Child Care Aware MN NW

08/23/2025

Here's your guide to finding online training options in Develop!

08/21/2025

Opportunity alert in Crookston!

🌟 We're Hiring! 🌟
Education Supervisor – Crookston, MN
📍 Tri-Valley Head Start
Are you passionate about early childhood education? Ready to lead, inspire, and make a real impact in your community? Tri-Valley Head Start is looking for a dynamic, energetic, and motivated Education Supervisor to join our team in Crookston, MN! Salary ranges from $53,113-$54,988, dependent upon qualifications and experience.
✨ What You’ll Do:
✅ Support and mentor teachers
✅ Drive curriculum excellence
✅ Foster a positive learning environment
✅ Help shape the future—one child at a time
💼 Why Join Us?
🌱 Growth opportunities
💡 Innovative team culture
💖 Meaningful work that changes lives
🎓 Perfect for educators ready to take the next step!
🏥401K/Roth, PTO Accrual, Paid Holidays, ESST, Health and Employer Paid Life/LTD, Optional benefits such as Dental, Vision, Aflac/Colonial Life and Short-Term Disability
📅 Apply today and be the difference!
🔗 www.tvoc.org/careers


Tri-Valley is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, s*x, s*xual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.

08/21/2025

🌟Parent Aware One-Star Rating Change🌟

Parent Aware is Minnesota’s quality rating and improvement system for child care and early learning programs. Effective July 1, 2026, all licensed child care providers that are in good standing with the state or their Tribe will receive a One-Star Parent Aware Rating unless they are already Rated or choose to opt out (Minnesota Statutes, section 142D.13, subdivision 2).

This change will align Minnesota's quality rating and licensing standards, simplify Parent Aware participation, and increase access to Early Learning Scholarships for families and providers.

This only impacts programs that are not Parent Aware Rated and programs that have a current One-Star Rating. If your program has a Two-Star Rating or higher, there is nothing you need to do.
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🌟🌟What do providers need to do? 🌟🌟
This change only impacts programs that are not Parent Aware Rated and programs that currently hold a One-Star Rating.
For providers that are not Parent Aware Rated, there are three options:
• Sign up now: Programs in good standing with the state or their Tribe can now sign an agreement to accept a One-Star Rating. By doing this, programs can participate in Early Learning Scholarships and will be featured on the Parent Aware website now. These programs will receive their One-Star Rating on July 1, 2026, when the change will automatically happen.
If you want to sign the agreement now, you can access the agreement in your Organization Profile in Develop. For more information about this process, please review the Develop guide called “Guide to the Automatic One-Star Rating Commitment Agreement ” that is available on the Develop homepage.
• Earn a higher Rating: Programs can apply for and earn a higher Star Rating. If you want a higher Rating, and to be eligible for more benefits, you can contact your local Parent Aware Recruiter for more information.
• Opt out: Licensed providers will be able to opt out of receiving the One-Star Rating. The process for receiving or opting out of the One-Star Rating effective July 1, 2026, is in development. More information is coming.
For providers that have a current One-Star Rating, there are three options:
• Maintain a One-Star Rating: Providers with a One-Star Rating will not be required to submit an application or Quality Documentation Portfolio for a One-Star Rating after July 1, 2026. To maintain a One-Star Rating, you do not have to do anything.
• Earn a higher Rating: Providers can apply for and earn a higher Star Rating. The current Indicators for the One-Star Rating will be incorporated into the rating process for the Two-Star Rating. An updated Quality Documentation Portfolio will be available soon. If you want a higher Rating, and to be eligible for more benefits, you can contact your local Parent Aware Recruiter for more information.
• Opt out: If you no longer want to participate in Parent Aware, you can opt out of receiving the One-Star Rating at any time. The process for receiving or opting out of the One-Star Rating effective July 1, 2026, is in development. More information is coming.
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🌟🌟How can providers learn more or get help? 🌟🌟

You can stay up to date on Parent Aware changes by visiting the News, Updates, and Engagements website for Parent Aware on the DCYF website by clicking here: https://dcyf.mn.gov/news-updates-and-engagements-parent-aware?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

If you have questions, contact your local Parent Aware Recruiter. For the Northwest District, email parentaware@caplp.org or call 218-979-0783.

08/20/2025

🌞🍓 End-of-Summer Snack Fun for Little Hands! 🍓🌞
Looking for a nutritious and fun way to wrap up summer? Try making Fruit Butterfly Snacks - a colorful, healthy treat they’ll love to create and eat!
🦋 What You’ll Need:
• Sliced strawberries, bananas, grapes, and/or blueberries
• Zip-top sandwich bags (wings)
• Clothespins (body)
• Pipe cleaners (antennae)
• Googly eyes, raisins or mini chocolate chips (eyes)
👩‍🍳 Assembly Instructions
1. Wash, dry all fruit, and cut larger fruits (like strawberries or bananas) into bite-sized pieces.
2. Let the kids help sort the fruit into bowls. It’s a great sorting activity, and encourages conversations about colors, shapes, flavors and healthy eating.
3. On the clothespin, add googly eyes or draw eyes with markers and twist a pipe cleaner around the top for antennae.
4. Open a zip-top bag, fill each side with a mix of colorful fruit.
5. Seal and pinch the center of the bag, and clip it with a clothespin. (This creates the butterfly shape with fruit wings on each side.)
6. After helping their butterflies fly around, open zip top bags and enjoy!
🌈It’s a snack, a craft, and a memory all in one. Feel free to share your little butterflies with us in the comments! 🦋💬
🌻

08/20/2025

📢📢📢Come learn about the Regional Grant!

Are you actively providing early learning services/child care to children ranging in age from birth to school-age?

Are you currently licensed with the Minnesota Department of Human Services or Tribal Government? OR are you legally license-exempt?

Then you are eligible for a Regional Grant!

🌟Register to attend a FREE workshop to learn about Regional Grants. We will cover the application process, what to expect, and application tips. There will also be time to answer questions.🌟

The Regional Grant application is available September 1st - September 25th each year. These funds help cover the cost of supplies, equipment, technology and training. Family Child Care programs are eligible for up to $1,000. Child Care Centers are eligible for up to $2,500.

All planned workshops will be done virtually through Zoom.
Grant workshop dates and times:
• Tuesday, August 19th, 10am - 11am
• Tuesday, August 19th, 7pm - 8pm
• Friday, August 22nd, 12:30pm - 1:30pm
• Monday, August 25th, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
• Thursday, August 28th, 1pm - 2pm
To register, click here: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=ipjHMU3yGUimx5lSecH-ctFY98LeOrtAtrz1mFnOQABUNkRTT1U4SDIwUVhZSkVHRE5TWUlURFhKQS4u&route=shorturl

08/19/2025

How do you teach social-emotional skills in your classroom?

08/18/2025

Here's your tip for the week! Encourage kids (and yourself) to practice "Darth Vader" breathing: Breathe in quietly through the nose, and breathe uot loudly through the mouth.

Controlling breath helps control the body when emotions get big.

08/16/2025

BENSON

Please join us for an upcoming training event!

Register on Develop ➡ https://app.developtoolmn.org/register.aspx?evid=446161

08/15/2025

🌟 Thinking about a career in early childhood education?
🌟Already working in the field and looking to grow?
The Empower to Educate program is here to support you every step of the way!
✅ Free training
✅ Career development support
✅ Personalized guidance from a Workforce Advisor
✅ Financial incentives
✅ Mentorship from experienced educators
📅 Join one of our upcoming Information Sessions on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of September and October:
🗓 9/3/25, 9/17/25, 10/1/25, 10/15/25
🕘 Sessions available at 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM each day at this Zoom link:
https://zoom.us/j/9577290992?pwd=R005eWNLV0RxMHdXdWhNMjRnd05VZz09
💬 Questions? Contact Brittany at brittanyb@caplp.org
Let’s build a stronger future for children—together!💪💖

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08/13/2025

🍉☀️ Watermelon Fun for Preschoolers! ☀️🍉
Looking for cool, healthy, and super simple summer snack ideas? Watermelon is a preschool favorite—sweet, juicy, and packed with hydration! 💦
Here are some ways to serve it:
✅ Watermelon Sticks – Cut into finger-sized spears for easy little hands to grab.
✅ Watermelon Pops – Freeze small chunks on popsicle sticks for a fun, cold treat.
✅ Watermelon Shapes – Use cookie cutters to make stars, hearts, or flowers!
✅ Watermelon Salad – Toss cubes with a sprinkle of blueberries for a colorful bowl.
💡 Bonus tip: Keep the watermelon chilled before serving—it makes snack time even more refreshing on a hot day!
🍉💛 Happy snacking, little friends! 💛🍉

08/12/2025

What's one activity that’s always a hit with your group?