For Families
Searching for Child Care and Early Education
Parent Aware gives families the tools they need to identify and search for quality child care and early education. Use the free online search tool to choose from more than 12,000 licensed child care and early education programs in Minnesota. Adjust criteria like location, hours of operation, and ages served (0-12) to get customized results based on your needs. Licensed programs can also share current openings and rates to help simplify your search.
Call our statewide hotline at 888.291.9811 or use the chat feature on our website to speak with a Parent Services Specialist for a personalized consultation. Our trusted staff, with years of child care experience, can help answer your questions, narrow down your search, and guide you to other valuable resources.
Helpful Guides and Resources
Our Parent Toolkit offers important interview questions and tips to consider as you visit child care programs. After you’ve selected a program, use the Toolkit for ideas to stay involved and engaged with your child’s provider. You can request a free copy of the Parent Toolkit – which is available in English, Spanish, Hmong, and Somali.
Parent Aware is also home to several helpful guides to help you make more informed child care decisions. We cover important topics like different types of care and education, health and safety, and licensing.
For Licensed Child Care Programs
Parent Aware
Parent Aware helps programs find opportunities to improve their quality, supports them with the tools and resources they need to succeed, and celebrates the work they are doing to create better lives for children in Minnesota.
To learn more about the Star Rating process and the benefits involved for both your program and the families you serve, visit ParentAware.org or connect with your local recruiter by using the contact button below or calling 507-516-0668.
Update Tool
Parent Aware has launched an online Update Tool — the fastest and easiest way to complete the Provider Business Update and update your public ParentAware.org profile, including your current openings by age group! More information, including first-time activation instructions, is available on the Parent Aware website.
*Please note: you do not need a Parent Aware Rating to use the Update Tool.