Blog, News & Events

Insights, Ideas, and Resources for Early Learning

Welcome to the Think Small Blog, your go-to destination for valuable insights, innovative ideas, and inspiring stories in the field of early learning. Dive into a treasure trove of articles crafted by our team of experts, dedicated to empowering child care providers, educators, and families.

Discover practical tips, evidence-based strategies, and the latest research findings to support children aged 0-5 on their journey to kindergarten readiness. From fostering social-emotional development to promoting cognitive skills, our blog covers a wide range of topics, ensuring you stay informed and equipped to make a positive impact on young lives.

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When Is It Happening: Early Learning Scholarships

Early Learning Scholarships will see significant changes in the months and years ahead. Early Learning Scholarships give low-income families financial support to help pay for quality early care and ...

Child Care, Early education, Early Learning, early learning in Minnesota, Early Learning Scholarships, infants and toddlers, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislature, Quality Child Care

Reflection and Advice: 2023 Todd Otis Public Policy Internship

The events that occur early on in life can alter its future. Because of this, it is vital that every child in every community has a pathway to success. ...

Child Care, early childhood education, Early education, early learning in Minnesota, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislature, Quality Child Care

2023 Early Care and Education Legislation

There’s now a clearer picture of what will become law in 2023. When it comes to early care and education, there is a lot! We’re still digesting, but here’s ...

Child Care, early childhood education, Early education, Early Learning, early learning in Minnesota, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislature

What’s in the Budget: Early Learning Scholarships

House File 2292, the early education omnibus bill, passed both the House and Senate and was signed into law by Governor Walz. This bill contains new investments and policy ...

Child Care, early childhood education, Early Learning, early learning in Minnesota, high quality child care, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislature, Quality Child Care

Early Care and Education in the Omnibus Bills

State legislators are on Spring Break, and omnibus budget bills are available. An omnibus bill is made up of many other bills centered on a specific topic. State legislators ...

Child Care, early childhood education, Early education, early learning in Minnesota, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislature, Quality Child Care

Early Care and Education Efforts in Progress

The 2023 State Legislative Session is officially underway. Legislators are meeting with constituents, bills are being drafted and introduced, and committees are holding hearings! Legislative leaders and Governor Walz ...

Child Care, early childhood education, Early Learning, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislature, Quality Child Care

Policy Hour - Budget Forecast and Census

March’s Policy Hour provided an update on the state budget forecast, and the importance of participating in the upcoming census. State Budget Forecast Betsy Hammer, from the MN Budget Project, ...

2020 census, minnesota early education, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislature, Policy Hour

Policy Hour: State Budget Forecast & Governor's Budget Proposal

By Marie Huey, Public Policy and Advocacy Coordinator The March edition of Ann Kaner-Roth Policy Hour covered the state budget forecast and the Governor’s budget proposal. February Budget Forecast Betsy ...

Governor Tim Walz, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislative Session, Minnesota Legislature

Guest Post: Elders Reflect on Evaluation of Early Childhood Programs

Submitted by Jane Kretzmann, on behalf of Elders for Infants (Glenace Edwall, Dave Ellis, Sandy Heidemann, Jim Nicholie, Glen Palm, and Katie Williams). Elders for Infants is comprised of professionals ...

early childhood education, Early education, early learning in Minnesota, Kindergarten Readiness, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislature

Early Learning Council Submits Recommendations to Governor

Early Learning Council members are responsible for providing recommendations to the Governor and Legislature on how to create a high-quality, early childhood system in Minnesota that will help improve outcomes ...

Child Care, Child Care in Minnesota, Early Learning Council, early learning in Minnesota, minnesota early education, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Governor, Minnesota Legislature

Policy Hour: Play, Parents and Policy

By Marie Huey, Public Policy and Advocacy Coordinator The November Ann Kaner-Roth Policy Hour focused on play, parents and policy. One of the presenters was Katy Smith, a Parent Educator who ...

Child Care, early childhood education, early childhood education minnesota, Early education, Early Education Policies, Family Child Care, infants and toddlers, Kindergarten Readiness, Minnesota Early Learning, Play, Toddlers

Child Care Assistance Makes a Difference: Aaron's Story

Minnesota’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) helps make child care affordable for income-eligible families. This can often be life-changing for children and parents, as it was for the Santamaria Mendez family. Four-year-old Aaron Santamaria ...

Child Care, Child Care Assistance Program, early childhood education, Early education, early learning in Minnesota, high quality child care, Kindergarten Readiness, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Parent Aware, Quality Child Care

Small Talks: True Costs to Families and Early Child Care Educators

Small Talks features leaders who share key insights on early childhood education and discuss innovative solutions to early learning issues in Minnesota. Inadequate investment, scholarship caps, complicated funding streams, and ...

achievement gap, early childhood education, Early education, Early Education Policies, Early Learning Scholarships, Economic Development, Family Child Care, Kindergarten Readiness, minnesota achievement gap, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislature, Minnesota Opportunity Gap, Parent Aware, Quality Child Care

Policy Hour: What Did We Do Over the Summer?

By Marie Huey, Public Policy and Advocacy Coordinator Kids were on vacation this summer, but many adults didn’t have time for a break. October’s Ann Kaner-Roth Policy Hour got us ...

early childhood education, early childhood education minnesota, Early Education Policies, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Children's Cabinet, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislature, Minnesota's future, Quality Child Care

Learning from the Data We Seek

Think Small’s mission as a nonprofit is to advance quality care and education of children in their crucial early years. We do this by preparing providers, strengthening families and catalyzing ...

Child Care, early childhood education, Early Education Policies, early learning in Minnesota, Early Learning Scholarships, Equity in Minnesota, Family Child Care, high quality child care, infants and toddlers, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislature, Nonprofit, Parent Aware, Quality Child Care

Early Learning Scholarships Change Lives

“This opportunity wasn’t just good for her, and amazing for her, but it was also amazing for me. And if it’s amazing for me, it’s amazing for our little family.” ...

early childhood education, Early Education Policies, Early Learning, early learning in Minnesota, Early Learning Scholarships, Kindergarten Readiness, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislature, Nonprofit

An Encouraging Find: Another Potential Benefit of Parent Aware

“The survey results show that Parent Aware-rated programs across all parts of Minnesota were twice as likely to have stayed in business than non-rated programs.” High-quality early learning, as defined ...

Child Care, early childhood education, Early education, Early Learning, early learning in Minnesota, Early Learning Scholarships, Family Child Care, high quality child care, infants and toddlers, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislature, Nonprofit, Parent Aware, Quality Child Care

How Do 2018 Candidates Interact with Early Education?

By Marie Huey, Public Policy and Advocacy Coordinator Every eligible Minnesota voter will have the opportunity to make their choice for statewide and federal offices this November. What authority do ...

early childhood education, early ed minnesota, Early Education Policies, early learning in Minnesota, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Children's Cabinet, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislative Session, Minnesota Legislature, Minnesota politics, Minnesota's future

Six Lessons from the Todd Otis Public Policy Internship

By: Emma Klingler Greetings! You may remember me from the blog post introducing me back in March. My tenure as the Todd Otis Public Policy Intern for Think Small is nearly ...

early childhood education, early childhood education minnesota, Early education, high quality child care, Kindergarten Readiness, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislative Session, Minnesota Legislature, Nonprofit, Quality Child Care

Say Thanks to a Child Care Provider!

Happy Child Care Provider Appreciation Day! Today, we recognize the millions of child care providers across the nation who give their time, experience, concern, and skills to our littlest learners ...

brain development, early childhood education, Early education, Early Education Spotlight, high quality child care, infants and toddlers, Kindergarten Readiness, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Quality Child Care

Meet the First Todd Otis Public Policy Intern: Emma Klingler

Think Small’s first Todd Otis Public Policy Internship is underway. The internship is a unique opportunity to learn firsthand about Minnesota’s early learning policy and advocacy landscape. Todd Otis’ lifelong ...

high quality child care, internship, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislative Session, Minnesota Legislature, Minnesota politics, Nonprofit, public policy, Todd Otis

Guest Post: Creating Equitable Early Learning Policies

Many organizations and individuals are seeking equitable policies and solutions to address persistent inequality. We can no longer support systems that created inequity and maintain inequity. By Voices and Choices ...

early childhood education, Early Learning, early learning in Minnesota, early learning minnesota, Equity in Minnesota, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislature

Attend a Precinct Caucus and Submit a Resolution to Support Early Learning

By Marie Huey, Public Policy and Advocacy Coordinator On Tuesday, February 6 at 7:00 p.m., Minnesota will hold precinct caucuses around the state. They are the beginning of a process that ...

Early Education Policies, Early Learning, early learning in Minnesota, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislature, Minnesota politics, Quality Child Care

Small Talks - Don't Expel Me: Social Emotional Strategies for a More Inclusive Child Care Program

Small Talks features leaders who share key insights on early childhood education and discuss innovative solutions to early learning issues in Minnesota. By Kristie Thorson, Communications Specialist The third Small ...

early childhood education, Early Education Policies, early learning in Minnesota, Equity in Minnesota, Family Child Care, high quality child care, Kindergarten Readiness, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Nonprofit

Early Education Spotlight: People Serving People

Early Education Spotlight is an ongoing series that showcases great work happening in high-quality child care and preschool settings across Minnesota. From innovative early learning programs to parent perspectives on ...

Child Care, early childhood education, Early education, Early Education Spotlight, Early Learning Scholarships, infants and toddlers, minnesota achievement gap, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Quality Child Care

Policy Hour - Improving the Early Childhood Workforce

By Marie Huey, Public Policy and Advocacy Coordinator December Policy Hour presenters shared information about state and national initiatives that are working to enhance and improve the early childhood workforce. ...

early childhood education, Early education, Early Learning, early learning in Minnesota, Family Child Care, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota's future, Quality Child Care

Early Education Spotlight: The Teddy Bear House

Child Care, early childhood education, Early Learning, Early Learning Scholarships, Family Child Care, Greater Minnesota, high quality child care, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Parent Aware, Quality Child Care

Policy Hour - Changes to Child Care in Minnesota

Staff from the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) presented at November Policy Hour about the changes to child care in Minnesota. During the 2017 legislative session, many changes ...

Child Care, Child Care Assistance Program, Family Child Care, high quality child care, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Parent Aware, Quality Child Care

Children Experiencing Homelessness Benefit from Early Learning Scholarship Changes

Early Learning Scholarships allow children ages 3-5 from low-income families to attend high-quality early learning programs. During the 2017 legislative session, lawmakers made a change to allow children 0-5 from ...

early childhood education, Early Learning Scholarships, high quality child care, infants and toddlers, Kindergarten Readiness, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislature, Quality Child Care

Early Sprouts: Growing Great Gardeners

By Kristie Thorson, Communications Specialist There is much more ‘being planted’ in this backyard then simple seeds and seedlings. These Minnesota children, along with their family child care provider, are ...

Cargill, Early education, early learning in Minnesota, Early Sprouts, Gardening, high quality child care, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Parent Aware

Families First: Connecting Southern MN Children with Early Learning Scholarships

The Policies in Play series takes a closer look at the recently passed state legislative policies that affect early care and education. We work with partners to find out what ...

early childhood education, Early Learning, Early Learning Scholarships, high quality child care, Kindergarten Readiness, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislative Session, Minnesota Legislature, Parent Aware

Policy Hour: Early Education Policy and Funding Changes

By Marie Huey, Public Policy and Advocacy Coordinator Representatives from the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) presented at the first Policy Hour of the season. June Reineke and Amanda Varley ...

Child Care, Early education, Early Learning Scholarships, high quality child care, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Education, Minnesota Legislative Session, Minnesota Legislature, Minnesota's future, Quality Child Care

Early Education Spotlight - Here We Grow

By Marie Huey, Public Policy & Advocacy Coordinator Video by Kristie Thorson, Communications Specialist Early Education Spotlight is an ongoing series that showcases great work happening in high-quality child care ...

Child Care, early learning in Minnesota, high quality child care, Kindergarten Readiness, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Parent Aware

Northeastern Minnesota Addresses Child Care Shortage

The Policies in Play series takes a closer look at the recently passed state legislative policies that affect early care and education. We work with partners to find out what ...

Child Care Shortage, DEED Grants, Early Education Policies, Economic Development, Greater Minnesota, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Parent Aware, Quality Child Care

Early Education Spotlight: Stepping Stones Childcare Learning Center, Inc

By: Marie Huey Early Education Spotlight is an ongoing series that showcases great work happening in high-quality child care and preschool settings across Minnesota. From innovative early learning programs to ...

Child Care, early childhood education, Early Learning, high quality child care, Kindergarten Readiness, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Parent Aware, Quality Child Care

The Triple Bottom Line of Child Care

The Policies in Play series takes a closer look at the recently passed state legislative policies that affect early care and education. We work with partners to find out what ...

Early Education Policies, Economic Development, Economy, Employment, high quality child care, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Quality Child Care

Early Learning Scholarships Are Critical for Children in Child Protection

The Policies in Play series takes a closer look at the recently passed state legislative policies that affect early care and education. We work with partners to find out what ...

#policiesinplay, brain development, Child Care Assistance Program, Early Learning Scholarships, high quality child care, Kindergarten Readiness, minnesota achievement gap, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislature, Minnesota Opportunity Gap, Safe Passage for Children

Policies in Play

Join us on the playground as we explore Policies in Play! Think Small believes that placing a priority on children and their families through access to high quality early childhood ...

#policiesinplay, achievement gap, Child Care, Child Care Assistance Program, Child Care Development Block Grant, Early Learning Scholarships, Equity in Minnesota, Greater Minnesota, high quality child care, Kindergarten Readiness, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislature, Minnesota Opportunity Gap, Parent Aware

Seven Reasons to be Optimistic About Early Learning in Minnesota

By Todd Otis The benefits of giving children access to high-quality early learning have been proven beyond a doubt. Nobody has been able to dispute that targeted investment in quality ...

early learning in Minnesota, high quality child care, Kindergarten Readiness, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislature

Early Learning Investment - Turn Up the Volume!

By Todd Otis The early childhood movement has come a long way in the past twenty years, and has a long way to go. The public now understands the importance ...

early learning in Minnesota, Early Learning Scholarships, high quality child care, infants and toddlers, Kindergarten Readiness, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislative Session, Minnesota Legislature, Minnesota Opportunity Gap

Policy Hour: Parent Aware Changes & Legislative Update

The final Policy Hour of the season was a double dose of early education information! We heard about changes to Parent Aware and received an end of legislative session update. ...

Child Care, early childhood education, Early education, Early Education Policies, Early Learning, Family Child Care, high quality child care, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning

Legislative Wrap-Up: How did Early Learning Fare?

Minnesota legislators wrapped up the special session last week, and the Governor signed budget bills into law. Read about the new policies and programs that affect early learning throughout the ...

Early education, Early Education Policies, Early Learning, Early Learning Scholarships, Family Child Care, high quality child care, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislative Session

A Legislative Update: Early Learning a Policy Priority for State

It is great that early learning is a policy priority for the state, and it’s encouraging to hear it continue to be discussed. In a year of $1.6 billion surplus, ...

early childhood education minnesota, Early education, Early Education Policies, Early Learning Scholarships, Governor Mark Dayton, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislative Session, mnleg

Using LENA to Help Close the Word Gap

By: Gerri Fisher This month marks one year since the start of the Think Small blog. To celebrate, we’re using January to highlight information and initiatives from Think Small and ...

Early education, early literacy, Infants, infants and toddlers, LENA, LENA Start Program, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Opportunity Gap, Toddlers, word gap

Minnesota Early Learning Organizations Present Policy Agendas at January Policy Hour

The 2017 Minnesota Legislative Session is underway! January Policy Hour brought us up to speed on the policy priorities of the organizations in the Minnesota’s Future coalition and the Voices and Choices ...

Child Care Assistance Program, Child Care in Minnesota, Early Education Policies, Early Learning Policy, Equity, Equity in Minnesota, Head Start, Home Visiting, Minnesota, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislature, Minnesota's future, Policy Hour, Quality Child Care

Prenatal to Three Policy Forums: Working Together for A Great Start

This month marks one year since the start of the Think Small blog. To celebrate, we’re using January to highlight information and initiatives from Think Small and our partners about ...

0 to 3, brain development, Dave Pinto, high quality child care, Infants, infants and toddlers, Minnesota, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislative Session, Minnesota Legislature, Minnesota Opportunity Gap, St. Paul, Toddlers

Early Education Spotlight: Daryeel Group Home Daycare

By: Marie Huey Early Education Spotlight is an ongoing series that showcases great work happening in child care and preschool settings across Minnesota. From innovative early learning programs to parent ...

Child Care, early childhood education, Early Education Spotlight, Kindergarten Readiness, Minneapolis, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Parent Aware

Early Education Spotlight: Bloom Early Learning and Child Care

Bloom Early Learning, Child Care in Minnesota, Early education, high quality child care, Kindergarten Readiness, Minnesota, Minnesota Early Learning, Parent Aware, Plymouth

Policy Hour Highlights New Federal Rules in Head Start and Child Care

New federal policy changes will affect the Minnesota early learning field. November Policy Hour featured staff from the state departments of Education and Human Services sharing updates about the changes.

CCAP, CCDBG, Child Care, Child Care Assistance Program, Child Care Development Block Grant, Head Start, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota's future, Policy Hour

Early Education Spotlight: Achcha's Daycare

Early Education Spotlight, Family Child Care, Hennepin County, Minnesota Early Learning, Montessori, Parent Aware, Richfield

Word Pedometers Brought to Minneapolis to Help Close Word Gap

By: Maya Fanjul-Debnam Minnesota is heralding in an innovative program to help close the word gap. The word gap–a 30 million word deficit between children from low income families and ...

brain development, Child Care, closing word gap, early literacy, LENA Research Foundation, LENA Start Program, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Education, Minnesota Opportunity Gap, Quality Child Care, word gap

Voters Agree: Early Education is a Top Priority

By: Maya Fanjul-Debnam In this current political climate, tensions are running high between parties, and it appears as if there’s nothing we can agree on. Nothing that is, except early ...

bipartisan, bipartisan support, Child Care, Early education, Early Education Policies, early learning minnesota, high quality child care, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Quality Child Care

Think Small Bringing Cutting Edge Program for Child Care to Clinton Global Initiative America Meeting

Think Small is thrilled to share new, cutting edge approaches to reducing opportunity and achievement gaps at the 2016 Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) America meeting in Atlanta this month. It’s ...

Child Care, Clinton Global Initiative, Commitment to Action, Minnesota Early Learning

Help Me Grow Hoping to Expand Scope in Minnesota

Kelly Monson, Minnesota’s Children’s Cabinet Program Manager, talked about Help Me Grow at May’s policy hour. The purpose of Help Me Grow is to promote healthy development in children prenatal ...

Help Me Grow, Minnesota Children's Cabinet, Minnesota Early Learning

Modest Investment in Parent Aware Yields Big Benefits for Kids

By: Ericca Maas, Executive Director of Parent Aware for School Readiness When it comes to early learning, I’ve never met an early educator who didn’t want the best for the kids ...

Ericca Maas, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislature, Parent Aware

Parent Aware is the Backbone of Early Learning in Minnesota

Minnesota is grappling with a tough question: How do we best improve the early learning landscape in our state? It’s important to note that this question presumes an acceptance of ...

Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislative Session, Parent Aware, Quality Child Care

Minnesota's $900 Million Surplus is Opportunity to Invest in Kids who Need Help the Most

Minnesota Management and Budget released Minnesota’s economic forecast this morning, and the state’s surplus has decreased slightly to $900 million for the next budget cycle. The November economic forecast expected ...

Child Care, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislature, Minnesota Surplus

Quality of Early Childhood Programs Improving with Parent Aware

Children attending a Parent Aware rated program are making significant gains in the skills they need to succeed in kindergarten, according to a third party evaluation of the Minnesota programs.

Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Parent Aware

CCAP, Early Learning Scholarships Key to Equity Conversation at #CYIB16

The 2016 Children and Youth Issues Briefing this week featured an important and inspiring conversation about the future of early learning in Minnesota.

Children and Youth Issues Briefing, Equity in Minnesota, Legislative session, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota legislative preview

Three Tips for Eating Healthy with Kids

Preschool age children develop eating habits they will practice for the rest of their lives, so they are at an ideal age to experience and learn about healthy eating. At ...

Child Care, Early Sprouts, Healthy eating for kids, Minnesota Early Learning

Early Learning Scholarship Helps Prepare Child for Kindergarten

Meet Lisa Wilson. She is a single mother to a rambunctious 4 year-old. They try hard to make ends meet every month, but sometimes it just didn’t work out. Child ...

Early Learning Scholarship, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Opportunity Gap

MNStreams.org Changing to Develop in Summer 2016

Beginning July 1, 2016, MNStreams.org – Child Care Aware of Minnesota’s current online catalog for face-to-face trainings – will no longer be accessible. In its place, early learning and school-age ...

Child Care Trainings, Early Learning Professional Development, Minnesota Early Learning

New Evaluation Highlights Positive Impact of Early Learning Scholarships

The Minnesota Department of Education delivered an evaluation of Early Learning Scholarships to the Minnesota Legislature this week, which found that children who receive Early Learning Scholarships are making significant ...

Early Learning Scholarships, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislature

Blog, News & Events

Insights, Ideas, and Resources for Early Learning

When Is It Happening: Early Learning Scholarships

Reflection and Advice: 2023 Todd Otis Public Policy Internship

2023 Early Care and Education Legislation

What’s in the Budget: Early Learning Scholarships

Early Care and Education in the Omnibus Bills

Early Care and Education Efforts in Progress

Policy Hour - Budget Forecast and Census

Policy Hour: State Budget Forecast & Governor's Budget Proposal

Guest Post: Elders Reflect on Evaluation of Early Childhood Programs

Early Learning Council Submits Recommendations to Governor

Policy Hour: Play, Parents and Policy

Child Care Assistance Makes a Difference: Aaron's Story

Small Talks: True Costs to Families and Early Child Care Educators

Policy Hour: What Did We Do Over the Summer?

Learning from the Data We Seek

Early Learning Scholarships Change Lives

An Encouraging Find: Another Potential Benefit of Parent Aware

How Do 2018 Candidates Interact with Early Education?

Six Lessons from the Todd Otis Public Policy Internship

Say Thanks to a Child Care Provider!

Meet the First Todd Otis Public Policy Intern: Emma Klingler

Guest Post: Creating Equitable Early Learning Policies

Attend a Precinct Caucus and Submit a Resolution to Support Early Learning

Small Talks - Don't Expel Me: Social Emotional Strategies for a More Inclusive Child Care Program

Early Education Spotlight: People Serving People

Policy Hour - Improving the Early Childhood Workforce

Early Education Spotlight: The Teddy Bear House

Policy Hour - Changes to Child Care in Minnesota

Children Experiencing Homelessness Benefit from Early Learning Scholarship Changes

Early Sprouts: Growing Great Gardeners

Families First: Connecting Southern MN Children with Early Learning Scholarships

Policy Hour: Early Education Policy and Funding Changes

Early Education Spotlight - Here We Grow

Northeastern Minnesota Addresses Child Care Shortage

Early Education Spotlight: Stepping Stones Childcare Learning Center, Inc

The Triple Bottom Line of Child Care

Early Learning Scholarships Are Critical for Children in Child Protection

Policies in Play

Seven Reasons to be Optimistic About Early Learning in Minnesota

Early Learning Investment - Turn Up the Volume!

Policy Hour: Parent Aware Changes & Legislative Update

Legislative Wrap-Up: How did Early Learning Fare?

A Legislative Update: Early Learning a Policy Priority for State

Using LENA to Help Close the Word Gap

Minnesota Early Learning Organizations Present Policy Agendas at January Policy Hour

Prenatal to Three Policy Forums: Working Together for A Great Start

Early Education Spotlight: Daryeel Group Home Daycare

Early Education Spotlight: Bloom Early Learning and Child Care

Policy Hour Highlights New Federal Rules in Head Start and Child Care

Early Education Spotlight: Achcha's Daycare

Word Pedometers Brought to Minneapolis to Help Close Word Gap

Voters Agree: Early Education is a Top Priority

Think Small Bringing Cutting Edge Program for Child Care to Clinton Global Initiative America Meeting

Help Me Grow Hoping to Expand Scope in Minnesota

Modest Investment in Parent Aware Yields Big Benefits for Kids

Parent Aware is the Backbone of Early Learning in Minnesota

Minnesota's $900 Million Surplus is Opportunity to Invest in Kids who Need Help the Most

Quality of Early Childhood Programs Improving with Parent Aware

CCAP, Early Learning Scholarships Key to Equity Conversation at #CYIB16

Three Tips for Eating Healthy with Kids

Early Learning Scholarship Helps Prepare Child for Kindergarten

MNStreams.org Changing to Develop in Summer 2016

New Evaluation Highlights Positive Impact of Early Learning Scholarships

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