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 Childhood Infrastructure, Policy Changes, and Reports

Many changes to early care and education policy passed this legislative session. In an attempt to organize and track the milestones ahead, we’ve created this blog post and accompanying ...

Child Care, child care policy, early care and learning policy, early childhood education, Early education, Great Start MN, high quality child care, Minnesota Legislature, Quality Child Care

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

What's in the Budget: Early Care and Education Workforce

It is no secret to those who work in or rely on child care that the field struggled even before the pandemic. The challenge of covering the actual costs ...

early childhood education, Early education, early learning in Minnesota, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Legislature

A Unique Experience: Reflections on This Year's Session

My interest in this internship was fueled by my love for early childhood education and deeply held belief that we have a civic duty to support young children and ...

early childhood education, Early education, early learning in Minnesota, high quality child care, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Legislature

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

Learning from a Distance: Reflections from 2021 Todd Otis Public Policy Interns

By: Helen Sabrowsky and Jacqueline Zhang, Todd Otis Public Policy Interns Hello from the 2021 Todd Otis Public Policy Interns, Helen and Jacqueline! It’s hard to believe that the 2021 legislative session is almost over, and with that, our time ...

early childhood education, Early Childhood Policy, early ed policy, internship, Minnesota Legislative Session, Minnesota Legislature, policy, Todd Otis

How to Connect with Your Minnesota Legislators

By Marie Huey, Public Policy & Advocacy Coordinator and Kieu My Phi, Public Policy Intern Talking to your legislators is great way to advocate for young children. Whether your goal ...

early learning in Minnesota, Minnesota Legislative Session, Minnesota Legislature, Minnesota politics

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

Policy Hour: Child Care

By Marie Huey, Policy and Advocacy Coordinator Staff from the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) joined us for February’s Ann Kaner-Roth Policy Hour to provide updates on child care. ...

Child Care Assistance Program, Child Care Development Block Grant, Child Care in Minnesota, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Children's Cabinet, Minnesota Department of Human Services, Minnesota Legislature, Policy Hour, preschool

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

Guest Post: Elders Provide Historical Context on Minnesota's Early Care and Education Landscape

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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

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 ...

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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

Policy Hour: Legislative Wrap-Up

By Marie Huey, Public Policy and Advocacy Coordinator The 2018 legislative session ended on May 22. To explain the implications for the early care and education field, two experts joined ...

Child Care, early childhood education, Early education, Early Learning, early learning in Minnesota, Family Child Care, Governor Mark Dayton, high quality child care, Kindergarten Readiness, Minnesota Legislative Session, Minnesota Legislature, 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 ...

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Early Learning Scholarships Help Children & Families

“Please continue funding programs such as early childhood scholarships. It definitely makes a difference. It allows kids to get that extra boost in the beginning so they stay on track ...

early childhood education, Early Education Policies, Early Learning, early learning in Minnesota, early learning minnesota, Early Learning Scholarships, high quality child care, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Legislature, Parent Aware

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

Policy Hour: Previewing the 2018 Legislative Session

By Marie Huey, Public Policy and Advocacy Coordinator Facts and speculation both made appearances at February’s Ann Kaner-Roth Policy Hour at Think Small in Minneapolis, and Sara(h)s abounded. Sarah Orange, ...

Child Care Assistance Program, Child Care Development Block Grant, early childhood education, Early Education Policies, early learning in Minnesota, Early Learning Scholarships, high quality child care, Minnesota Legislative Session, 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

Policy Hour - Early Childhood Data

By Marie Huey, Public Policy and Advocacy Coordinator January Policy Hour started with a special announcement: the event is now named the Ann Kaner-Roth Policy Hour. Ann served as the ...

Child Care, Early education, Early Education Policies, early learning in Minnesota, Family Child Care, high quality child care, Kindergarten Readiness, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Legislature, Policy Hour, Quality Child Care

Policies in Play: Child Care Assistance Program Changes

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, Child Care Assistance Program, Child Care Development Block Grant, early childhood education, Early education, Early Education Policies, high quality child care, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Legislative Session, Minnesota Legislature, 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

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

West Central Minnesota Child Care Providers Benefit from Forgivable Loans

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, Child Care Shortage, DEED, Early education, Early Education Policies, early learning in Minnesota, Economic Development, high quality child care, infants and toddlers, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Legislature, Parent Aware

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

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

Policy Hour Breaks Down End of Legislative Session

The Minnesota’s Future June Policy Hour reviewed the 2016 legislative session, combing through a list of proposals that passed, did not pass, and some that still may pass if a ...

Early education, Early Education Policies, early learning in Minnesota, Minnesota Legislature, Minnesota's future

What are People Saying About Parent Aware?

In print and social media, Parent Aware has been a hot topic in the past couple of weeks. Parent Aware is Minnesota’s early education Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). ...

Early education, Minnesota Legislature, Parent Aware

From Cars to Early Care and Education: Getting the Data We Need to Make the Best Decisions

By: Nancy Jost, Early Childhood Coordinator for West Central Initiative Remember the last time you bought a car? I’m guessing you started by thinking about what is best for you and ...

Early CHildhood, Minnesota, Minnesota Legislature

Army Generals Urge Minnesota Legislature to Support Parent Aware

A group of high ranking military generals residing in Minnesota sent a letter to legislators encouraging them to invest in Parent Aware, Minnesota’s quality rating system for all early learning ...

Early Education Policies, early learning in Minnesota, Minnesota Legislature, Parent Aware

County by County, Here’s What Child Care Looks Like Across Minnesota

We must close gaps first by supporting early learning programs already in place to reach our most at risk children. Child Care is an essential and large piece of this ...

Child Care Assistance Program, Child Care by County Minnesota, Early Learning numbers by county, Early Learning Scholarships, Minnesota Legislature, Parent Aware

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

The Wisest Choices Minnesota Can Make for Early Learning

By: Barbara Yates, President and CEO of Think Small We’ve heard it before. If everything is your priority, then nothing is your priority. Show me your budget, and I’ll tell ...

Barbara Yates, Early education, Early Learning, Early Learning Scholarships, Minnesota Legislature, Minnesota politics, Parent Aware

Make a Difference During Week of the Young Child 2016

The Week of the Young Child is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) celebrating early learning, young children, their teachers and ...

#woyc2016, Early Learning, Meet with my legislator, Minnesota Legislature, Week of the Young Child

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

Think Small Announces 2016 Legislative Agenda

Think Small is dedicated to continue improving the early learning landscape across Minnesota, impacting the lives of children and the future of our state and starting with the children who ...

early learning in Minnesota, Early Learning Scholarships, Minnesota Legislative Session, Minnesota Legislature

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

Pheng's Story: Spreading the Impact of Parent Empowerment

This is the third in a series of videos showing the impact high-quality early learning has on children, families and child care providers across Minnesota. Check back here for a new ...

early learning in Minnesota, Minnesota Hmong Community, Minnesota Legislature

Blog, News & Events

Insights, Ideas, and Resources for Early Learning

When is it Happening: Early Childhood Infrastructure, Policy Changes, and Reports

When Is It Happening: Early Learning Scholarships

What's in the Budget: Early Care and Education Workforce

A Unique Experience: Reflections on This Year's Session

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

Learning from a Distance: Reflections from 2021 Todd Otis Public Policy Interns

How to Connect with Your Minnesota Legislators

Policy Hour - Budget Forecast and Census

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

Policy Hour: Child Care

Guest Post: Elders Reflect on Evaluation of Early Childhood Programs

Guest Post: Elders Provide Historical Context on Minnesota's Early Care and Education Landscape

Early Learning Council Submits Recommendations to Governor

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?

Policy Hour: Legislative Wrap-Up

Six Lessons from the Todd Otis Public Policy Internship

Early Learning Scholarships Help Children & Families

Meet the First Todd Otis Public Policy Intern: Emma Klingler

Guest Post: Creating Equitable Early Learning Policies

Policy Hour: Previewing the 2018 Legislative Session

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

Policy Hour - Early Childhood Data

Policies in Play: Child Care Assistance Program Changes

Children Experiencing Homelessness Benefit from Early Learning Scholarship Changes

Families First: Connecting Southern MN Children with Early Learning Scholarships

Policy Hour: Early Education Policy and Funding Changes

West Central Minnesota Child Care Providers Benefit from Forgivable Loans

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!

Minnesota Early Learning Organizations Present Policy Agendas at January Policy Hour

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

Policy Hour Breaks Down End of Legislative Session

What are People Saying About Parent Aware?

From Cars to Early Care and Education: Getting the Data We Need to Make the Best Decisions

Army Generals Urge Minnesota Legislature to Support Parent Aware

County by County, Here’s What Child Care Looks Like Across Minnesota

Modest Investment in Parent Aware Yields Big Benefits for Kids

The Wisest Choices Minnesota Can Make for Early Learning

Make a Difference During Week of the Young Child 2016

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

Think Small Announces 2016 Legislative Agenda

New Evaluation Highlights Positive Impact of Early Learning Scholarships

Pheng's Story: Spreading the Impact of Parent Empowerment

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