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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What is this 7% thing all about?

If you’ve used the Child Care Cost Calculator and you’re left wondering: How the heck would all of this work? This blog post is for you! Think Small created the ...

Mixed Delivery, Parent Aware, Parent Resources

2024 Minnesota Early Childhood Reports

If 2023 was the year of legislative activity for child care in Minnesota, 2024 is the year of reports! As projects from the 2023 session get underway and existing projects ...

Child Care Legislation, Child Care Shortage, DEED (Department of Employment and Economic Development), DHS (Department of Human Services), MDE (Minnesota Department of Education), Parent Aware

Putting Technology in the Hands of Child Care Providers and Children

Access to technology is important to those working in the early childhood field. Laptops and tablets help small business owners, like child care providers, improve their skills, grow their business, ...

Hennepin County, Parent Aware, technology

Early Education Spotlight: Buttons & Bows Child Care

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

Child Care, early childhood education, early childhood education minnesota, Early Education Spotlight, early learning in Minnesota, Family Child Care, Family Child Care Providers, Parent Aware

Early Education Spotlight - My Friends Christian Child Care and Preschool

Child Care, early childhood education, early childhood education minnesota, Early Education Spotlight, early learning in Minnesota, Family Child Care, Family Child Care Providers, Nature Certified Backyard, Parent Aware

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

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

Guest Post: Candidates for Governor Speak Out About Early Education Issues

By Ericca Maas, Close Gaps by 5 My organization is focused on closing Minnesota’s worst-in-the-nation achievement gaps, which means closing the early education opportunity gaps facing the 35,000 low-income Minnesota ...

achievement gap, Child Care, early care and education, Early education, Early Learning Scholarships, Equity in Minnesota, Minnesota Governor, Minnesota Opportunity Gap, Parent Aware, Quality Child Care

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

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

Early Education Spotlight: Big Red House

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, early learning in Minnesota, Family Child Care, high quality child care, Parent Aware, 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

Think Small Offers Free Information Sessions for Parent Aware Participation

By Susan Schaffhausen In 2017, Think Small undertook new efforts to increase the number of child care providers who devote their care to ensuring children’s health, safety, and best practices ...

Child Care, early childhood education, Early Learning, high quality child care, Parent Aware, 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

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

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 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

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

Free Early Childhood Text Messaging Program Offered to Minnesota Parents

Child Care Providers Can Meet Parent Aware Requirement by Encouraging Families to Sign Up When Woodbury parent Amy Raleigh heads to the store with her 4-year old daughter Fiona, she ...

Kindergarten Readiness, Parent Aware, Parent Powered Texts, Parent Resources

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

Early Education Spotlight: Little Learners

Ada, Child Care, Early education, Early Learning, early learning in Minnesota, Early Learning Scholarships, high-quality, Little Learners, Minnesota, Parent Aware

Early Education Spotlight: Achcha's Daycare

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

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

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

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

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

Blog, News & Events

Insights, Ideas, and Resources for Early Learning

What is this 7% thing all about?

2024 Minnesota Early Childhood Reports

Putting Technology in the Hands of Child Care Providers and Children

Early Education Spotlight: Buttons & Bows Child Care

Early Education Spotlight - My Friends Christian Child Care and Preschool

Child Care Assistance Makes a Difference: Aaron's Story

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

Learning from the Data We Seek

Guest Post: Candidates for Governor Speak Out About Early Education Issues

An Encouraging Find: Another Potential Benefit of Parent Aware

Early Learning Scholarships Help Children & Families

Early Education Spotlight: Big Red House

Early Education Spotlight: The Teddy Bear House

Policy Hour - Changes to Child Care in Minnesota

Think Small Offers Free Information Sessions for Parent Aware Participation

Early Sprouts: Growing Great Gardeners

Families First: Connecting Southern MN Children with Early Learning Scholarships

Early Education Spotlight - Here We Grow

Northeastern Minnesota Addresses Child Care Shortage

West Central Minnesota Child Care Providers Benefit from Forgivable Loans

Early Education Spotlight: Stepping Stones Childcare Learning Center, Inc

Policies in Play

Free Early Childhood Text Messaging Program Offered to Minnesota Parents

Early Education Spotlight: Daryeel Group Home Daycare

Early Education Spotlight: Bloom Early Learning and Child Care

Early Education Spotlight: Little Learners

Early Education Spotlight: Achcha's Daycare

What are People Saying About Parent Aware?

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

Parent Aware is the Backbone of Early Learning in Minnesota

Quality of Early Childhood Programs Improving with Parent Aware

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