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.
What Minnesota Families Want from Early Care and Education
Families across Minnesota are clear: early care and education (ECE) lays the foundation for children’s lifelong learning and well being. Yet for many, especially those raising children with diverse learning ...
A Second Home: How Today’s Life School Builds Quality Care
A framed photo of past students and a poem titled “A Second Home” hangs above Director Roberta Root’s desk at Today’s Life School and Child Care in Eden Prairie, MN, reflecting the everyday reality for families ...
From Architect to Family Child Care Provider: Monica's Story
Monica didn’t set out to become a family child care provider. What began as a shift from career in architecture to helping family friends turned into work centered around supporting ...
Think Small and Mirza Launch Pilot to Modernize Access to Child Care and Public Benefits in Minnesota
Grant Powers New Technology Pilot in Minnesota Counties Saint Paul, MN – March 17, 2026 – Think Small has received a $600,000 grant from Goodman Philanthropies to pilot an integrated, ...
A Sector Under Strain: New Metro-Area Survey Reveals Mounting Operational and Financial Challenges
Educators have been facing a tough season. Concerns about safety, immigration actions, winter illnesses, and possible federal funding freezes are putting pressure on an already strained industry. To better understand ...
Think Small Welcomes New Vice President of Early Childhood Programs and Strategy
Think Small Welcomes Caché Velásquez, PhD, as Vice President of Early Childhood Programs and Strategy Think Small is pleased to announce that Caché Velásquez, PhD has joined the organization as ...
Think Small Speaks Out on the Effects of ICE Operations on Young Children
Think Small on the Effects of ICE Operations on Young Children Reports that young children are being caught in the middle of immigration enforcement operations are disturbing and heartbreaking. Traumatic ...
From Dream to Reality: Brindha’s Family Child Care Journey
When families walk into Honeybees Family Child Care, they’re stepping into a space that feels like home. That’s exactly what Brindha envisioned. After years working in a child care center, she opened her own program to create something special: ...
Think Small Calls on Leaders to Preserve Child Care Stability
St. Paul, MN – 1/13/2026 Think Small Calls on Leaders to Preserve Child Care Stability Think Small is dedicated to making sure young children in Minnesota can learn, grow, and ...
Minnesota's Growing Waitlist for Early Learning Scholarships
As of October 2025, more than 7,000 children in Minnesota are waiting for an Early Learning Scholarship. This critical funding helps eligible families pay for quality early care and education, ...
Debra S. Fish Early Childhood Resource Library Closes
With deep gratitude and great sadness, we share news that we have closed the Debra S. Fish Early Childhood Resource Library. After decades of growing together, longstanding challenges for funding ...
A new way of seeing learning— discover this new Redleaf Press release!
Every day in early childhood settings, children return to materials, spaces, and ideas that spark their curiosity—a block structure, a dramatic play scene, a half-finished drawing. To some, this might ...
From Intern to Impact: Previous Todd Otis Public Policy Interns Share Their Experiences
Step into the heart of Minnesota’s early childhood policy work — and discover your voice as an advocate. The Todd Otis Public Policy Internship at Think Small is a hands-on ...
Make It Count: Your Vote, Your Future
Election day is November 4. Are you prepared to make your voice heard? Are you eligible and registered to vote? Do you know your polling place? Voting is one of ...
What’s the Story? How Personal Stories Help Us Understand Early Care and Learning in Minnesota
Hearing from the Experts From November 2024 to May 2025, Think Small’s Data, Policy, and Research team collected stories from families and early childhood professionals across Minnesota. Our goal was ...
Eliminating Expulsions, Suspensions, and Exclusions: Understanding Trauma to Support Children’s Well-Being
Understanding trauma to support children’s well-being is the second in our three-part series on “Eliminating Expulsions, Suspensions, and Exclusions”. This topic is crucial to reducing these harmful practices. Educators, providers, ...
From Scholarship to School Success: Ashley and Tre’s Story
Ashley beamed with pride as she talked about her son Tre, who just finished first grade. “He received the Fabulous Friend Award,” she said. “He likes to play with everybody.” ...
From Observer to Advocate: Dylan Weaver Steps into Early Learning Policy
From Observer to Advocate: Dylan Weaver Steps into Early Learning Policy — How the Todd Otis Public Policy Internship is shaping Minnesota’s next generation of early learning champions. When Dylan ...
A School of Her Own: Melissa Levingston’s Journey to Family Child Care
“I had a vision that I would have my own school someday,” says Melissa Levingston, reflecting on the inspiration behind starting her family child care program. “This was meant to ...
Growing Child Care in Ramsey County: A Three-Year Journey
In three years, thanks to funding by Ramsey County, Think Small supported early childhood educators in opening and developing family child care programs and child care centers. Expanding options for ...
Transforming Child Care in Minnesota: A Bold Vision Beyond Red Tape
On a recent Friday morning, early childhood educators, policymakers, and advocates gathered virtually to discuss a transformative vision for child care in Minnesota. Hosted by Think Small, the Small Talks ...
Celebrating Young Learners: Engaging Resources for the Week of the Young Child®
Imagine a world where every child’s curiosity is nurtured, learning is joyful, and communities come together to celebrate early childhood. That’s the spirit of the Week of the Young Child®! ...
Beyond Red Tape: What Innovating Child Care Licensing & Quality Standards Looks Like
Reduce Licensing Micromanagement in Service Quality: Minnesota should ensure children’s safety while freeing child care providers to meet industry standards. At Think Small, our mission is clear — to advance ...
The Impact of Early Learning Scholarships: Corinne's Story
“It literally changed my life,” shares Corinne Martin on the impact of an Early Learning Scholarship for her family. These scholarships help families pay for quality early care and education ...
March highlights Music in Our Schools! Music supports early learning, at home and in early care and education settings
March is Music in Our Schools month! Music is also a vital part of early childhood, at home and in early care and education. There is so much joy in ...
Reimagining Early Care and Education Standards: Lessons from the Bainum Foundation's WeVision Initiative
Any way you look at it, the early care and education (ECE) space is on the cusp of significant transformation. As Marica Cox Mitchell of the Bainum Family Foundation recently ...
Small Talks: Beyond Red Tape: Innovating Child Care Licensing and Quality Standards.
On Friday, March 28, Think Small hosted a discussion alongside a panel of experts and explored the WeVision EarlyEd initiative’s approach to transforming early care and education (ECE) licensing and ...
Early Learning Scholarships Help Minnesota Families Pay for Quality Early Care and Education
Think Small has been working with Minnesota lawmakers to introduce legislation that keeps Early Learning Scholarships funded at their current rate for the next two years. Funding is set to ...
Eliminating Expulsions, Suspensions, and Exclusions of Children in Early Learning Programs
Expulsions, suspensions, and exclusions in early childhood education have far-reaching consequences for young children. Historically used for older students, these disciplinary measures are increasingly implemented in child care programs and ...
Small Talks: From Awareness to Action: How Trauma-Informed Care Builds Supportive Environments for Children
Small Talks: A Think Small Speaker Series is Back! Come to learn about and discuss: Key findings on the impact of trauma and stress on child development Specific care efforts ...
Family Child Care Program Set to Expand to Meet Child Care Needs in Minneapolis
“I fell in love with teaching children,” shares Sally Boyd, director of Personality Childcare Learning Center in North Minneapolis. Boyd has served more than 600 children in the 20 years ...
Think Small Institute Achieves IACET Accreditation for High-Quality Training for Early Childhood Professionals
Think Small is proud to announce that the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) has accredited Think Small Institute’s professional development in early childhood care and education. This ...
