The 2018 - 2019 Regional Child Care Services Grant provides FREE money to help cover the cost of supplies, equipment, technology, and training. Grant funds are offered annually and are awarded on a competitive basis to qualified child care programs in the seven county metro area. The application guide serves as an FAQ and has details on how to apply. Click on the county your child care program is located for details and access to the application.Regional Grant Advisory CommitteeWe NEED your help! A few hours of your time equals better care and education for children in your neighborhood.We are currently accepting applications for 2018 to 2020. Call 651-366-6797 for this great opportunity or download the application and email it to GrantsRequest@thinksmall.org.

Anoka County

• Application Guide
• Application

Dakota County

• Application Guide
• Application

Hennepin County

• Application Guide
• Application

Ramsey County

• Application Guide
• Application

Scott/Carver County

• Application Guide
• Application

Washington County

• Application Guide
• Application

New this year!

I. Preferred Vendor List

ALL items must be purchased from a retail store (NEW only) and cannot be purchased through a private party.

1. Redleaf Press (20% Discount)
2. Lakeshore Learning (5% discount)A shopping cart may be submitted to the Grants Administrator to order. No upfront cost, the purchase will be paid against the grant
3. Kaplan Early Learning (20% discount) A shopping cart may be submitted to the Grants Administrator to order. No upfront cost, the purchase will be paid against the grant
4. Hatch the Early Learning Experts (15% discount)
5. ABC & Toy Zone (20% discount)
6. Constructive Playthings (15% discount)
7. Becker’s School Supplies (15% discount)
8. Discount School Supplies
9. Target
10. Amazon
11. Walmart
12. Other early childhood and educator stores not listed (Must be approved by the Grants Administrator)

II. Spending Changes

1. Electronic Purchases
   • The grant will cover up to $500, the balance is the program’s responsibility
     1. Laptop
     2. Desktop computer
     3. Tablets, Ipads, Kindle
     4. Cameras
     5. Camcorders
     6. Home Security
   • Must be purchased from one of the preferred vendor list stores
   • Cannot be used or refurbished, must be NEW
2. Furniture Purchases
   • The grant will cover up to $500, if the furniture is for personal use and used by the daycare, the rest will be covered by the program
   • Must be purchased from one of the preferred vendor list stores
   • Cannot be used, must be NEW
3. Lakeshore Learning and Kaplan Early Learning Grant Paid Purchase
   • Programs may submit a shopping cart to the Grants Administrator to order their items
   • The items will be shipped directly to their home or center
   • Programs will not have upfront costs. It will be paid against the grant

III. Training Requirement Change

A Develop Learning Record is required to verify training is complete for the required training and the grant paid training. We will NOT accept training certificates, in-service hours training logues, a transcript for college courses. ONLY the Develop Learning Record.

1. 12 hours of training required
2. Trainings must be taken between April 1, 2018 – February 15, 2019

IV. NEW Grant Deadlines

1. Required Training February 15, 2019
2. Grant Paid Training March 1, 2019
3. Early Bird Incentive January 31, 2019
4. Invoices and receipts March 1, 2019

V. Learning Opportunities Plan

1. No longer required. The Develop Learning Record is the ONLY form of verification the required training AND the grant paid training is complete.

Submission Deadline is September 25, 2018

Award / Denial letters will be mailed out November 1, 2018. For more information, contact Charlene Nhotsavang at 651-366-6797.