Think Small | Parent Aware

Get the recognition you deserve for demonstrating best practices in early education! Watch these new videos produced by Think Small which are specifically designed for Spanish, Hmong and Somali child care providers. You’ll get an inside look at Parent Aware rated programs in Minnesota and learn about the benefits of earning a Parent Aware rating.

Parent Aware is the statewide Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) for Minnesota. Every state in the country now has a QRIS. Ours is called Parent Aware. Parent Aware Ratings are focused on getting children ready to succeed in kindergarten and in life! When you volunteer to participate, you go beyond basic health and safety requirements to demonstrate the best practices in early education.

Learn more about Parent Aware here.

Program Benefits

Have your quality recognized
FREE coaching and assistance
Increased access to scholarships for families
Ongoing marketing support
Higher reimbursement rates
Join the community of Rated programs

The deadline to apply for the next round of Parent Aware is June 10, 2018

Parent Aware July 2018 Session

$1,000 is available for programs that choose Building Quality, which gives participants more coaching as they prepare for a Parent Aware Star Rating; and
$2,500 is available for programs that receive a One-Star, Two-Star, or Three-Star Rating June 2018.
New and Re-Rating Parent Aware programs are eligible!
Providers that have participated in the Building Quality pathway are eligible to participate again. These quality improvement dollars can be spent on professional development training, curricula, assessment tools, toys, equipment, technology— such as a computer, printer, or software—or other materials tied to the provider’s program goals.

Attend an Info/Orientation Session

Hennepin & Ramsey County Providers

Tuesday, March 27th: 6:30-8:00pm

Think Small West: 2021 E Hennepin Ave | Minneapolis, MN 55413

Monday, April 2nd: 3:30-5:00pm

Rondo Community Library: 461 Dale Street N | St Paul, MN 55104

Tuesday, April 10th: 6:30-8:00pm

Brookdale Library: 6125 Shingle Creek Pkwy | Brooklyn Center, MN 55430

Wednesday, April 18th: 6:30-8:00pm

Think Small East: 10 Yorkton Court | St Paul, MN 55117

Monday, May 7th: 12:30-2:00pm

Think Small East: 10 Yorkton Court | St Paul, MN 55117

Monday, May 14th: 5:30-7:00pm

Southdale Library: 7001 York Avenue S | Edina, MN 55435

Saturday, May 19th: 12:30-2:00pm

Sun Ray Library: 2105 Wilson Avenue | St Paul, MN 55119

To register, please contact Tanisha Lungelow at 651-233-2297 or tlungelow@thinksmall.org

How to Earn a Star Rating

Apply for participation in a January or July cohort.
Join Develop and earn your step on the Career Lattice.
Review your program strengths and set a Star Level goal with your Quality coach.
Work with your Coach to gather program documentation.
Submit your Quality Documentation Portfolio.
Receive your Star Rating!

Join the Next Cohort

To start in the July 2018 cohort of Parent Aware, complete two forms: a Parent Aware Application and a Participation Agreement.
Providers with Develop accounts may apply online at www.developtoolmn.org
Re-rating programs are also required to submit application forms or apply online.

Download the application and participation agreement.

Metro Area Contacts

Anoka County & Washington County Providers

Contact: Annette Borman
763.783.4711 or aborman@accap.org
Anoka County Community Action Program
1201 89th Ave. NE, Suite 345
Blaine, MN 55434
Fax: 763.783.4700

Carver County & Scott County Providers

Contact: Marie Johnson
952.402.9824 or mjohnson@capagency.org
CAP Agency Child Care Aware of MN
712 Canterbury Road
Shakopee, MN 55379
Fax: 952-402-9815

Dakota County Providers

Contact: Mischelle Ulrich
952.985.4045 or mulrich@360communities.org
360 Communities
501 East Highway 13, Suite 102
Burnsville, MN 55337

Hennepin County & Ramsey County Providers

Contact: Tanisha Lungelow
651-233-2297 or tlungelow@thinksmall.org
Think Small West
2021 East Hennepin Avenue, Suite LL20
Minneapolis, MN 55413

Parent Aware Spanish Video