Parent Aware, Minnesota’s early learning quality framework, allows all types of early care and education programs to voluntarily receive a quality rating based on the extent to which they adhere to practices that best prepare children for kindergarten. However, many licensed family child care providers do not have the necessary resources to navigate the process of receiving, maintaining, or improving a Parent Aware rating. As we think about the need for high-quality early care and educational options for families most likely to be impacted by the opportunity gap, the need for a robust market of high-quality family child care providers becomes more essential. The Pathways to Quality project was born out of a need to assist family child care providers so they can provide more children with the opportunity to be successful when they enter kindergarten.
