Family Child Care in Minnesota

The purpose of licensing is to provide standards that protect the health and safety of our children. In Minnesota, licensing rules are minimum standards.  Providers must meet standards for caregiver qualifications, physical environment, number of children per caregiver, behavior guidance, required policies and records, activities, and equipment. Family Child Care homes are licensed by the county of residence and Child Care Centers are licensed by the state of Minnesota.
For more information about becoming a family child care provider contact your county social service agency.  

There are local navigators who can help walk you through the entire licensing process. For more information and to connect with a navigator, click here.

 In Minnesota, you may care for the children of one unrelated family plus the children of related family members (such as nieces, nephews, grandchildren) without needing a child care license.  Anyone caring for more than one unrelated family is required by the State of Minnesota to be licensed.  
Child care licensing provides the guidelines for the required ratio of children to adults in your family child care setting. 
 

MN Department of Human Services Family Child Care Resources Link