Local service guide
Choosing childcare in Minneapolis
Choose childcare in Minneapolis by matching your child's age and your required hours to a provider, checking the provider's licensing record, and getting the schedule and total charges in writing before paying a deposit. For school-age care, confirm the school site and transportation arrangements. If you need financial assistance, Hennepin County lists a Basic Sliding Fee waiting list, application processing of 30 to 45 days, and provider registration of 4 to 6 weeks. Arrange a backup rather than treating those timelines as a confirmed care start date. [1] [2] [3] [4]
Match the arrangement to your week
Write down your child's age, the days you need care, the earliest drop-off, the latest pickup, and the intended start date. Include school breaks and any travel between school and care. Ask each provider to confirm an opening for that exact schedule before you spend time comparing activities or paying application fees.
Hennepin County directs families to Think Small for referrals based on location near schools, openings by age, care hours and special services. The county also identifies Parent Aware as a search resource for child care and early learning programs. Use these routes to build a shortlist, then contact the programs to confirm availability. [2]
For care in your home, describe the duties you expect: supervision, meals, school pickup or other tasks. Ask the caregiver about references, relevant training, emergency response and backup arrangements. Discuss who can collect your child and how you will communicate changes to the daily routine.
Read the licensing record before committing
Use the state's Licensing Information Lookup to review licensed programs, licensing actions and public maltreatment investigation information. Hennepin County also lets parents check family child care complaint records through its licensing team at 612-348-3883. Ask for the provider's licensed name so you review the correct record. [2] [3]
Read the action itself. DCYF issues correction orders for licensing violations and gives providers a deadline to correct them. A conditional license carries special operating terms and closer monitoring. A temporary immediate suspension requires the provider to stop operating. Providers may continue operating during a revocation appeal until DCYF issues its final decision, so ask the regulator to clarify an uncertain status. [3]
DCYF says investigation information remains confidential until completion or disclosure under data privacy laws. Treat a public search as one part of screening. Visit the setting, ask about supervision and infant sleep arrangements where relevant, and request an explanation of any correction or ongoing condition. [3]
Compare the full bill
Use the chart as a published school-age program reference. Minneapolis Kids lists 2026-27 before-school fees of $9.50 or $18.75 per day and after-school fees of $24.75 or $18.75 per day, depending on bell time. The program requires at least two days per week for each component and charges a non-refundable $30 processing fee per program each school year when it approves the contract request. [4]
Minneapolis Kids bills families for contracted days regardless of attendance. For 2026-27 non-school days, it lists $50 per day when registered before the deadline and $60 after the deadline with site approval, subject to space and staffing. Ask which days you must reserve and the cancellation deadline before committing. [4]
Request a written quote from a center, family child care provider or in-home caregiver. Specify the schedule and ask about deposits, registration charges, meals, transportation, late pickup, absences, holidays and notice to end care. The school-program fees here do not establish a market price for infant care, private centers or nannies. [4]
Start assistance checks alongside the care search
Hennepin County's Child Care Assistance Program helps eligible families pay for care while parents work, look for work or attend school. It covers children younger than 13 and children with special needs younger than 15. The county directs applicants to MNbenefits and lists 612-348-5937 for questions. [1]
Prepare proof of address, identity, income, work schedule and school schedule as applicable. The county requires participating providers to register with DCYF, and it cannot reimburse care until both the family and provider have authorization. Ask your assistance worker about the selected provider and approved hours before assuming that assistance will cover your start date. [1]
Assistance may leave costs for you to pay. Hennepin County pays up to maximum rates; families pay the difference when a provider charges more. Providers can also charge late fees, optional activity fees, transportation fees and hours outside county authorization. Request a written breakdown of your co-pay and other charges. [1]
Confirm school transport and backup coverage
Minneapolis Kids does not operate at every school. Families may access another site, and MPS school-to-care bus arrangements may be available through the child's home school office. The program does not provide transportation between home and Minneapolis Kids; families handle morning drop-off and afternoon pickup. [4]
Minneapolis Kids reviews registration requests within 10 business days. The initial Arux submission email does not confirm enrollment, and families receive a waitlist notice when a site reaches capacity. Wait for approval before relying on the placement. [4]
Ask who will cover a weather closure, caregiver illness or a day without an approved reservation. Give your backup caregiver the pickup permissions, emergency contacts and care instructions they need. Confirm any medication or accommodation plan with the primary program before the first day.
Minneapolis Kids school-day component fees, 2026-27
Local details that affect your job
Assistance and provider approval are separate steps
Hennepin County reports a Basic Sliding Fee waiting list, 30 to 45 days for application processing and 4 to 6 weeks for provider registration. These are separate processes, not a promised combined waiting period. Ask the county about your case and provider before choosing a start date that depends on assistance. [1]
Reduced school-care rates at three sites
For 2026-27, Minneapolis Kids lists reduced before-school and after-school component rates at Loring, Pratt and Webster for families experiencing financial hardship who do not qualify for Minnesota Child Care Assistance. Ask the central office at 612-668-3890 about eligibility and site availability before budgeting at those rates. [4]
Ask family child care providers about insurance
Hennepin County says liability insurance is not legally required for family child care providers. Ask whether the provider carries coverage and request their insurance notice rather than assuming a license includes insurance. [2]
Choose the next step for your care needs
| Your need | Option to investigate | Confirm before committing |
|---|---|---|
| Regular care for a younger child | Licensed center or licensed family child care | Age-specific opening, care hours, licensing record and written fees |
| Care around the school day | Minneapolis Kids | Site, bell-time component, two-day weekly minimum per component and transportation |
| Care on non-school days | Minneapolis Kids non-school-day contract | Approval, registration deadline and cancellation deadline; K-5 children need not attend MPS |
| Care that depends on financial help | Hennepin County Child Care Assistance | Family eligibility, provider registration, authorized hours and remaining charges |
Your hiring checklist
- Write down your child's age, required days, pickup limits and care start date.
- Confirm an opening for the exact schedule and age group.
- Check the provider's licensed name and regulatory record where applicable.
- Visit the setting and discuss supervision, emergencies and authorized pickup.
- Get total fees, absence charges, cancellation terms and deposit rules in writing.
- Confirm assistance authorization with your worker before relying on reimbursement.
- Arrange school transportation and a backup caregiver.
- Wait for enrollment approval before treating a requested school-care place as secured.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Minneapolis Kids registration email secure a place?
The initial Arux confirmation acknowledges your submission. Minneapolis Kids reviews requests within 10 business days and sends an approval or follow-up email. A full site places families on a waitlist. Keep backup arrangements until you receive approval. [4]
Can assistance cover a provider who is not a licensed center?
Hennepin County lists licensed family child care, license-exempt care such as school programs, and legally non-licensed family child care among eligible provider types. A legally non-licensed provider must be at least 18 and pass a background check. All participating providers need DCYF registration. [1]
Does a correction order mean a provider must close?
A correction order identifies a licensing violation and a correction deadline. A temporary immediate suspension requires the provider to stop operating. Read the specific action and ask the regulator about current operating status if the record is unclear. [3]
Will Minneapolis Kids provide care during a snow closure?
If school closes because of inclement weather, Minneapolis Kids also cancels care. If only after-school activities close because of weather, its locations remain open until the last child leaves. Arrange a backup for a full school closure. [4]
Sources and scope
This guide combines the sources below with practical planning guidance. Figures apply to the stated geography and period; request a written quote for your property.