Four child-care pilots underway

Last update: November 29, 2007 - 7:04 AM

The Minnesota Early Learning Foundation, working with the University of Minnesota and other public and private entities, has launched several pilot projects to foster high-quality child care and improve low-income families' access to it. The university is providing research to measure which programs do better at preparing children for school and to evaluate pilot projects. They are also launching Parent Aware, a voluntary ratings system for care providers.

• In St. Paul, the foundation is funding two-year scholarships of up to $13,000 a year to allow 1,200 children from low-income families in the North End and Frogtown to attend top child-care programs. It is also developing a quality rating system for parents. To get a program application, call 651-641-6604.

• In the Wayzata School District, the foundation has joined with the Caring for Kids Initiative to help low-income families get their children ready for school through mentoring and child-care scholarships. The initiative is also developing a quality provider network to help parents choose. For more information, call 952-288-2568.

• In north Minneapolis, the Early Learning Foundation is working with 500 Under 5, a program that includes Hennepin County and the university, to identify 500 children in two neighborhoods and get them ready for kindergarten. The program will work with parents and provide money to fill the gaps in government assistance. For more information, call 612-348-8983.

• In the Mankato area, the foundation is working with the Taylor Corp. and other businesses to develop a quality rating system of child-care options, as well as scholarships to help low-income families use those providers. The project includes educators and teaches providers how to use school curriculum. For more information, go to www.parentawareratings.org.

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