Child Care in Minnesota: What’s Coming in 2026 - post

Minnesota’s child care landscape is facing both significant challenges and promising changes as the state heads into 2026. Families, providers, #educators, and advocates are watching closely as new laws take effect, workforce studies continue, and policy discussions grow around affordability, quality, and access.

From workforce #development initiatives to licensing updates and scholarship programs, this article explores the key areas shaping child care in Minnesota for the year ahead.

1. Evolving Laws and Regulations Impacting Child Care

In recent years, Minnesota lawmakers have passed several laws that will influence child care operations and policies in 2026.

Training Requirements for Child Care Providers

• Beginning October 1, 2025, legal, non-licensed family child care providers who care for children unrelated to them must complete at least two hours of approved training annually. This requirement will still be in effect in 2026 — raising baseline skills for providers across the state. 

• Substitutes and volunteers at licensed child care centers are also required to complete a minimum of two hours of training each year. 

• These changes aim to improve #safety and quality for children in all types of care settings throughout Minnesota.

Child Care Licensing Transparency and Support

New legal provisions effective July 1, 2026 will allow providers to request interpretive guidance when correcting rule violations — offering clearer pathways to compliance. 

Additionally, Minnesota will require standardized timelines and standards for licensors when inspecting child care programs, bringing more consistency and predictability to the licensing system.

2. Minnesota’s Child Care Workforce Focus

Child care in Minnesota — like in many states — is significantly shaped by its workforce. Recent data shows that turnover is high and wages are relatively low in the sector, which contributes to challenges in maintaining child care capacity. 

2026 Workforce Study

Minnesota’s Department of Children, Youth, and Families is conducting the 2026 Early Care and Education Workforce Study to better understand:

• Workforce demographics and job characteristics

• Professional development needs

• Compensation benchmarks

• Barriers to retention and recruitment

This study follows earlier efforts and will inform recommendations for improving compensation, benefits, and #career pathways for child care educators. 

Recommendations for Better Compensation

The state has #developed a recommended wage scale for #early-care and education professionals that aligns compensation with comparable roles in K–12 education — a move aimed at improving financial stability for child care workers. 

Minnesota’s ongoing efforts to improve compensation and develop alternative educational pathways will continue into 2026 as part of broader workforce development initiatives. 

3. Child Care Access and Affordability Challenges

Minnesota is facing a child care shortage that affects families and providers alike:

• Surveys show many providers — including centers — report operations are unsustainably expensive, forcing them to raise fees or risk closures. 

• A significant shortage of child care slots leaves many families without affordable options. 

• Many early educators earn wages that make it difficult to retain talent and attract new professionals. 

These conditions contribute to a dynamic where child care access remains limited in many parts of the state.

Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) Changes

Minnesota’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) supports families with subsidized child care. Recent policy updates include:

• Extending eligibility terms when a new child is added to a family

• Capping family co-payments at 7% of annual income to improve affordability

• Updating program administrative systems to make participation easier for providers

• Requiring annual training for certain legal non-licensed providers to maintain eligibility for subsidies 

These changes aim to simplify access and strengthen supports for families who rely on child care assistance.

4. Scholarships and Early Learning Supports

Minnesota offers Early Learning Scholarships to help families access high-quality early care and education programs. These scholarships — designed for children ages birth to four — help cover costs in programs that meet certain quality criteria. 

As 2026 unfolds, families may continue to see these supports expand or adjust to better meet demand and align with new funding priorities.

5. Regulatory Modernization and Licensing Improvements

The Child Care Regulation Modernization Project is another policy initiative that may influence Minnesota’s early care system in 2026. This project intends to:

• Develop updated licensing standards

• Introduce risk-based inspection systems

• Support tiered violation responses based on risk level

Modernizing regulation aims to make the licensing process more efficient and tailored to actual program risk — while reducing unnecessary burdens on providers. 

6. Communication, Collaboration, and Provider Networks

Minnesota’s Early Childhood Connector initiative — a cross-agency communication effort — #plays a role in keeping providers informed about state programs, updates, and opportunities. Providers can subscribe to newsletters and participate in calls to stay updated on evolving child care policy and supports. 

These communication channels will help stakeholders stay engaged with child care #developments in 2026.

7. Broader Economic Impacts and the State’s Economy

Child care isn’t just a social issue — it’s an economic one. Minnesota’s economy is affected when families struggle to access reliable care, leading to lost work hours and productivity.

In response, policymakers and advocates continue exploring how to align child care policy with broader workforce and economic strategies. More attention in 2026 may be directed toward linking child care services with employment supports and broader family well-being policies.

8. Resources and Training for Child Care Professionals

Support and professional development are essential for maintaining quality care. Child care professionals in Minnesota — and beyond — can access training and resources online:

🔗 Training offered at ChildCareEd.com:
ChildCareEd Courses approved in Minnesota 

🔗 Resource offered at ChildCareEd.com:
Free Resources at ChildCareEd

🔗 Article on ChildCareEd.com:

A Complete Guide to ChildCareEd Courses for Providers in Minnesota

These links provide valuable tools, best practices, and contextual information to support early educators and child care providers.

9. What Families and Providers Can Expect in 2026

Possible Developments in 2026

• Expanded training requirements and clearer licensing guidance

• Continued workforce analysis and policy recommendations

• Updates to child care assistance programs to improve accessibility

• Possible funding proposals (including grant programs) that support program improvements and workforce stability

• Increased focus on professional development and wage competitiveness

Ongoing Challenges

• Persistent child care shortages in many counties

• Affordability issues for middle-income families

• Provider sustainability challenges tied to labor costs, overhead, and recruitment

Conclusion

Child care in Minnesota is at a pivotal moment as 2026 approaches. While the state continues to struggle with access and affordability, lawmakers, agencies, and advocates are pursuing reforms, training improvements, and policy updates designed to strengthen the child care system.

From training and licensing updates to workforce studies and scholarship programs, the next year will likely bring continued conversation and action — all aimed at helping Minnesota families and providers thrive.

If you’d like help understanding how these developments could affect your community or child care program in 2026, just let me know!

#transparency

#free

#youth

#early-childhood

#early-learning