Step 1 : Earn Your Family Child Care CDA
Meet Your Minnesota Family Child Care Training Requirements with ChildCareEd
ChildCareEd is a Develop-approved Training Sponsor Organization in Minnesota (TSO #142735). Our courses are reviewed and approved through Achieve (MNCPD) and automatically reported to the Develop Registry when you link your Develop ID to your account, making it easy to meet Minnesota's family child care licensing and annual training requirements online, on your own schedule.
What Minnesota Requires for Licensed Family Child Care Providers
Under MN Rule 9502 (Rule 2), licensed family child care providers must:
- Complete initial training in child care, health, and nutrition before or shortly after being licensed
- Complete 16 hours of approved training every year to maintain their license
- Meet caregiver qualification requirements based on education and/or experience
Since October 1, 2025, legal non-licensed family child care providers, substitutes, and volunteers must also complete annual training hours. ChildCareEd courses count toward these requirements as well.
Caregiver Qualifications — Earn Your Family Child Care CDA
The CDA (Child Development Associate) Credential in the Family Child Care setting is one of Minnesota's accepted caregiver qualification options under MN Rule 9502.0355. ChildCareEd provides the full 120 hours of training required to earn it.
Family Child Care CDA Course Options
| Course | Setting | Price |
|---|---|---|
| CDA Family Child Care Credential with Portfolio Review | Home-based family child care | Available on site |
| CDA Family Child Care Credential (no portfolio review) | Home-based family child care | Lower cost |
Both courses are self-paced and fully online, covering all 8 CDA Subject Areas. The Portfolio Review version includes feedback from ChildCareEd's certified CDA PD Specialists before your certificate is issued — recommended for first-time candidates.
Annual Training Hours — Quick Reference
| Provider Type | Annual Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Licensed family child care providers | 16 hours |
| Legal non-licensed providers, substitutes & volunteers (since Oct. 1, 2025) | Annual hours required |
ChildCareEd uploads attendance weekly, and completions typically appear in your Develop Registry within about 5 business days.
How Develop Reporting Works
Choose courses approved by the Minnesota Center for Professional Development and listed in the Develop Registry. Add your Develop Registry ID to your ChildCareEd profile before starting training so hours are reported automatically. Track your certificates carefully in case you need them for licensing or audits.
Get Started
👉 Browse all MN-approved courses: childcareed.com/courses_in-MN-minnesota.html 👉 Family Child Care 16-Hour Bundle: childcareed.com/careerprograms.html 👉 Explore CDA programs: childcareed.com/cda.html 👉 MN State Training Portal: childcareed.com/stateportals-29-mn-minnesota.html
