Help for LGBTQ Families Seeking Child Care

LGBTQ families may have additional concerns in finding child care that is sensitive and respectful.

Along with using our online search tool, phone referral service, parent guide, and helpful resource guides, LGBTQ parents may want to observe and ask the following questions directly to child care providers they are considering.

Observation:

  • Do the program’s written materials and website include an inclusive nondiscrimination statement?
  • Do they display photos and images that show diverse family structures?
  • Do dolls and dress-up materials reflect a range of family types and gender expression?
  • Are there books that feature LGBTQ families and children?
  • Are applications and parent communications friendly to all families (for example, using “parent/guardian” instead of “mother/father”)?

Questions for Providers:

  1. Do you have any experience caring for children from families similar to ours?
  2. Do your toys and books reflect a range of families, including LGBTQ families?
  3. How would you handle questions from other children directed to my child about their family?
  4. How do you model and teach about gender roles?
  5. Do you have LGBTQ staff or staff who are familiar with the LGBTQ community?
  6. Do staff receive anti-bias training on a regular basis? Do you use an anti-bias curriculum?
  7. Do you have a formal anti-discrimination policy in place?
  8. Are you open to learning more?

 

Additional Resources for LGBTQ Families in Minnesota

Outfront Minnesota
Resources for LGBTQ community for equality, opportunities, and protection of rights.

Family Equality Council
Advancing legal and lived equality for LGBTQ families, and for those who wish to form them, through building community, changing hearts and minds, and driving policy change.

Queer Birth Project
Offers a support group for LGBTQ families, a childbirth education curriculum for LGBTQ families, and no-cost referrals to culturally sensitive and queer birth professionals.

Transforming Families
Peer network of resources and support groups for transgender, gender non-conforming, and questioning youth and their families.

RECLAIM
Provides mental health care so queer and trans youth may reclaim their lives from oppression in all its forms.

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