The federal government requires states to make information available concerning the aggregate number of deaths, serious injuries and instances of child maltreatment that occur in child care settings each year. In Minnesota, there are four child care provider types for which this data will be reported: licensed child care centers, licensed family child care programs, certified child care centers, and legal nonlicensed providers that participate in the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP).
The following information includes the aggregate number of deaths, serious injuries, and instances of maltreatment that occurred in different child care settings by calendar year.
The death of a child in care must be reported by the provider to the Department of Human Services, the county, or the local CCAP agency.
| Year | Licensed Child Care Centers | Licensed Family Child Care Programs | Certified Child Care Centers | Legal Nonlicensed Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Minnesota law statute 260E recognizes the following types of maltreatment: neglect, abuse, sexual abuse, mental injury, emotional harm, medical neglect, and threatened injury. When a finding of maltreatment is made, it means that allegations of maltreatment were reported, the allegations were investigated, and it was determined through the investigation that an act did occur that meets the definition of maltreatment.
| Year | Licensed Child Care Centers | Licensed Family Child Care Programs | Certified Child Care Centers | Legal Nonlicensed Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 51 | 50 | 4 | 1 |
| 2023 | 75 | 43 | 3 | 0 |
| 2024 | 93 | 35 | 2 | 0 |
| 2025 | 81 | 35 | 1 | 1 |
| Year | Licensed Child Care Centers | Licensed Family Child Care Programs | Certified Child Care Centers | Legal Nonlicensed Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 658 | 182 | 253 | 0 |
| 2023 | 717 | 110 | 296 | 1 |
| 2024 | 571 | 102 | 234 | 0 |
| 2025 | 616 | 154 | 222 | 0 |
In 2025, there were 1,813 licensed child care centers located throughout the state of Minnesota. These licensed centers had the capacity to serve 153,127 children. Licensed centers served 27,456 children receiving CCAP in 2025. For more information, visit Child Care Licensing or the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families’ webpage.
In 2025, there were 5,448 licensed family child care programs located in Minnesota. These licensed family child care programs had the capacity to serve 64,486 children. Licensed family child care served 3,372 children receiving CCAP in 2025. For more information, visit Child Care Licensing or the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families’ webpage.
In 2025, there were 612 certified centers that participated in CCAP located in Minnesota. The capacity of a certified center varies by location, and as programming changes throughout the year. Certified centers served 4,170 children receiving CCAP in 2025. For more information, visit Child Care Licensing or the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families’ webpage.
License-exempt child care centers must become certified to serve families receiving child care assistance. License-exempt programs must meet one of the specific exclusions from licensure as outlined in MN Statutes, section 142C.02; this includes programs operated by a school district, Head Start, or parks and recreation board, among others. DCYF certifies and monitors certified license-exempt programs (often called certified centers).
In 2025, there were 177 legal nonlicensed providers who participated in CCAP in Minnesota. Legal nonlicensed providers have a capacity of eight children ages 12 and younger while care is provided to children paid by the Child Care Assistance Program. These 177 legal nonlicensed providers had the capacity to serve 1,416 children. Legal nonlicensed providers served 291 children receiving CCAP in 2025. For more information, visit Types of Care and Education.