Guides, tools, and forms to help you along the way.
Learn more about the Rating process and requirements, including training requirements.
Using one or more curricula helps providers and teachers plan and use effective instruction. These tools align with the Minnesota Early Childhood Indicators of Progress (ECIPs) and meet Parent Aware curriculum requirements.
If your curriculum is not on the approved list, you can nominate it by completing the Curriculum Nomination Form and submitting it, along with supporting materials, to Parent Aware.
The Early Childhood Indicators of Progress (ECIPs), also known as Minnesota’s Early Learning Guidelines, outline a set of expectations for young children. All programs are encouraged to use the ECIPs to guide their planning and practices.
The Parent Aware Standards and Indicators are the quality measures used to award Star Ratings. Changes to the Standards and Indicators were explored as part of the Parent Aware Redesign. A new set of Standards and Indicators will begin July 1, 2026. Until then, Parent Aware will continue to use the current Standards and Indicators.
Child assessment tools help providers and teachers understand each child’s development, and plan lessons to meet their individual needs. These tools meet Parent Aware assessment requirements.
If your assessment is not on the approved list, you can nominate it by completing the Child Assessment Nomination Form and submitting it, along with supporting materials, to Parent Aware.
Parent Aware uses the Classroom Assessment and Scoring System (CLASS®) to provide on-site observation for licensed child care centers serving preschool children, applying for a Three- or Four-Star Rating in the Full-Rating Pathway.
The CLASS® tool is used to review the quality of adult-child interactions in the classroom in three areas: emotional support, classroom organization, and instructional support.
Research tells us that children in classrooms with higher CLASS® scores make greater academic and social gains when compared to children in classrooms with lower CLASS® scores.
Programs can apply online through their program’s Develop Organization Profile. Paper applications can be requested by contacting your local Parent Aware Recruiter. These applications are also available in Spanish, Hmong, and Somali.