Family child care training & resources
Per MN Statute 142B.70, licensed family child care providers, caregivers, and substitute caregivers must fulfill several training requirements.
Provider training
16 hours of training is required each year for licensed providers, and must include:
- Child Growth and Development/Behavior Guidance (every year)
- Active Supervision (two hours each year)
- CPR (every two years, in-person only)
- First Aid (every two years)
- SUID (every two years, videos on the off year)
- AHT (every two years, videos on the off year)
- Health and Safety, I and II (every five years)
- BEST training (if transporting, every five years)
The course must focus on one or more of the training subjects outlined in MN Statute 142B.70 to be approved.
Ongoing training subjects shall be selected from the following areas:
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Child Growth and Development
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Learning Environment and Curriculum
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Assessment and Planning for Individual Needs
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Interaction with Children
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Families and Communities
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Health, Safety, and Nutrition
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Program Planning and Evaluation
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Behavior Guidance
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Cultural Dynamics
County Licensing staff will accept training approved by the Minnesota Center for Professional Development including:
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Face-to-face classroom training
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Online training
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Relationship-based professional development, such as mentoring, coaching, and consulting
Training options
Approved trainings
Trainings approved by the Minnesota Center for Professional Development (MNCPD) are available at developtoolmn.org or by contacting MNCPD at 855-378-3131.
DCYF Family Child Care Orientation >
Networking Conference
Helping ensure your success, Sourcewell proudly offers local providers opportunities to grow themselves and their family child care businesses.
Sept. 27, 2025
Eager-to-Learn by Child Care Aware
Child Care Aware of Minnesota also offers many online trainings through the Eager-to-Learn website. These courses offer an online format called Anytime Learning that allows for flexible, self-paced learning.
SUID and AHT training
Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) and Abusive Head Trauma (AHT) training must be approved by the Minnesota Center for Professional Development. Both online and classroom formats are accepted, and must be completed at least once every two years. On the years training is not required, providers must receive video training developed or approved by the commissioner.
Additional tools & resources
Are you looking to enroll, renew, and or make a change with your child care assistance account for your licensed family child care program, please visit the Child Care Assistance Program Submission Site on the Department of Children, Youth, and Families website to learn more about the process.
First Children's Finance
This organization provides financial and business-development assistance to child care businesses. Learn more at FirstChildrensFinance.org.
USDA food program
The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a program of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). It provides reimbursement to child care providers to support nutritious meals and snacks. Learn more on the USDA food program website.
Child Care Wayfinder
Child Care Wayfinder is your one-stop navigation network for starting and growing child care programs. Learn more on the Child Care Wayfinder website.
- Infectious Disease in Child Care Settings & Schools from MN from the Minnesota Department of Health
- MN Department of Health - Infectious Disease Reporting
- Keeping Kids Safe: Child Care Provider Emergency Planning Guide by MN from the Minnesota Department of Children Youth and Families
- Center for Inclusive Child Care at InclusiveChildCare.org
Help Me Grow works with the Minnesota Departments of Education, Health, and Children Youth and Families to provide resources on the development of young children for parents and professionals, including:
If you are interested in meeting with other providers, consider joining the local daycare association. For more information, please contact:
Crow Wing County
- Crow Wing County Licensed Family Childcare Association
Morrison County
- The Licensed Family Child Care Association of Morrison County
Patty Orth – 320-749-2100 - The Pierz Area Child Care Providers Support Group
Rebecca Dehler – 320-468-6654
Becker County
- Becker County Child Care Association
Vanessa Piekarski – 218-298-1295 or vcomo_19@yahoo.com
Douglas County
- Lakes Area Professional Child Care Association (LAPCCA)
Lynn Barten – 320-219-7733
Questions
Contact licensing@sourcewell-mn.gov or call 218-895-4120.
Please include your county of residence in all communications.