Family child care training & resources

Per MN Statute 245A.5, 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 Statutes 245A.50 to be approved.

    Ongoing training subjects shall be selected from the following areas:

    • Child Growth and Development

    • Learning Environment and Curriculum

    • Assessment and Planning for Individual Needs

    • Interaction with Children

    • Families and Communities

    • Health, Safety, and Nutrition

    • Program Planning and Evaluation

    • Behavior Guidance

    • Cultural Dynamics

    County Licensing staff will accept training approved by the Minnesota Center for Professional Development including:

    • Face-to-face classroom training

    • Online training

    • 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.

    Access SUID and AHT training videos via MN DCYF website >

    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.

      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.