Minnesota
Working families in Minnesota need accessible, affordable, quality child care and early learning opportunities for their children.
Currently, federal and state early learning programs reach thousands of young children and their families in Minnesota. But too many working families in Minnesota are missing out. As a direct result of child care issues, the Minnesota economy loses millions of dollars each year in the form of lost earnings, productivity, and revenue.
There are 410k children ages 5 and under in Minnesota – 74% of these children have all available parents in the workforce.
The typical annual cost of child care for an infant in Minnesota is around $20,000.
The Child Care and Development Block Grant only reaches 10% of eligible families. This federal program helps low-income parents afford child care.
On average, child care providers in Minnesota earn just $31,580 a year; this can make it a challenge to recruit and retain this workforce, leading to supply issues.
Minnesota’s economy loses $2.1B annually due to child care challenges.
Minnesota: In The Headlines
Why child care costs so much in Minnesota
MPR News | aUGUST 25, 2025
Child care is one of the biggest expenses families face — and here in Minnesota, it’s among the highest in the nation.
Minnesota is losing more child care providers amid rising costs and sticky red tape
MPR News | sEPTEMBER 4, 2025
More in-home child care providers in Minnesota are shutting their doors, and many day care centers are closing, too, leaving thousands of parents scrambling to find places for their children to stay while they work or attend classes.
Minnesota Child Care Costs Blamed For Gen Z Family Delays
WJON | June 9, 2025
This generation typically defined as those born between 1997 and 2012 — is delaying having kids for a variety of reasons. One of the big reasons Gen Zers attribute to their decision-making is the cost of childcare.
Minnesota Resources & News
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