Center for Inclusive Child Care

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has released the second draft of revised licensing standards for child care centers and family child care programs and they want your feedback. DHS is hosting a series of virtual workshops and regional engagement sessions across the state, giving providers and stakeholders the opportunity to help refine and improve the next draft of these important standards. These sessions are interactive, limited in size, and designed to make your voice heard. ✅ Whether you work in a classroom, run a family child care business, or support children and families in other ways, your voice matters. 🗓️ Opportunities run through June 30, 2025. 💻 Registration is required. Join the conversation. Be part of the change. 📍Find a session and register at the link below. #inclusionmatters #mnchildcare #earlychildhoodmn #inclusivechildcare #earlychildhoodteacher

"Throughout the CICC coaching experience, I didn't once feel judged, ashamed, or put down with the way our classrooms were managed. Kris was compassionate and understanding and made sure to take baby steps with our teachers to have the best outcome." That's what makes CICC coaching different. We meet educators where they are, with respect, patience, and a belief in their capacity to grow. There is no shame, no assumptions, just a partnership rooted in compassion and real change. If you believe in supporting early childhood educators with this kind of care, consider donating to CICC. Your gift helps us continue to show up for classrooms, teachers, and children who deserve nothing less. Donate today at inclusivechildcare.org #inclusionmatters #teacherquotes #teachercommunity #supportteachers #teachersupport

Let’s be honest; kids aren’t meant to sit still all day. And honestly? Neither are we. As we mark Earth Day, it’s a good time to ask: are we giving children enough time outside? Not just for recess, but for real learning? In early childhood, the outdoors isn’t just a break from the classroom; it *is* the classroom.  Joey Schoen knows this well. In our Inclusion Matters podcast, Joey shares what outdoor learning looks like at Dodge Nature Preschool and how educators can make it work, even without a forest in their backyard. This episode is full of practical ideas for making outdoor time more intentional, inclusive, and doable, whether you’ve got wide open space or a patch of grass. Check it out at the link below. #inclusionmatters #childdevelopment #learningoutside #outdooreducation #learningoutdoors

Have you ever sat across from a parent and realized you had no idea what to say? You want to help but are unsure how to hold space for their fear, frustration, or grief. You can feel the tension of trying to understand what it's like to raise a child with a disability, but you do not want to overstep or make assumptions. These moments are real, and they can be hard. But you can position yourself as a support person to ensure the child receives the best care they deserve. CICC's self-study course, Living With a Disability: The Family Perspective, offers 10 approved clock hours that go beyond policy and surface-level training. This course invites you into the lived experiences of families raising children with special needs, what they face, what they feel, and what they need from their caregivers. If you're ready to deepen your understanding, reflect on your role, and build more authentic, supportive relationships with families, this self-study is for you. 🖥️ Register today at the link in the comments. #inclusionmatters #specialneedsfamily #childadvocacy #helpfamilies #childadvocate

You know that child who covers their ears at the slightest noise? Or the one who melts down the moment their routine changes? Many young children navigate the world with sensory systems that feel too much or are insufficient. As an educator, you're expected to know how to help without always being given the right tools. We created the Supporting Sensory Needs of Young Children in Your Care self-study to help you understand Sensory Processing Disorder, why it affects behavior, and how to create calm, responsive environments that truly support every child. You'll walk away with real strategies, practical insight, and 10 clock hours of approved training. 💻 Join the self-study and start learning at your own pace. Your reflection, your growth, your time. https://lnkd.in/dqPQHjxX #inclusionmatters #childdevelopment #sensoryneeds #teachertools #sensorysupport

What a night! A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for "Is There An App For That?", an incredible evening of conversation, connection, and curiosity about early childhood and technology. We're so grateful to Erin Walsh for guiding us with humor, honesty, and research-backed wisdom and to our strong partner at Minnesota Association for Children's Mental Health for helping make this event possible. From thoughtful takeaways to shared laughter (and some big, needed sighs of relief), this event reminded us how important it is to come together to support the young children in our care and the people raising them. We also want to thank our event host, La Doña Cervecería, for the event space and the delicious appetizers and beverages. Swipe through to catch some highlights from the evening—and if you were there, we'd love to hear what stuck with you the most! #inclusionmatters #childdevelopment #earlychildhoodeducators #kidsandtechnology #screentime

There are moments in this work that stay with you—a child who doesn’t speak but whose eyes say everything.  A meltdown that leaves you rattled long after the room is quiet again. That feeling in your gut telling you a child might need more than you’re trained to give. All Together Now: Embracing Inclusion and Special Needs in Early Childhood is a free mini-coaching session designed to help early childhood professionals sort through those quiet questions and walk away with real, usable strategies for supporting children with disabilities, special needs, or suspected delays. You don’t have to guess. You don’t have to figure it out alone. Join us on April 22nd. You can sign up at the link in the comments. #inclusionmatters #specialneedsmoms #specialneedschildren #specialneedsfamilies #specialneedsparents

What if the key to healthier kids, stronger families, and more resilient communities starts with understanding the science behind early childhood experiences? Join us on Tuesday, May 6, at Pine Technical and Community College for a free presentation on NEAR Science. This approach explores how early adversity impacts brain development and health and how resilience can be built through relationships, understanding, and care. Hosted by Pine Technical & Community College and the Center for Inclusive Child Care (CICC), presented by our partners at FamilyWise, and sponsored by 80x3, an initiative of Greater Twin Cities United Way. If you’re a caregiver, educator, or someone who wants to help make your community a place where all children can thrive, this evening is for you. Participants will also earn 2 hours of Develop-approved training (KCF IX), which counts toward Parent Aware. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gDJkgBjt #inclusionmatters #teachercommunity #teacherwellness #beresilient #caregivertraining

The right care can mean everything for a child with special needs. It means having a teacher who understands them. It means feeling included, supported, and valued in their early years—when it matters most. At CICC, we make that possible by coaching, training, and supporting early childhood educators at no cost to them. We equip child care providers with the skills and confidence they need to welcome every child into their classroom—so no child is left behind. But here’s the truth: we rely on donors like you to keep this work going. When you give to CICC, you’re not just donating; you’re ensuring that child care providers get the resources they need to create safe, inclusive learning environments for kids across Minnesota. You’re changing lives. 💛 Give today because every child deserves to belong. #inclusionmatters #earlychildhoodeducation #inclusiveeducation #mnfamily #supportteachers

If you work with young children, you may be the first to notice when something feels slightly “off.” In the latest Inclusion Matters podcast, we talk with Kim Hicks and Nicole Berning from the MN Department of Human Services about early signs of autism—and the powerful role early childhood professionals play in supporting families through those first questions and concerns. This conversation is full of insight, encouragement, and real-world examples to help you feel more confident in recognizing early signs and knowing what to do next. This is part one of a two-part series exploring the Minnesota Autism Resource Portal. Take a listen at the link in the bio. #inclusionmatters #autismawareness #earlyintervention #childdevelopment #inclusivecare