Center for Inclusive Child Care

Do you ever feel like you're supposed to have all the answers—but no one told you where to get them? You're not alone. Whether you're running a licensed program or watching your neighbor's kids after school, the system can feel confusing and overwhelming, like it was built without you in mind. That's why this upcoming Early Childhood Connector Call matters. It's a chance to get real answers from state staff on legislation, licensing, grants, and programs—all in one place. You bring the questions; they bring the clarity. The call is on Tuesday, April 29, at 7 p.m., and it's open to all early childhood educators, licensed or not. Questions need to be submitted by Friday, April 11 (they won't take live ones during the call), so don't wait. This is your chance to get the answers you've been needing. To join, click the meeting link in the comments. #inclusionmatters #childcarecenter #qualitychildcare #teachercommunity #childcareprofessional

You've had the hard conversations—the ones where you weren't sure what to say, the ones where a parent showed up upset, quiet, or checked out, and you left wondering if you did it right. Family engagement isn't easy. It's emotional, messy, and deeply personal, yet it's one of the most important parts of early childhood education. It's the Week of the Young Child, and we're honoring the complete picture of what it means to care for young children, including building strong, trusting relationships with their families. Our Engaging with Families tip sheet explains the Five Rs: respect, responsiveness, relationship, reciprocity, and reflection. It's full of real strategies for building connections without burnout. 💛 Download it now at the link in the comments. #inclusionmatters #supportfamilies #helpfamilies #helpingfamilies #naeyc

We’re really looking forward to a special event on Thursday, April 17, at 6:00 PM at La Doña Cervecería in Minneapolis, and we’d love for you to attend. We’re hosting Erin Walsh, a nationally recognized speaker and expert on child development and technology. She’ll focus on what the latest research tells us about young children and their relationship with technology, which feels more important than ever for those of us working in early childhood education. This evening is meant to be both informative and enjoyable. We’ve intentionally kept the event small to feel personal and allow for good conversation. Your ticket includes appetizers, fun surprises, and a chance to connect with others who care deeply about supporting children and families. Use the code DEAL50 to get half off your ticket. If you’re a student, your ticket is completely free (but you must register at the events page on our website). We hope you’ll join us for this meaningful and timely discussion. It will be a valuable night, and we’d love to see you there. Reserve your tickets here: https://lnkd.in/gvVsPWFJ #inclusionmatters #earlychildhoodeducation #childdevelopment #mnevents

🎉 Crayons, curiosity, belly laughs, and big feelings—it's Week of the Young Child and we’re here for all of it! Created by National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), this week celebrates our youngest learners and the incredible educators, caregivers, and families who help them grow, explore, and thrive. At CICC, we believe early childhood is where it all begins, and the people dedicated to these early years deserve to be seen, celebrated, and supported. 💛 Know an educator who makes a difference every single day? Tag them below and help us shine a light on early childhood heroes. #inclusionmatters #supportteachers #weekoftheyoungchild #caringforkids #naeyc

We're all feeling the tension between wanting to give young children the tools they need for the digital world—and not knowing how much is too soon. That's why we're teaming up with the Minnesota Association for Children's Mental Health to host Is There an App for That? Join us on April 17 from 6-8pm at La Doña Cervecería Brewery for a powerful conversation with nationally recognized expert Erin Walsh, M.A., about developmentally appropriate uses of technology in early childhood. If you've ever tried to make sense of the research on screens and young children, you know it's a maze of mixed messages. Erin brings clarity to that conversation—grounded in brain science, child development, and what works in real classrooms and homes. This event is ideal for early childhood educators who see technology show up earlier and more often and want real insight into how it's shaping young learners. Order your tickets now. Link is in the comments. #screentimealternatives #parentalcontrols #childrensmentalhealth #screentimelimits

Add a little music to your day, and watch your child’s imagination come to life. 🎶 Play is how young kids learn everything—from reading and math to how to get along with others. And when you mix in music? It takes their creativity to a whole new level. CICC’s Tip Sheet: Play and Creativity Using Music at Home is full of simple, fun ways to use music at home to support your child’s development: 💬 Sing during everyday moments like bath time or errands 💃 Have a family dance party (yes, really!) 🥄 Turn pots, pans, and spoons into instruments 🎨 Finger paint while listening to different styles of music 🧸 Use songs and stuffed animals for creative play at bedtime You don’t need to be a musician; just have fun with it! Sing silly songs, try new rhythms, make noise, and laugh together. These little moments make a big impact. Download your copy at the link in the comments. #inclusionmatters #childdevelopment #earlychildhoodeducation #importanceofplay #parentsupport

Today, on World Autism Awareness Day, we honor and uplift children with autism, their families, and the educators and caregivers walking beside them every day. Autism is a vast, beautiful, and often misunderstood range of experiences, needs, and ways of seeing the world. For families and providers, it can bring moments of deep connection and joy, alongside real challenges that require patience, creativity, and support. At CICC, understanding is the first step toward inclusion. That’s why we’ve created a free, downloadable Autism Spectrum Disorder Tip Sheet, a resource of practical strategies to better support early childhood communication, sensory processing, and social-emotional development. The answer to Autism isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. It’s about honoring each child’s unique needs and giving those who care for them the tools to meet those needs with compassion and confidence. Click the link below to read the full Tip Sheet. To every family loving and learning alongside a child with autism: we see you, we respect you, and we’re with you. #inclusionmatters #celebratedifferences #WAAD #autismadvocacy #specialneedskids

Do you ever end the day thinking, "I should have known how to handle that," but realize no one ever taught you? Maybe it was a child melting down in a way you didn't expect. Or a parent asking questions you didn't have answers to. Or just that feeling in your gut that a child might need more support, but you're not sure what to do next. That's exactly why we're offering this free mini-coaching session: All Together Now: Embracing Inclusion and Special Needs in Early Childhood. It's one hour, low-pressure, and built specifically for early educators who do their best to show up for every child, including those with disabilities, special needs, or suspected delays. You'll leave with tools, clarity, and 1 hour of Develop-approved professional development credit. Choose the date that works for you and sign up using the link in the comments. You don't have to figure it all out on your own. #inclusionmatters #earlyeducators #earlyeducationmatters #inclusiveeducation #freecoaching

Como educador, sabes que el juego es mucho más que simple diversión. Es cómo los niños exploran, procesan emociones y construyen conexiones con el mundo. Pero, ¿cuál es el rol del adulto en este proceso?  ¿Cuándo debemos intervenir y cuándo es mejor dar un paso atrás? En nuestro episodio de Inclusion Matters, nos sentamos con Ronan y Karina para hablar sobre el papel fundamental que los adultos juegan en el aprendizaje a través del juego.  En CICC, entendemos los desafíos que enfrentan los educadores y cuidadores al equilibrar la estructura con la libertad de exploración. En este episodio, te brindamos estrategias claras y aplicables para fomentar un entorno de juego inclusivo, seguro y enriquecedor. Si quieres aprender cómo observar, guiar e inspirar sin interrumpir el proceso natural de juego, este episodio es para ti. 🎧 #inclusionmatters #childdevelopment #earlychildhoodeducation #juegoinfantil #cuidador

Families, don’t miss out on tax credits that could put real money back in your pocket. The Minnesota Child Tax Credit provides up to $1,750 per child under 18, and the number of children who qualify is unlimited. You might also be eligible for other credits like: ✔️ The Working Family Credit ✔️ Earned Income Tax Credit ✔️ K–12 Education Credit (school supplies and field trips count!) Not sure what you qualify for? This quick tool can help: https://lnkd.in/gzY7isS4 These credits are designed to support families; make sure you get what’s yours. #inclusionmatters #childtaxcredit #familysupport #familyfinance #mnfamilysupport