Minnesota Department of Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jesson on Thursday visited a highly touted early-childhood education program in Rochester to highlight its successes.
Erin Underbakke's Little Tykes Daycare received a four-star rating last June as part of Minnesota's ambitious Parent Aware program, which now includes more than 1,000 such programs around the state. However, Underbakke's program is one of the few who have received the highest possible rating.
The program is in roughly half of the state's 87 counties, with a stated goal of reaching every corner of Minnesota by 2015.
"Children from disadvantaged backgrounds are less likely to be fully prepared for kindergarten than their more advantaged peers," said Jesson, who read to children during Thursday's visit. "Too many never catch up. By investing in quality early education, and giving parents the information they need, more Minnesota children will get a great start in life."
Underbakke has been operating her daycare program for 13 years. She jumped at the chance to join Parent Aware when it expanded to Olmsted County in 2013.
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Gov. Mark Dayton and the Minnesota Legislature will use a portion of $19.4 million to provide incentives to those providing high-quality care. Specifically, those who attain three- or four-star ratings will be paid additional funds through the state's Child Care Assistance Program.
