Early Learning Scholarships

Prairie Five Community Action is an area administrator of Minnesota Early Learning Scholarships in Big Stone, Chippewa, Lac qui Parle, Swift, and Yellow Medicine counties. Early Learning Scholarships increase access to high-quality childcare and early education programs for children ages 0-4 with the highest needs.

Where can Early Learning Scholarships be used?

Early Learning Scholarships may be used at any program participating in Parent Aware in Minnesota. Parent Aware is Minnesota’s Quality Rating and Improvement System for early childhood programs. Families can learn more about Parent Aware or find a participating program by visiting ParentAware.org.

How can I apply for an Early Learning Scholarship?

To find out more about Early Learning Scholarship eligibility or to apply online, please visit EarlyLearningScholarshipsHub.mn.gov.

For more information or to request a paper application, please contact our office at early.learning.scholarship@prairiefive.org or 800-292-5437.

 

Funding provided by the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families using state funding to support administration of Early Learning Scholarships, 142D.25.

Early Childhood Screenings

Early Childhood Screenings are required for all children 3-years and older who are awarded an Early Learning Scholarship.  Early Childhood Screenings are a no-cost check-in of how a child is growing, moving, talking, seeing, hearing, and behaving.  Screenings help discover needs and potential concerns and connect families to resources to address those concerns.  Find your local screening program here!

More Child Care Resources!

  • ParentAware.org – Search for Parent Aware rated programs.
  • DHS Licensing Lookup – Need help finding licensed childcare programs in your community?  Search for Family Child Care, Child Care Centers, and Certified Child Care Centers using the DHS Licensing Lookup.
  • Head Start & Early Head Start – A comprehensive early childhood program serving income eligible pregnant women and families with children up to 5 years old.
  • School-based Preschool Programs – School-based preschool programs help 3- and 4-year-olds learn, grow, and develop.
  • Child Care Assistance Program  – The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) can help low income families pay for quality child care.
  • Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) – The Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) helps families with children meet their basic needs, while helping parents move to financial stability through work.
  • Help Me Connect – Help Me Connect is a free online resource portal that helps families find local programs and services that support healthy child development and family well-being. 
  • Help Me Grow MN – Help Me Grow Minnesota helps families learn about their young child’s development and get connected to early childhood specialists in their local school district or cooperative when they have concerns.
  • Early Childhood Screening – Early Childhood Screening is a no-cost check-in of how a child is growing, moving, talking, seeing, hearing and behaving. 
  • Whole Family Approach – A Whole Family Approach is an approach to practice, program and policy decision making that recognizes and addresses the needs of children and the adults in their lives simultaneously.

Grant Information
Leadership & Oversight