MN HF2097

Establishes a 15 percent rate differential above the maximum rate for family child care providers and child care centers that hold an early childhood development credential or accreditation.

For family child care providers, qualifies those with a child development associate degree, credential, Minnesota technical college diploma in child development, or bachelor's/post-baccalaureate degree in early childhood education from an accredited college or university.

For family child care providers, also qualifies those accredited by the National Association for Family Child Care or the Competency Based Training and Assessment Program.

For child care centers, requires accrediting organizations to use standards promoting physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development, including positive adult-child interactions, age-appropriate activities, learning tracking systems, staff qualifications, health/safety requirements, and family engagement strategies.

Directs the Commissioner of Human Services to develop an accreditation approval process by February 15, 2013, in conjunction with the Commissioners of Education and Health, recognizing specific accreditations (NAEYC, Council on Accreditation, NECPA, NSACA, Head Start, and specified Montessori organizations) until the process is implemented.