MN HF1958

Establishes the early education access fund in the Department of Administration to coordinate appropriations for high-quality early child care and education programs.

Creates a director of early education and development position appointed by the governor with Senate confirmation to coordinate four early education programs: school readiness, voluntary pre-kindergarten, early learning scholarships, and Head Start.

Requires programs receiving aid to participate in the quality rating and improvement system, with children needing at least 350 hours annual enrollment and capped aid at the 75th percentile of market rate survey adjusted biennially.

Authorizes the director to establish early education resource hubs throughout the state to support family outreach, resource connection, and program choice through contracted organizations.

Appropriates $33.683 million for school readiness (fiscal years 2018-2019), $25.1 million for Head Start (2018-2019), and $1.75 million for quality rating system (2018-2019); requires a report by January 15, 2018 on integrating child care assistance and related programs.