The state of Minnesota has a long history of commitment to education. In the mid eighteen hundreds, one of the first acts of the Minnesota Legislature was creating a teacher’s school. As recently as August of 2011, the state governor appointed twenty two Minnesotans to an Early Learning Council that focuses on increasing access to quality early childhood programs and care. The state has a below national average need for part time childcare and school-age care, but an above national average need for full time childcare and for infant/toddler, and preschool age care. Roughly one quarter of the state’s families with children under the age of eighteen are single parent families, also making the need for childcare options prevalent.
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Current cost for childcare in the state is about mid range when it comes to national annual fees for full time care for small children. Average full time annual tuition fees in Minnesota for an infant range from about seven to thirteen thousand dollars, and for a four year old child range from about seven to ten thousand dollars. There is also help available for paying tuition fees, and many participating providers to choose from. There is a high percentage of spaces available in family child care homes and in centers. Minnesota has around 2,000 childcare facilities, and around 11,5000 family childcare homes. Twelve percent of childcare facilities are nationally accredited, which is above the national average of ten percent. Zero percent of Minnesotan family childcare homes are accredited, which is below the national average of one percent for family childcare homes.
Minnesota is known as the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” and offers many ways to enjoy the outdoors. Water opportunities include boating and fishing during the warmer months, and skiing and ice fishing during colder months. Residents of the state are also very supportive of the arts. Minnesota boasts very high theater ticket sales, and residents and visitors alike enjoy the annual Minnesota Fringe Festival, which celebrates theater, dance, puppetry, improvisation, musical, and visual arts. Other favorite Minnesota draws include the Minnesota State Farm, and the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum. Little House on the Prairie Teacher, Charlotte Stewart, (Miss Beadle) will even be signing autographs at the museum in July 2012.
