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Join Footnotes, a texting club and community service through MPR News offering early childhood news, updates and information for children aged 0-5 and their caregivers. Engage with other parents/guardians and early childhood reporter Kyra Miles:

Minnesota child care finances stabilize, but the business remains in flux

A new statewide survey shows fewer child care operators struggled financially last year in Minnesota, but changes in the child care business model and steeply rising costs still pose problems.
by Kyra Miles

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Child care closures renew worries around the economics of early learning

The University of St. Catherine’s decision to close its 93-year-old early childhood center is rekindling worries about the financial health of child care operations. Minnesota’s spending more but the needs and challenges are outrunning the new money.
by Kyra Miles

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Better wellness visits, healthier kids: Minnesota pediatricians try a new approach

Better wellness visits, healthier kids: Minnesota pediatricians try a new approach

Some pediatricians in the Twin Cities and St. Cloud are experimenting with a program they say is improving basic kid wellness visits and may lead to better outcomes for some of the youngest, neediest Minnesotans. The state’s looking at how it might help the program grow.
by Kyra Miles

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Minnesota launches child care initiative for military families

Minnesota launches child care initiative for military families

Gov. Tim Walz announced Monday the launch and expansion of the Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood-PLUS program to offset the cost of child care for military families in Minnesota.
by Kyra Miles

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As mental health worries rise for Black Minnesotans, focus shifts to strengthening kids, caregivers

As mental health worries rise for Black Minnesotans, focus shifts to strengthening kids, caregivers

The well-being of young children and their caregivers is closely connected, and children struggle when adults struggle. For Black Minnesota kids and their families, poverty and racism compound those problems. Charting a path forward includes preparing kids for a “harsh world,” one expert says.
by Kyra Miles

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The 5-minute daily playtime ritual that can get your kids to listen better

The 5-minute daily playtime ritual that can get your kids to listen better

Called "special time," the strategy is widely recommended by children's health professionals to help reduce behavioral issues in young children. Here's a guide on how to do it with your kids at home.
by Becky Harlan and Summer Thomad

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3 key facts about RSV and kids this season in Minnesota

3 key facts about RSV and kids this season in Minnesota

Last year was one of the worst in recent Minnesota history for RSV infections and hospitalizations. This season has been much more manageable, although numbers are rising and health officials are keeping close watch on the data. Here’s what to know.
by Kyra Miles

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DFL lawmakers eye big boost in child care spending

Two DFL legislators on Thursday proposed expanding state child care and early education subsidies so that families would pay no more than 7 percent of their income for child care. 
by Kyra Miles

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