Early Childhood

 WIC benefits, Minnesota and the government shutdown: 4 questions, answered
The federal Women, Infants and Children program got a reprieve from federal shutdown cuts through early December. But even as the government moves closer to reopening, WIC families in Minnesota are still affected by the uncertainty. 
ByHeart recalls all baby formula sold nationwide as infant botulism outbreak grows
Baby formula manufacturer ByHeart recalled all of its products sold nationwide Tuesday. The move comes days after some batches were recalled amid an expanding outbreak of infant botulism.
Canada loses measles elimination status after ongoing outbreaks
International health experts say Canada is no longer measles-free because of ongoing outbreaks, as childhood vaccination rates fall and the highly contagious virus spreads across North and South America. 
Funding for Minnesota Head Start programs at risk as federal shutdown continues
If the federal government shutdown continues into November, four large Head Start early childhood education programs in Minnesota likely won't receive the funding they need to operate.
Fergus Falls leaning into homey day care ‘pods’
Plans are afoot in Fergus Falls to build out a series of adjacent day care pods, which require less overhead than center-based facilities while offering some of the comforts associated with home-based care. 
Why more parents are riding cargo bikes, skipping the minivan
Many parents are now are forgoing minivans for greener alternatives: cargo bikes. They have been around for decades, but the advent of the electric bike motor has made them much more popular.
In St. Paul, a push to create new opportunities for Latina child care providers
The CLUES Family Wellness and Childcare Business Incubator is one of the first of its kind to launch Latina-owned child care business support. The incubator’s directors hope to build a pipeline of Latino business owners.
Child care providers want changes to strict rules that result in costly upgrades, licensing issues
Family home-based child care providers are leaving the profession. Some say it’s because of complex regulations and strict enforcement that’s driving up the cost of doing business. But, there is bipartisan legislation that could change that.
What research says about parenting, attachment and raising resilient kids
MPR News guest host Kelly Gordon and early childhood education reporter Kyra Miles talk with a developmental psychologist about what creates a strong attachment between parent and child — and why it matters.