Preschool Information & Policies

Preschool

two preschool girls on the playground

Philosophy

Minnehaha Academy’s educational philosophy is to provide a high quality play-based education integrating the Christian faith and learning to promote the physical, intellectual, cognitive, social, and emotional development of children. We also believe the task of Christian education is one shared by the school, church, and home. We believe early childhood education affects the long-term outcomes of children’s lives. Parents and teachers play a critical role in helping children become effective adults in our society. Our preschool provides young children with a rich and stimulating environment that is warm, loving, and supportive. Working together with parents, we want children to acquire a sense of security, positive self-esteem, and long-term enthusiasm for learning. Therefore, the purpose of our preschool is to provide the best possible Christian environment for the growth and holistic development of our children, which compliments and supports our educational philosophy.

Curriculum 

Minnehaha Academy’s licensed preschool emphasizes social development and readiness activities both as preparation for kindergarten and as the foundation for future learning. Minnehaha Academy utilizes ECIPs (Minnesota Early Childhood Indicators of Progress), PurposeFull People, Handwriting Without Tears, and S.M.A.R.T. (Stimulating Maturity through Accelerated Readiness Training), which helps teachers build children’s confidence, creativity, critical thinking skills, and promote positive outcomes. The program provides children with developmentally appropriate opportunities to acquire new skills and grow in curiosity. 

Minnehaha Academy Preschool is a play-based preschool which allows the teachers to teach the children through play and real-life situations. Play is important for the development of imagination, self-confidence, creativity, and problem solving. The educators foster a love of learning and encourage the children to become independent, self-confident, and inquisitive learners. Using hands-on learning centers, children are encouraged to experiment with science, math, language, art, music, dramatic play, and reading. Teachers create a rich and fun environment by providing their young learners with experiences in the areas of creative arts, construction, science, music, fine motor, large muscle, sensory, and dramatic and practical life experiences (including role-playing social situations that reflect children’s cultural backgrounds). Children are offered opportunities to engage in both active and quiet activities throughout the day both indoors and outdoors that are either teacher-directed or child-initiated.

Spiritual growth and faith formation is an integral daily routine within the preschool classroom. Children learn Bible stories, worship songs, engage in prayer and have weekly Chapel specifically designed for their age group. 

Through observations and assessments from Teaching Strategies Gold, the preschool teachers monitor each child’s progress and provide materials and tailored experiences for further exploration and development. The students are able to grow socially, emotionally, physically, intellectually, and spiritually and leave our preschool well prepared for the academic challenges of kindergarten along with life’s challenges.

Licensing

Minnehaha Academy’s Preschool Program complies with the licensing standards set by the Minnesota Department of Human Services. The program consists of one three-year old classroom and two four-year old classrooms. Our classrooms always maintain a 10:1 child to teacher ratio. As per the Department of Human Services Child Care Licensing standards, classes are capped at 20 students. 

Minnehaha Academy Preschool is a school open to all children, three (3), four (4), and five (5) years old, regardless of race, creed or color. Our students are enrolled in a class of a maximum of 20 students with a lead teacher and a teaching assistant or aide. The schedule for each class is as follows:

Hours

Three-Year Old Program

3-Day Option: Monday-Wednesday-Friday
Partial Day: 8:35 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Full Day: 8:35 a.m. – 3:10 p.m.

5-Day Option: Monday - Friday
Partial Day: 8:35 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Full Day: 8:35 a.m. – 3:10 p.m.

All children enrolled in the three-year-old program without the afternoon extension (1:00 – 3:10 p.m.) must be picked up at 1:00 p.m. each day. Please be sure to pick up your child on time so as not to disrupt the activities of the rest of the class. If you are late picking up your child, a fee will be assessed to your account.

Four-Year Old Program

3-Day Option: Monday-Wednesday-Friday
Full Day: 8:35 a.m. – 3:10 p.m.

5-Day Option: Monday - Friday
Full Day: 8:35 a.m. – 3:10 p.m.

Children are supervised by a teacher at all times. After school care will be available from 3:10 – 6:00 p.m. under the direction of our Extended Day Program.

After-School Care

After school care is available for both the three-year-old and four-year-old program through the Extended Day Program also known as Fun-N-Friends. Please contact the Extended Day Supervisor for more information. Fun-N-Friends information is also available on the Minnehaha website.

Conferences

Before school begins in the fall, we will schedule an initial parent-teacher orientation conference. The purpose of this conference is to give you and your child a chance to visit school together, meet the teacher, and submit important information required by licensing. Back to School Night and two additional parent-teacher conferences (fall and spring) will also be scheduled during the year. The conferences are an important time to talk with you about your child’s progress. We deeply value these opportunities to talk with parents! Teachers are also available for additional conferences as needed. 

Visitors

All visitors should check into the office upon arrival. Parents are welcome to schedule a visit to see your child’s classroom at any time.

Attendance

Students are expected to be in school except for the following:

  •  Illness
  •  Family emergencies
  •  Doctor or dentist appointments

If a student is absent, a parent is requested to call the school and/or send an email to the classroom teacher as soon as possible.

Drop-off and Pick-up Policies

Parents/guardians of preschoolers are required to walk their child(ren) into school. Please wait with your child near the fireplace/front hallway and then walk your child down to the classroom at 8:30 a.m. For your safety and that of your children, you are asked to supervise all of your children closely as you walk in the parking lot and enter/exit the school. To maintain expectations, we ask that children do not scream, climb or run near the fireplace or in the hallways.

Classroom doors will open at 8:30 a.m. Please do not leave until your child is inside his/her classroom. If your child is attending the waiting room, which opens at 8:00 am, please register through our Fun-N-Friends program website. There is a flat fee per year for the waiting room. If your child is NOT going to the waiting room, the classroom doors will be open at 8:30am and you are expected to wait with your child. 

The school day ends at 3:10 p.m. A parent or guardian must pick up their child at the front entrance of the school. If a child is not picked up by 3:30 p.m., he/she will join the Fun-N-Friends program and parents will be charged accordingly. Children will be dismissed only to authorized persons indicated on the Authorized Pick Up form. If someone on this list will be picking up your child(ren), please let us know in writing and then we will also check that person’s identification upon arrival. During the first parent-teacher orientation conference, teachers will discuss how your child will be transported to and from school. 

Fire Drills, Severe Weather Drills, and Lockdowns

It is important to train students in school safety procedures. Throughout the year we have several drills: Fire Drills, Severe Weather Drills, and Lockdown Drills. Students are provided specific instructions for each type of drill. These drills provide important opportunities to practice the instructions. Preschool children will have a monthly fire drill and periodic practice of other emergency situations. Each classroom has the procedures posted in the event that a substitute teacher is in the classroom at the time of a drill or live situation. Parents will also receive a copy of the preschool’s Emergency Plan via ParentSquare.

Snacks

Preschool children have two snacks per day: one in the morning and the other in the afternoon. Minnehaha Academy Preschool will supply one snack and the other snack will come from home. Parents are asked to provide a snack with TWO healthy snacks from two different food groups for their child each day. Purified water will be available to children throughout the day, and unsweetened apple juice will be served during one snack time. 

Lunch

Children will have lunch in their classroom. Students will be required to bring a cold lunch to school each day. Due to supervision requirements, preschoolers will not be able to buy lunch at school. According to DHS licensing requirements, every lunch should include whole grains, at least one protein, dairy (unless dairy-free), vegetables, and fruit. If you desire to send something warm, a thermos is a good solution. Student lunches and milk will be kept  in refrigerators with a thermometer set at 40 degrees.

Milk Policy

According to licensing, skim or 1% milk must be offered and can be purchased through our contracted lunch provider, Taher. Milk will be in a refrigerator that will be kept at 40 degrees, with a thermometer in each refrigerator. Milk money should be prepaid through a check made to Taher and left in the front office. Please include your child’s name and account number in the memo line.  Also if your child requires a milk substitute, please provide a doctor’s note and then you can provide that substitute that we will store in our refrigerator with your child’s first and last name.

Pets

We do not allow pets in the classroom. Parents will be notified of any visiting animals.

Nap Time

All preschoolers will have a rest time (1:30-2:00) during the afternoon after lunch and recess. Each child has his/her own designated cot. We request that each child bring a labeled blanket, a small pillow (optional) and ONE small stuffed animal. Every Friday, we will send home the cot items to be washed over the weekend. Please return them to school the following Monday. While it is not required for children to fall asleep, children are expected to rest quietly on their cots for 30 minutes to give their bodies and minds a rest and to show consideration to other children who may need a nap. Children will be given an afternoon snack and will participate in quiet table activities until all children are awake or until 2:30. During initial conferences, the teachers will ask you to share your child’s napping habits.

Clothing

Outdoor clothing should be appropriate for the weather and easy for the child to handle since children will be going outdoors every day, weather permitting. Children will be encouraged to dress themselves as much as possible. When purchasing new clothing for your child please consider Velcro shoes and clothing that children can put on independently. Please mark all of your child’s clothing as well as other articles that are brought to school. We also request sending a separate Ziploc bag of weather appropriate clothing such as underwear, shirt, pants and socks to keep at school in the event of an accident.

Toys

The preschool teachers provide special opportunities for the children to bring toys from home to show their classmates during such times as Show and Tell. Outside of those specific opportunities toys should be left at home.

Behavior Guidance

At Minnehaha Academy, we are committed to maintaining a climate where all individuals feel safe and valued. All classroom teachers will introduce, practice, and talk about school-wide and classroom guidelines aimed towards positive behavioral choices and a loving community. Our aim is for children to grow in self-regulation with teachable hearts in order to maintain a vibrant, healthy environment for students to learn, grow, and thrive.

Some examples of unacceptable behavior include: hitting/pushing, biting, using unkind or inappropriate words, throwing toys, and running away from the designated learning environment. 

If children exhibit unacceptable behavior, preschool teachers and staff will:

  • Ensure that each child is provided with a positive model of acceptable behavior as well as model appropriate expressions of his/her feeling. 
  • Tailor behavior expectations to the child’s developmental level.
  • Anticipate problem situations and intervene by redirecting the child towards a positive alternative. 
  • Teach children how to use acceptable alternatives to problem behavior in order to reduce conflict such as use of the calming area in the classroom. Engage the children in cooperative problem solving. 
  • Protect the safety of children and staff persons through explicitly taught clear routines, procedures, and expectations. Teachers will maintain close proximity in the classroom and on the playground.
  • Provide immediate and directly related consequences for a child’s unacceptable behavior.

Intervention Steps

If a child exhibits ongoing challenging behavior, the staff will:

  • Work with the preschool director, school administration, and the child’s parents to create a specific behavior plan to improve the child’s behavior.
  • Maintain an anecdotal record of the child’s behavior, intervention methods, and its effectiveness. 
  • If separation from the group is necessary, the preschool director will record the incident on the separation log and notify the parents. 
  • If a child cannot successfully rejoin the class within a reasonable time period or if the child’s behavior escalates and is a possible threat to the safety of the child or others, the child will need to go home.
  • If the student is not able to make positive changes over time, continued enrollment at Minnehaha Academy will be revisited.

Full Behavior Guidance Policy available upon request.

Biting Policy

Sometimes children get overwhelmed or frustrated and will unfortunately bite other children during their preschool years. We want to be supportive of parents/caregivers as they teach their children not to bite, while at the same time protecting other children in our care.

If a bite does occur, we will first direct attention to the child who was bitten. The child will be evaluated by the school’s registered nurse. After being evaluated, the nurse may suggest that a parent/caregiver seek medical attention for a child if the bite they received breaks the skin.

If further medical attention is not required, we will continue to help the child who was bitten calm down and re-enter play when they are ready. If a child is bitten, the teacher will talk with the parent/caregiver when they come to pick up their child if they were not contacted by the school nurse.

Prone Restraint and Contraindicated Restraint Prohibitions

The use of prone restraints (a restraint that places a child/person in a face-down position) are prohibited at Minnehaha Academy Preschool.

Toileting Policy

Preschoolers must be fully potty-trained before starting Minnehaha Academy Preschool. This includes self-care after using the bathroom facilities. Pull-ups are NOT allowed.

Recess & Playground Procedures

Weather permitting, all students participate in outdoor recess every day. Please dress children in appropriate play clothes. Children will participate in recess play from 12:30-1:00 p.m. each day. Students are expected to dress for safe and healthy participation in outdoor activity. Students are required to participate in recess unless they have a written release from home or a medical provider.

Recess Attire & Weather Conditions

Students are required to be appropriately dressed for weather conditions and outdoor recess. Please ensure your child is dressed appropriately for the current day’s weather conditions. Once the temperature is 40 degrees or lower, we require students to have a jacket, snow pants, gloves, warm hat, and boots to participate in outdoor recess. If students are inadequately dressed, they will be sent to the office for recess and a reminder will be sent home. 

We monitor the weather closely. If the temperature and wind chill drop below 0 degrees or 100 degrees fahrenheit or higher, we will have indoor recess for students. 

Please label every item of clothing or equipment your child brings to school with your child’s first and last name. Unclaimed items will be kept in the school’s Lost and Found located near the school cafeteria. Unclaimed items at the end of the year will be donated. 

Health and Wellness Policy

Beliefs

Minnehaha recognizes that we are a reflection of our Creator God (Genesis 2:7) and that “we are fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). God calls us to be good stewards of the body he has created (I Corinthians 6:19-20). Minnehaha recognizes that good nutrition and physical activity are essential for students to maximize their full academic/physical potential and achieve lifelong wellness. A conscientious approach to nutrition and physical activity promotes healthy weight maintenance thereby reducing the risk/severity of many chronic diseases.

Goals:

  •  Maximize opportunities for physical activity and promote lifelong fitness 
  •  Limit classroom food-related celebrations with sweets to one time per month
  •  Promote healthy lunches, snacks, lifestyles, and choices
  •  Provide educational resources for families, students, and faculty

Lower and Middle School Policy Regarding Food at School

  •  Healthy Eating at School: Families are encouraged to pack healthy food items. Healthy snacks include fruits, vegetables, and other items low in sugars, fats, and salt. Snacks eaten in the classroom must not contain peanuts or tree nuts or processed in a facility with tree nuts..
  •  Healthy School Celebrations: Classroom celebrations that involve food during the school day are generally limited to one party per class per month and should include healthy foods. If foods are eaten in the classroom, areas where food is eaten will be properly cleaned to prevent accidental exposure to allergens. Foods must not contain peanuts or tree nuts. Food must be store bought with a visible ingredients label.  
  •  Birthday Celebrations: Food items are not permitted. If you wish to recognize your student’s special day, you may check with your student’s teacher for celebration ideas that do not include food.
  •  Healthy Fundraisers: Non-food fundraisers are encouraged. If food is used in celebrations and fundraisers, items must be store bought with ingredient labels visible. Foods with peanuts or tree nuts will not be used.

Allergy Prevention and Response

LEGAL AUTHORITY: MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 245A.41, SUBDIVISION 1, WRITTEN POLICIES MUST INCLUDE:

A. Procedures to follow that specify the license holder will obtain documentation of any known allergy from a child’s parent or legal guardian or the child’s source of medical care before admitting the child for care. If a child has a known allergy, the license holder must maintain current information about the allergy in the child’s record.

B. Procedures to develop an individual child care program plan as specified in Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0065.subpart 3. The individual child care program plan must include, but not be limited to:

(1) A description of the allergy;

(2) Specific triggers;

(3) Avoidance techniques;

(4) Symptoms of an allergic reaction; and

(5) Procedures for responding to an allergic reaction, including:

(a) Medication

(b) Dosages

(c) Doctor’s contact information

C. Procedures to ensure that each staff person who is responsible for carrying out the individual child care program plan review and follow the plan. Documentation of a staff person’s review must be kept on site.

D. Procedures to ensure that at least once each calendar year or following any changes made to allergy-related information in the child’s record, the license holder must update the child’s individual child care program plan (ICCPP) and inform each staff person who is responsible for carrying out the individual child care program plan of the change.The license holder must keep on site documentation on-site that a staff person was informed of a change and obtain staff signatures.

E. Procedures to ensure that a child’s allergy information will be available at all times, including on site, when on field trips, and during transportation. A child’s food allergy information must be readily available to a staff person in the area where food is prepared and where food is served to the child.

F. Procedures to follow that specify the license holder will contact the child’s parent or legal guardian as soon as possible in any instance of exposure or allergic reaction that requires medication or medical intervention. The license holder must call emergency medical services when epinephrine is administered to a child in the license.

Life-Threatening Food Allergy Policy

Allergy and Anaphylaxis Action Plans based on physician’s orders will be maintained in the health office. It is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to provide the health office and other staff with new emergency plans every year. DHS-licensing requires a physician to complete an individual child care program plan before preschool children begin the school year or if a new allergen becomes apparent. All students with known allergies should have a written ICCPP (individual child care program plan). 

Here’s what should be included:

  •  a description of the allergy
  •  specific triggers
  •  avoidance techniques
  •  symptoms of an allergic reaction
  •  procedures for responding to an allergic reaction, including: medication, dosages, and doctor contact information

All preschool staff who have direct contact with students who have life-threatening allergies will be instructed on risk reduction and epi-pen administration. All staff within the preschool program sign and date the ICCPP. An ICCPP will be posted in the preschool kitchen and inside the cabinet in room 106. ICCPP are also kept within the nurse’s files, the student’s files and in emergency backpacks.

Classroom Accommodations

All classrooms will be designated Allergy Aware. (The most common food allergens include peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, eggs, soy, wheat, and milk). Nuts and nut products will not be allowed in the classroom. Snacks that have been processed in a facility that also processes nuts are allowed, but NOT products that have been processed on equipment that also processes nuts.   

Students will be encouraged to wash their hands with soap and water before school begins as well as before and after eating. (Hand sanitizers do not remove allergenic substances). If it is suspected that a student’s table has been contaminated with an allergen, the desk will be cleaned with soap and water or disinfectant wipes. If a classroom has been used for an after-school program, the supervising adult will be responsible for washing desks and surfaces to remove allergens.

Field trip Accommodations 

Emergency medications will be sent on field trips with a responsible student, chaperone, or staff member. When appropriate, invite parents of a student at risk for a life-threatening reaction to accompany their student.  

The teacher or chaperone must always have a cell phone or other emergency communication device when on a field trip. 

Lunchroom Accommodations

  •  All children wash their hands with soap and water before eating a snack and lunch.
  •  Preschool children eat lunch within the classroom. Student lunches should have 5 food groups: 1% milk, protein, whole grain, a fruit and a vegetable. 
  •  Preschool staff will read labels of food.
  •  Unfinished food is sent home.
  •  Tables will be washed with soap and water and sprayed with an EPA-approved disinfectant before and after snack and lunch.
  •  Sharing or trading of food, containers, or utensils is not allowed. 

Bus and Extracurricular Accommodations

If your student rides the bus, parents/guardians will be responsible for addressing their student’s life-threatening allergies with the bus company. 

Students will not eat on buses when traveling to and from field trips. If a change in this accommodation for a particular field trip is deemed necessary, the change should be discussed with the school nurse before the field trip.  

If your student participates in the before/after-school program, sports, or extracurricular activities, parents/guardians will be responsible for addressing any health concerns with before/after-school program staff or coaches, including providing them with emergency plans and medical supplies as necessary. 

Responsibilities

Student with Life-threatening Allergies

  • Wash hands before and after eating, as well as avoiding known allergens.  
  • Never trade or share food, containers, trays, napkins, or utensils with anyone. 
  • Learn to recognize symptoms of an allergic reaction and promptly inform an adult and report to the school nurse.

Parent/Guardian of the Student with Life-threatening Allergies

  • Inform the school nurse and the preschool teacher of the student’s allergy prior to school year or as soon as possible after a diagnosis so that an ICCPP can be created.
  • Provide a school nurse with a minimum of 2 up-to-date epi-pens and medication orders in original packaging with the prescription label on it.
  • Provide before/after school program or other extracurricular staff with epi-pens.    
  • Provide a bag of “safe snacks” for their student in the student’s classroom. 

School Nurse

  • Conduct education for appropriate faculty and staff regarding life-threatening allergies, symptoms, risk reduction procedures, and epi-pen administration.  
  • Ensure that epi-pens are accessible to faculty and staff while students are present in the building from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM.  

Teachers

  • Be fully aware of and in compliance with all aspects of the policy for managing life-threatening allergies. Review individualized Allergy Action Plans of students in your classroom with life-threatening allergies. All preschool staff review and sign ICCPP plans.
  • Know where to access epi-pens, other emergency medications, and emergency health plans in the event of a serious reaction.  
  • Act immediately if a student reports ANY signs of an allergic reaction, including difficulty breathing or swelling of the face/lips. Call the nurse immediately and follow the student’s Allergy Action Plan. 
  • If you suspect a “non life-threatening” allergic reaction, call the school nurse to evaluate immediately. 
  • On a need to know basis, share emergency health plans with volunteers, aides, and substitute teachers. Emphasize safeguards to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction.
  • Inform families of students with life-threatening food allergies of any school events where food will be served.  
  • Be sure to take emergency medications and have them readily accessible for the student on all field trips. Epi-pens should be stored at room temperature. Do NOT refrigerate or allow to reach temperatures in the high 80s and 90s F.

Lunchroom Aide/Playground Monitors

  • Be familiar with students who have life-threatening allergies. 
  • Clean tables to remove allergens – use clean or disposable clothes to avoid simply spreading the allergens around. 
  • Carry a communication device for quick contact with the nurse. Know where to access epi-pens in the event of an emergency. 
  • Enforce the Allergy Aware table policies.  

Reporting Policy for Programs Providing Services to Children

Who should report child abuse and neglect?

  •  Any person may voluntarily report abuse or neglect.
  •  If you work with children in a licensed facility, you are legally required or mandated to report and cannot shift the responsibility of reporting to your supervisor or to anyone else at your licensed facility. If you know or have reason to believe a child is being or has been neglected or physically or sexually abused within the preceding three years you must immediately (within 24 hours) make a report to an outside agency.

Where to Report

  •  If you know or suspect that a child is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.
  •  All reports concerning suspected abuse or neglect of children occurring in a licensed facility should be made to the Department of Human Services, Licensing Division’s Maltreatment Intake line at (651) 297-4123.
  •  Reports regarding incidents of suspected abuse or neglect of children occurring within a family or in the community should be made to the local county social services agency at (612) 348-3552 or local law enforcement at (612) 673-5703.
  •  If your report does not involve possible abuse or neglect, but does involve possible violations of Minnesota Statutes or Rules that govern the facility, you should call the Department of Human Services, Licensing Division at (651) 296-3971.

What to report

  •  Definitions of maltreatment are contained in the Reporting of Maltreatment of Minors Act (Minnesota Statutes, section 626.556) and should be attached to this policy.
  •  Report to any of the above agencies should contain enough information to identify the child involved, any person responsible for the abuse or neglect (if known), and the nature and extent of the maltreatment and/or possible licensing violations. For reports concerning suspected abuse or neglect occurring within a licensed facility, the report should include any actions taken by the facility in response to the incident.
  •  An oral report of suspected abuse or neglect made to one of the above agencies by a mandated reporter must be followed by a written report to the same agency within 72 hours, exclusive of weekends and holidays.

Retaliation Prohibited

  • An employer of any mandated reporter shall not retaliate against the mandated reporter for reports made in good faith or against a child with respect to whom the report is made. The Reporting of Maltreatment of Minors Act contains specific provisions regarding civil actions that can be initiated by mandated reporters who believe that retaliation has occurred.

Internal Review

When the facility has reason to know that an internal or external report of alleged or suspected maltreatment has been made, the facility must complete an internal review and take corrective action, if necessary, to protect the health and safety of children in care. The internal review must include an evaluation of whether:

  •  related policies and procedures were followed;
  •  the policies and procedures were adequate;
  •  there is a need for additional staff training;
  •  the reported event is similar to past events with the children or the services involved; and
  •  there is a need for corrective action by the license holder to protect the health and safety of children in care.

Primary and Secondary Person or Position to Ensure Internal Reviews are Completed

The internal review will be completed by the principal. If this individual is involved in the alleged or suspected maltreatment, the nurse will be responsible for completing the internal review.

Documentation of the Internal Review

The facility must document completion of the internal review and provide documentation of the review to the commissioner upon the commissioner’s request.

Corrective Action Plan

Based on the results of the internal review, the license holder must develop, document, and implement a corrective action plan designed to correct current lapses and prevent future lapses in performance by individuals or the license holder, if any.

Staff Training

The license holder must provide training to all staff related to the mandated reporting responsibilities as specified in the Reporting of Maltreatment of Minors Act (Minnesota Statutes, section 626.556). The license holder must document the provision of this training in individual personnel records, monitor implementation by staff, and ensure that the policy is readily accessible to staff, as specified under Minnesota Statutes, section 245A.04, subdivision 14.

The mandated reporting policy must be provided to parents of all children at the time of enrollment in the child care program and must be made available upon request.

Failure to Report

A mandated reporter who knows or has reason to believe a child is or has been neglected or physically or sexually abused and fails to report is guilty of a misdemeanor. In addition, a mandated reporter who fails to report maltreatment that is found to be serious or recurring maltreatment may be disqualified from employment in positions allowing direct contact with persons receiving services from programs licensed by the Department of Human Services and by the Minnesota Department of Health, and unlicensed Personal Care Provider Organizations.

Twin Cities Resources

To report cases of Suspected Child Abuse

  • Anoka County Child Protection: (763) 422-7125
  • Carver County Child Protection: (952) 361-1600
  • Dakota County Child Protection: (952) 891-7459
  • Hennepin County Child Protection: (612) 348-3552
  • Washington County Child Protection: (651) 430-6457
  • Department of Human Services, Division of Licensing: (651) 296-3971

Family Resources

There are many resources available in our community to support the well-being of the entire family. 

Hennepin County offers services in early childhood in the areas of health and development services, early childhood development, support for families, childhood immunizations, special needs services, preschool services, and home visit services.

Hennepin County Public Health Clinic
Health Services Building, 4th floor
525 Portland Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55415
612-543-5555
jane.auger@hennepin.us
Phone: 612-596-0542

North Point Health and Wellness Center
1313 Penn Avenue North
Minneapolis, MN 55411
612-543-2500  or visit http://www.hennepin.us/residents/health-medical/clinics-services

Resources for your child

We encourage families to stay up to date with well child visits to monitor your child’s growth and development. Most families are in regular communication with their family’s general practitioner or child’s pediatrician, but at times families may need additional support or services. Here is a list of resources available to families in our area:

Minnesota Department of Human Services 

Here you can find an abundance of information regarding mental health services and providers, locations for immunizations, dental and vision services, disability services, etc. The Minnesota Department of Human Services:

  •  provides health care coverage for low-income families
  •  secures economic assistance for struggling families
  •  provides food support
  •  oversees child protection and child welfare services
  •  enforces child support
  •  provides services for individuals with mental illness, chemical dependency, or physical or developmental delays

You can view the DHS website at mn.gov/dhs/ or contact the department by calling (651) 431-2000.

Early Childhood Screening

The Minnesota Department of Education provides Early Childhood Screening. It is a process that supports children’s readiness for kindergarten. The program helps identify children with possible health or developmental concerns that may impact learning. The process includes a check of vision and hearing, child development and a review of the child’s health. The program helps families access services for their children that will help them be ready for kindergarten. We recommend that children be screened at age 3. This screening will help:

  •  You find out how your child is doing.
  •  Connect you with early childhood programs and services.
  •  Answer your parenting questions.

You can set up an appointment for your child and learn more about the screening process at (612) 668-3715 or via email at: earlychildhoodscreening@mpls.k12.mn.us

Help Me Grow Initiative 

Some young children need extra help to learn and grow. Help Me Grow provides these resources for families by:

  •  looking at developmental milestones
  •  learning if there are concerns
  •  taking the lead in seeking additional support or in referring the child for a comprehensive, confidential screening or evaluation at no cost.

Minnesota children from birth to five-years-old, if found eligible, can receive services in their home, child care setting or school. These services are free (regardless of income or immigrant status). Help Me Grow is an interagency initiative of the State of Minnesota (Department of Education, Department of Health and Department of Human Services) partnering with all local service agencies. Website: helpmegrowmn.org or phone: 1-866-693-GROW (4769)

Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE)

Minneapolis ECFE builds and supports the skills and confidence of parents with children from birth to kindergarten. They provide a safe educational environment that promotes the healthy growth and development of young children and their parents. They provide:

  •  Weekly classes - Classes are taught by licensed early childhood educators and parent educators.
  •  Playtimes where children and their caregivers can play in an early childhood classroom. Activities are provided.
  •  Special events - A variety of special events are offered throughout the year where parents can interact with their children in a fun and enjoyable setting.

*More information can be found at ecfe.mpls.k12.mn.us or by calling them at (612)-668-2127

Minnesota Department of Education

The Minnesota Department of Education provides:

  •  early childhood screening
  •  toddler intervention
  •  early childhood special education services for students who are eligible
  •  connections with services provided by community public schools, etc.

Preschool Special Education is provided for children from age three until they begin kindergarten with developmental delays or other disabilities, and who are experiencing challenges in their learning and development. Eligible children can receive services in their home, child care setting or school. These services are free to eligible families, regardless of income or immigrant statue and are provided through Early Childhood Special Education programs in Minnesota’s school districts.

Contact information mde.ecse@state.mn.us or call at (651) 582-8473

If you have further questions regarding these services, please do not hesitate to talk to your child’s teacher or the school counselor at (612) 721-3359.