Minnesota families seeking child care assistance face growing delays, rising waitlists, and deepening uncertainty, even as the state invests millions in early-learning programs designed to help low-income families access stable, high-quality care.
According to the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), more than 7,215 children were waiting for Early Learning Scholarships as of October 2025. That’s more than double the 3,256 on the waitlist a year earlier.
Wait times for the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) are also rising and spreading beyond Hennepin County. Nine Minnesota counties now have a combined 2,282 families waiting for CCAP’s Basic Sliding Fee program. In 2024, only four counties had waitlists, most in Hennepin. Families in nearly every metro county now face limited access.
The most dramatic increase is in the Early Learning Scholarships program. The waitlist more than doubled in a year, driven in part by a new, easier online application process.
“For Think Small, it’s almost like this change happened overnight,” CEO Cisa Keller said. “We basically went from no waitlist at the end of last fiscal year to over 7,000 families today. These are families we know are income-eligible. We know their children would benefit from this service, but there’s not enough funding to support them.”
Much of the surge occurred within five months after a one-time investment the Legislature approved in 2023 ended. Temporary funds had boosted the program to $197 million in fiscal years 2024 and 2025. Starting in fiscal year 2026, the appropriation is now estimated at $101 million, roughly half the previous amount.
For parents navigating waitlists, the effects are immediate and severe. Families may rely on friends or relatives for free or low-cost child care, which can be inconsistent or unstable. Some take on debt, delay paying bills, or sacrifice other basic needs. Others must turn down jobs or reduce work hours.
“These are families we know are income-eligible and meet all requirements, but there isn’t enough funding to support them.”
“Lack of affordable, consistent child care can impact a parent’s ability to find work, go to work, or attend school,” DCYF said in a written statement. “It limits economic stability and the opportunity to provide for their family.”
For young children, unstable early learning can mean missing crucial developmental milestones. High-quality, consistent early education supports social and emotional regulation, especially during the first five years when the brain develops rapidly. Without stability, children may enter kindergarten behind their peers.
“We want to make sure families aren’t forced to choose between quality and affordability,” Keller said. “Quality shouldn’t be a luxury. It should be the baseline.”
Child Care Aware Executive Director Candace Yates said funding changes have worsened an already challenging situation. Families are increasingly relying on relatives or neighbors for temporary care.
Minnesota’s child care system is funded through a mix of federal and state dollars, with programs serving similar but distinct needs. CCAP receives nearly equal funding from both sources, about $226 million federal and $228 million state. Early Learning Scholarships are fully state-funded and provide income- and age-based support until children enter kindergarten.
Minnesota stands out nationally for keeping families eligible for Early Learning Scholarships until kindergarten, a factor that has driven demand.
Keller said even strong programs cannot reach their potential without adequate funding. “Families know they’re eligible. They know the program is available, but they can’t access it,” she said.
Despite these challenges, Minnesota remains generous in early-learning policy. But when investments are temporary, the system becomes unstable, leading to long waitlists and uncertainty for families.
Lizzy Nyoike is a Hubbard School of Journalism & Mass Communication student