ParentAwareLogoParent Aware is a voluntary quality rating and improvement system  for early education programs developed by the State of Minnesota. The primary purpose of Parent Aware is to support parents by providing information about the quality of early care and education programs. Parent Aware uses ratings to recognize quality and promotes quality improvement using a variety of resources. The criteria for rating includes physical health and well being, teaching and relationships, assessment of child progress, and teacher training and education that includes coaching, improvement support dollars, professional development, advising and training. Together, these strategies aimed at parents and early care and education programs target an ultimate goal of improving children’s school readiness.

Participating programs have:
• Volunteered for extra, in-depth training
• Devoted themselves to strong, caring relationships with each child
• Adopted the latest approaches to keeping children’s learning on track
• Committed to daily activities and routines that help children learn
• Placed a focus on children’s health and safety.

Minnesota issues the Star Ratings based on whether the providers are implementing best practices such as teacher training and assessments to track child development. Open Door Preschool is proud to announce that we have achieved the highest possible rating and are a 4 star rated program. This will enable parents who meet the financial criteria to apply for early learning scholarships of up to $7500/year. Money is limited and is awarded on a first come first served basis. It is the parents responsibility to submit scholarship applications.

Information regarding this option along with the required application form, which must be sent directly to the address listed below, is available for download here. This must be read completely prior to filling out the application.

Download Scholarship Application Form PDF

This application should be sent to the regional administrator:

Julie Maxwell/ Scholarships Administrator
Families First of MN
Early Learning Scholarships
126 Woodlake Drive SE
Rochester, MN 55904