Three Rivers Community Action has announced a new family childcare owner initiative at the Northfield Community Resource Center (NCRC), located at 1651 Jefferson Parkway. Together with partners Healthy Community Initiative, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, and Families First of Minnesota, Three Rivers is working to address unmet childcare needs in the Northfield community.

Using a new partnership model, classroom space and business support will be provided to individuals who are looking to start a new career or relocate their current family childcare business. The selected owner or owners will receive high quality classroom space at an affordable rent, a starter kit of materials and supplies, and business consulting services.

To meet the growing demand for quality childcare, the selected applicant will provide childcare for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, and will be encouraged to enroll children who participate in the Child Care Assistance Program. Bilingual individuals of color and those who will provide childcare during non-traditional hours will be prioritized in the selection process.

“We are honored to play a role in supporting southern Minnesota communities as they develop child care solutions,” said Rae Jean Hansen, vice president of early childhood at SMIF. “This innovative approach to supporting child care business owners in Northfield will be a major asset for families in the community.”

Applications are open now; those received on or before February 28, 2022, will be given priority.

To learn more, visit www.threeriverscap.org/early-childhood/northfield-child-care-partnership or contact Jane Adams Barber, Head Start Director, Three Rivers Community Action, at 507-322-3884 or jadamsbarber@threeriverscap.org.

You can also read about the partnership in this recent Northfield News article:

Read the article here

Photo: Jane Adams Barber, Three Rivers Community Action director. (Pamela Thompson/southernminn.com)