EXCERPT FROM: St. Cloud Times
By Kirsti Marohn
Stearns County will get less money this year to help low- and moderate-income families pay for child care despite a growing number who are waiting for aid.

EXCERPT FROM: The Caledonia Argus
By Craig Moorhead
In the midst of the worst economic climate since the Great Depression, a local couple has chosen to open a new business in Caledonia. Troy and Emily Schroeder opened Kid’s Corner Daycare, located at 519 Old Highway Drive,  Nov. 2. The business provides full-time employment for Emily and five staff members, and is currently licensed for up to 42 children, with space for more. Emily talked about what the first month has been like during a recent interview.

If Olmsted County wants to look for an example of outsourcing its child-care licensing, it can view Mower County's experience.

another indication of Central Minnesotans’ financial struggles, the number of Stearns County families awaiting child care assistance is growing at a record rate.

Child-care costs in Minnesota are the third highest in the nation, based on the price of care as a percentage of the median income for a two-parent family, according to a new report from the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies.

After 20 years of providing quality day care for children, Someplace Special Childcare will close in June.

Teaching children how to count before kindergarten can save millions of dollars in the long-term, according to a recent study.

With a down economy, the Sherburne County Social Services Department is seeing increases in issues related to children.

ESCANABA - Local child care directors and coordinators say enrollment in daycare is noticeably down. One reason for this may be that more parents are turning to relatives and friends for care to help save on daycare costs.

In 32 years, Linda Smith has had little trouble filling open slots at her day care on St. Paul's East Side.