Twice a week, I join the ranks of legions of parents and grandparents who entrust the smallest members of their families to the care of others, people working in day care centers or in private homes who teach, protect, nurture, guide and comfort the children we love.

It’s hard to disagree that it’s a good thing to have children ready to learn when they start kindergarten. The question is how to get all children ready, when economic factors, types of child care and early childhood learning opportunities vary so greatly.

The McKnight Foundation announced a grant award of $3 million during three years to expand the Minnesota Early Childhood Initiative.

Sparta — When entrusting the care of your child to someone else, one craves some form of assurance that they are in good hands. Kiddie Academy® has long provided wary parents with a sterling reputation and unparalleled programs; and, the company can add Commission on International and Trans-regional Accreditation (CITA) - and being one of the first educational preschools in the country to receive it - to its already extensive list of accomplishments.

A 10-member task force will hold an organizational meeting Wednesday to begin discussing ways to increase child-care availability in Minot.

CANADA -- As his first official duty during Early Learning and Child Care Month, Education Minister Ken Krawetz today announced a $1.7 million commitment to fund a four per cent increase in wages for individuals working in licensed child care centres. The increase is expected to bring the average hourly wage for trained early childhood educators up from $13.90 per hour to $14.50 per hour.