Early Childhood News

Starting Jan. 12, 2026, HHS will begin offering incentives for completing specific ND Workforce Registry-approved trainings. 

Your feedback will help make the rules clearer, less complicated and better aligned with the needs of providers while keeping children safe and healthy. We want to hear about your challenges and ideas for improvement.

You make a big difference in children’s lives. Now, make a big difference in yours, with the benefits, incentives and recognition you need for a rewarding child care career.

North Dakota Health and Human Services will be making updates to the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) in response to the rapid growth in program participants. To ensure the longevity of the program’s ability to effectively help working parents and child care providers, adjustments have been made to the benefits for families and bonuses for providers.

A recent change in federal interpretation affects how eligibility for employment is determined.

Early childhood professionals in North Dakota have new opportunities to build their skills and advance their careers through two statewide training initiatives now available on the ND Early Childhood Training Calendar.

Navigating training registration and workforce registry membership doesn’t have to be complicated. These quick tips highlight a few simple steps to make the process smoother and help you stay on track.

Get to know the partnership and engagement team members who help connect people, programs and possibilities across North Dakota. Their work strengthens early learning partnerships, supports families and ensures young children have the opportunities they need to thrive.

Bright & Early ND is dedicated to supporting high-quality early childhood programs across North Dakota. To strengthen this commitment, we’re conducting an Implementation Study to better understand your experiences, motivations, and challenges participating in Bright & Early ND.

Lt. Gov. Michelle Strinden, state legislators and representatives from North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) recently visited Best in Class early childhood programs to celebrate the initiative’s five-year milestone and see firsthand how high-quality early learning experiences are preparing children for kindergarten and beyond.