Early Childhood Units

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The Early Childhood Licensing unit monitors and supports all licensed and certified child care programs. In addition, this unit is the first point of contact for initial child care licensing and certification. The Early Childhood Licensing unit establishes policy and standards to regulate for the health, safety, and well-being of the children in the licensed and certified child care programs. The unit also administers and maintains a public-facing resource and referral system of child care providers.

This unit consists of a licensing administrator, 21 licensing specialists, four licensing supervisors, and a resource and referral specialist.

 

How can we help you?

The Licensing unit provides support to child care providers, helping you to ensure your new child care business complies with all health, safety, and local requirements.

Once you become licensed or self-declared, your business profile will be added to the public-facing resource and referral system, which provides free child care referrals for families searching for care.

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The Professional Development unit administers and maintains the Early Childhood Workforce Registry and a variety of grant opportunities for providers.

This unit consists of a professional development administrator, registry specialist, two provider technical assistant specialists, grant manager and two grant administrator assistants.

How can we help you?

The professional development unit assists providers in using the Early Childhood Workforce Registry, supports providers with professional development planning, and provides guidance on funding opportunities available through the Early Childhood Section.

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The Best in Class unit administers, monitors, and supports grantees receiving the ND Best in Class grant, which is a competitive grant award established in 2021 by the 67th Legislative Assembly to serve North Dakota children and families the year before they enter kindergarten.

Licensed child care center and group providers that are in good licensing standing and participating in Bright & Early ND with a current rating of Step 3 or 4 may apply for the Best in Class grant.

This unit consists of a Best in Class administrator and two Best in Class early childhood coaches.

 

How can we help you?

The Best in Class unit provides support to grantees through coaching and guidance for implementing developmentally appropriate environments, play-based curriculum, and authentic observation-based assessments to drive individualized experiences to support children in reaching widely held expectations in the year before kindergarten.

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The Quality unit administers, monitors, and supports the development of Bright & Early, North Dakota’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). A QRIS is a systematic approach to assess, improve, and communicate the level of quality in early childhood programs.

This unit consists of a quality administrator and QRIS validation specialist.

 

How can we help you?

All programs who hold a current license issued by HHS are automatically welcomed into Bright & Early ND as a Step 1 Quality Rated program. Bright & Early ND has made it a priority to offer support and resources that promote participation and advancement through the Bright & Early ND Steps to Quality through coaching, professional development and training, financial incentives, and a marketing toolkit.

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The Partnership & Engagement unit provides resources and support to parents, providers, and stakeholders. In addition, this unit oversees the Head Start Collaboration OfficeEarly Childhood Special Education services (Part B-619)Waterford UpstartFour-Year Old Program Approval.

This unit consists of a Partnership & Engagement administrator, Head Start collaboration administrator, and an early childhood special education (Part B 619) coordinator. This unit also works closely with Early Intervention (Part C), Economic Assistance, and the Home Visiting Program.

 

How can we help you?

The Partnership & Engagement unit provides support to child care providers by connecting programs to early intervention and inclusion services and in-home early learning resources.

Early Childhood Units
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Child Care Licensing System (CCL)

Access CCL to submit applications, renewals, and conduct other business-related activities.

 CCL Overview          Learn More

Child Care Assistance SSP

Access the Self-Service Portal (SSP) to certify enrollment, check payment status and more.

 SSP Overview          Login

Stay Connected

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Stay Connected

Contact a licensing specialist to:

  • Learn how to become a provider
  • Ask questions about your current license or self-declaration
  • Report a concern regarding a child care provider. You may also report concerns by calling 1-800-997-8516 or emailing dhsec@nd.gov.

Child Care Connections Newsletter

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Child Care Connections Newsletter

The Early Childhood section and Child Care Assistance Program have teamed up to create the quarterly Child Care Connections Newsletter. 

  • Receive the latest updates you need to know as a child care provider in North Dakota. 
  • Stay informed and empowered to find resources that will help you as you serve North Dakota children, families, and communities.
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Subscribe to Electronic Newsletter and Email Updates

Questions? Contact Us

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Questions? Contact Us

Early Childhood
North Dakota Health and Human Services
600 E. Boulevard Ave., Dept. 325
Bismarck, ND 58505-0250

Phone: (701) 328-2115
Toll-Free: (800) 997-8516
Relay ND TTY: 711
Email: dhsec@nd.gov