Skip to main content
888-291-9811
Families About Star Ratings

About Star Ratings

Learn more about what makes each Parent Aware Star Rating different.

Find programs that use research-based best practices to prepare children for school and life

When a program participates in Parent Aware, they volunteer for extra training and professional development to go above and beyond basic health and safety licensing requirements.

Participating programs can earn a One-, Two-, Three-, or Four-Star Rating. Parent Aware Ratings are based on demonstrated use of research-based practices. Each Rating level builds on the previous one, helping families easily identify which practices the program is using.

Parent Aware Ratings Chart. 4 Stars = excelling at use of kindergarten-readiness best practices. 1 star = some use of kindergarten-readiness best practices.

Star Definitions

One-Star Rating

These programs have demonstrated these best practices:

  • Uses consistent routines to support children
  • Talks with children and families to better understand interests and culture
  • Shares important community resources with families
  • Learns about each individual child by observing and taking notes
  • Commits to and maintains professional ethics in the early learning field

Two-Star Rating

These programs have demonstrated all One-Star practices, AND:

  • Evaluates learning activities, materials, classroom layout, and health-related practices to set goals for growth
  • Plans school-readiness activities for children
  • Guides families through their children’s transition to kindergarten
  • Shares information with families in ways that meet their unique needs
  • Plans for continued learning and professional growth

Three-Star Rating

These programs have demonstrated all One- and Two-Star practices, AND:

  • Uses a curriculum aligned with Minnesota’s early learning standards
  • Teaches in a way that is organized, challenging and warm
  • Helps children transition between activities and stay engaged
  • Uses approved tools to track children’s development
  • Commits to ongoing quality improvement by using some of these best practices:
    • Responds to unique cultural customs and needs of children and families
    • Offers activities that encourage family participation and help children transition to kindergarten
    • Gives families opportunities to provide feedback about the program
    • Shares child development updates with families to set goals together
    • Makes accommodations for children with special needs and their families
    • Has highly-qualified and trained leadership staff, teachers, and providers
    • Creates a program-wide professional development plan
    • Encourages healthy living through nutrition and physical activity, always evaluating to set goals for growth

Four-Star Rating

These programs have demonstrated all One-, Two-, and Three-Star practices, AND commits to ongoing quality improvement by using most of these best practices:

  • Responds to unique cultural customs and needs of children and families
  • Offers activities that encourage family participation and help children transition to kindergarten
  • Gives families opportunities to provide feedback about the program
  • Shares child development updates with families to set goals together
  • Makes accommodations for children with special needs and their families
  • Has highly-qualified and trained leadership staff, teachers, and providers
  • Creates a program-wide professional development plan
  • Encourages healthy living through nutrition and physical activity, always evaluating to set goals for growth