DCYF/Cost of Child Care Analysis

The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families is seeking a contractor to provide a cost of child care analysis. The selected contractor will conduct an analysis of the estimated cost of child care in Minnesota, taking into consideration the cost of higher-quality care. The contractor will prepare a report on the results of the analysis and provide recommendations for improving the approach to analyzing and reporting on cost data. The contract is expected to start on September 1, 2026, and end on June 30, 2028, with the possibility of extensions up to a total of five years. Some key aspects of the project include: • Conducting an analysis of the estimated cost of child care in Minnesota • Preparing a report on the results of the analysis • Providing recommendations for improving the approach to analyzing and reporting on cost data • Considering the cost of higher-quality care • Analyzing data on costs tied to providing child care services to families who are economically disadvantaged • Estimating costs experienced by Tribally-licensed or Tribally-operated child care programs • Providing expertise on how cost data can be used to inform maximum reimbursement rates for the Child Care Assistance Program