Early Childhood

Some Minnesota child cares closed Monday to call for more state funding
Hundreds of providers, teachers and families were expected to take part in a “Day Without Childcare” to underscore the need for more funding, affordability and accessibility for kids and parents, as well as living wages for staff.
As the Texas outbreak grows, how contagious is measles, really?
Vaccination eliminated measles from the U.S. 25 years ago. But it can still spread in pockets where vaccination rates are low, like the west Texas county with a current outbreak. Here’s how fast.
As measles cases rise, a new book warns parents not to underestimate the disease
As childhood vaccination rates drop in the U.S., outbreaks of measles are rising. In his new book, Booster Shots, Dr. Adam Ratner makes the case that this is a bad sign for public health.
Child care options start to rebound as Minnesotans return to the office
The state’s child care centers have long struggled with staffing and funding shortages that worsened in the COVID-19 pandemic. Five years later, though, operators see reasons to be optimistic as big companies call back workers, creating more need for child care. 
In Duluth, free water safety classes pay off for preschoolers and parents
Water is important to Minnesota’s identity, but for some in the land of 10,000 lakes it can bring more dread than joy. An effort in the Duluth Public Schools to teach preschoolers to swim is helping ease water fears and even coaxing some parents into the pool.
More Minnesota kids get exempted from required vaccinations. Here’s what’s happening
Nonmedical exemptions for required childhood vaccinations have risen steadily since 2020. Medical professionals say exemption counts are near the point where Minnesotans should be extremely concerned, especially when it comes to schools.
For kids with rare genetic disorders, customized CRISPR treatments offer hope
The gene-editing technique is effective for treating some illnesses but it’s been too expensive to consider it for rare conditions. A new approach in the works could make it more widely available.
Childhood vaccination rates in Minnesota: 4 questions, answered
Local pediatricians are worried about the state’s slide in vaccinations. They’re seeing skepticism rising among parents, and politicians sowing doubts. MPR News asked Dr. Andrea Singh, who leads the pediatrics department at Park Nicollet, about what pediatricians are seeing.
A Minnesota election for the ages? Yes, ages 4 through 10
Teachers in some schools around Minnesota held mock elections Monday as a way to teach students how the voting process works and have a little fun. At one Minneapolis elementary school, it made for some interesting conversation.