Family, Friend, and Neighbor caregivers provide care for children of family members, friends, or neighbors outside of a formal licensed child care setting. This may include grandparents, relatives, friends, neighbors, or other trusted caregivers who care for children on a regular basis.
Pine Technical & Community College supports Family, Friend, and Neighbor caregivers in Cass, Crow Wing, Morrison, Pine, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Isanti, and Chisago counties through free resources, learning kits, training opportunities, and connections to early childhood supports.
Family, Friend, and Neighbor care, often called FFN care, is child care provided by someone the family already knows and trusts. FFN caregivers are an important part of Minnesota’s child care system and help children, families, and communities thrive.
FFN caregivers may care for children during the day, before or after school, during evenings or weekends, or while parents and guardians work non-traditional hours.
Who Can Participate?
You may be eligible for Family, Friend, and Neighbor support if you:
Care for a child who is not your own
Provide care on a regular basis but are NOT a Licensed Child Care Provider
Care for children ages birth through age 5
Live in or provide care in Cass, Crow Wing, Morrison, Pine, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Isanti, or Chisago county
There are no income requirements to participate.
What Support is Available?
Eligible FFN caregivers may receive:
Monthly learning kits with books, activities, and materials for children
Free training opportunities
Health and safety information
Early learning and school readiness resources
Social-emotional learning activities
Connections to local resources and programs
Support with Child Care Assistance Program or Legal Non-licensed provider information, if desired
Monthly Learning Kits
Monthly Learning Kits are designed to make it easier for caregivers to support children’s learning through everyday play. Kits may include children’s books, hands-on activities, caregiver tips, safety information, nutrition ideas, and community resources.
Each kit is created to support early learning, social-emotional development, health and safety, and kindergarten readiness.
