EARLY CHILDHOOD
Welcome To Early Childhood
At this page you will get updates on how the YCB & partners are working to grow the early childhood field, find valuable resources and learn about ways to get involved. The literature on early childhood continues to grow and the research is undeniable. We thank you for your interested in early childhood!
Focus Area
The focus is to increase parents and other caregivers' access to information and resources so they can help their children be ready for school.
Goal
All Minneapolis children enter kindergarten ready to be successful in school.
Latest Early Childhood Activity & News
Our Early Childhood Director Featured In "Help Me Connect" Video
The Minnesota Department of Human Services promoted Help Me Connect and our Early Childhood Director, Deby, was a part of the promotional video. As stated in the video, Deby can help you find resources and services via Help Me Connect if finding things on your own becomes too difficult. Learn more about Help Me Connect by watching the video. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have additional questions.
- Learn about Help Me Connect in Spanish.
Who And What Is "Family, Friends, and Neighbor" Care?
Daycare is hard to find these days. If you're lucky enough to find day care, it's often unaffordable. So what are people doing? Many people these days are going back to family, friends, and neighbors when it comes to childcare. The State of Minnesota is helping families who are figuring things out themselves with their "Family, Friends, and Neighbors" (FFN) program. They are offering free resources and trainings. Who do you talk to about FFN? How do you get started? Below are a few videos that introduces you to FFN and their navigators. You can also always reach out to our Early Childhood Director — contact Deby Ziesmer at debra.ziesmer@minneapolismn.gov.
Who are FFN caregivers?
What's an FFN Navigator?
Caregiver stories
Find Child Care
Minnesota Department of Human Services offers a way to look up licensing information. CLICK HERE FOR LOOKUP PAGE.
United Way's 211. Calling is recommended at (651)-291-0211, but one can also search on THEIR WEBPAGE HERE.
Use the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)'s search tool. CLICK HERE for accredited Early Child Care Center search tool.
Getting A License To Be A Child Care Provider
Legally in Minnesota, you can watch the children of ONE other non-related family without needing to get licensed, nor are there training requirements. However, if you wanted to become a licensed family child care provider, you can learn more about the application process at HENNEPIN COUNTY'S SITE or call someone at 612-348-3883.
Please contact Deby if you have any questions or would like to collaborate on anything related to early childhood.
Deby Ziesmer | Early Childhood Director
Meet Deby Ziesmer our Early Childhood Director & Pritzker Fellow
Deby Ziesmer is committed to early childhood and eliminating disparities in early education by establishing strong connections with providers, colleagues, families, and the community. She holds an M.A. in Educational Leadership, Concordia University (2012), a B.S. in Early Childhood Studies (2005), and an A.S. in Business Management, Metropolitan State University. Deby was also named a Pritzker Fellow by the Pritzker Family Foundation, National Collaborative for Infants and Toddlers. She has served on many local and national boards and committees including the accreditation council for the National Association for the Education of Young Children where she has been a member for over 15 years. Deby’s career spanned over two decades at the YWCA working to eliminate racism and empower women and girls, which has molded her beliefs in equity, celebrating diversity, and developing partnerships. She is active on The Minnesota PN-3 Coalition, The Minnesota Vision Health Task Force, and the Little Moments Count Leadership Board. In her spare time you can find Deby enjoying a rousing game of Uno with her three grandchildren or exploring the many bike trails Minnesota has to offer.
