Kids Count on Us
@kcoumn.bsky.social
We are a coalition of MN community-based childcare providers, teachers & parents who believe that all children deserve high-quality care & workers deserve thriving wages and benefits. We're organizing together to transform how we do childcare.
🌟 Our leaders are leading in this moment like true rockstars 🌟
If you want to understand how childcare in MN works, and how it affects all of us, listen to childcare providers. It's not hard, and Channon is a great explainer!
If you want to understand how childcare in MN works, and how it affects all of us, listen to childcare providers. It's not hard, and Channon is a great explainer!
February 13, 2026 at 5:06 PM
🌟 Our leaders are leading in this moment like true rockstars 🌟
If you want to understand how childcare in MN works, and how it affects all of us, listen to childcare providers. It's not hard, and Channon is a great explainer!
If you want to understand how childcare in MN works, and how it affects all of us, listen to childcare providers. It's not hard, and Channon is a great explainer!
Anyone else see a trend here? Some elected officials will tell you that this is exactly what they want- parents at home. They seem to miss the part where many parents need to work multiple jobs to even make ends meet (because we don't pay people living wages). Do the math. #FundChildCare
February 12, 2026 at 7:26 PM
Anyone else see a trend here? Some elected officials will tell you that this is exactly what they want- parents at home. They seem to miss the part where many parents need to work multiple jobs to even make ends meet (because we don't pay people living wages). Do the math. #FundChildCare
📚 MN lawmakers need to hear how federal attacks are hurting our kids & childcare programs.
🏛️ So we’re bringing storytime to the State Capitol. Join parents & providers calling on #mnleg to defend childcare!
📅 Feb 18 • 2 PM • Centennial Office Building
🔗 bit.ly/childcare_storytime
🏛️ So we’re bringing storytime to the State Capitol. Join parents & providers calling on #mnleg to defend childcare!
📅 Feb 18 • 2 PM • Centennial Office Building
🔗 bit.ly/childcare_storytime
February 11, 2026 at 11:49 PM
📚 MN lawmakers need to hear how federal attacks are hurting our kids & childcare programs.
🏛️ So we’re bringing storytime to the State Capitol. Join parents & providers calling on #mnleg to defend childcare!
📅 Feb 18 • 2 PM • Centennial Office Building
🔗 bit.ly/childcare_storytime
🏛️ So we’re bringing storytime to the State Capitol. Join parents & providers calling on #mnleg to defend childcare!
📅 Feb 18 • 2 PM • Centennial Office Building
🔗 bit.ly/childcare_storytime
For the 1,000th time, LISTEN to childcare providers. They know this stuff inside and out. Read Courtney's column.
February 11, 2026 at 6:24 PM
For the 1,000th time, LISTEN to childcare providers. They know this stuff inside and out. Read Courtney's column.
Remember a month ago when we held a press conference about ICE at childcare programs? Yeah, it's still happening, regularly. The only difference between then and now is that most programs now have community and parent patrols. Yep, you read that right.
#FundChildCareNotIce
#FundChildCareNotIce
February 10, 2026 at 10:30 PM
Remember a month ago when we held a press conference about ICE at childcare programs? Yeah, it's still happening, regularly. The only difference between then and now is that most programs now have community and parent patrols. Yep, you read that right.
#FundChildCareNotIce
#FundChildCareNotIce
Powerful testimony from St. Paul childcare provider Maria Snider (in dark pink) about why we need a stronger separation ordinance to protect childcare centers...
"Will today be the day that ICE kidnaps a child from my center?"
"Will today be the day that ICE kidnaps a child from my center?"
February 9, 2026 at 4:25 PM
Powerful testimony from St. Paul childcare provider Maria Snider (in dark pink) about why we need a stronger separation ordinance to protect childcare centers...
"Will today be the day that ICE kidnaps a child from my center?"
"Will today be the day that ICE kidnaps a child from my center?"
A must read:
Twin Cities child care centers on edge, parent patrols watch for ICE www.twincities.com/2026/02/06/t...
Twin Cities child care centers on edge, parent patrols watch for ICE www.twincities.com/2026/02/06/t...
Twin Cities child care centers on edge, parent patrols watch for ICE
As the operation draws into its second month, some child care providers wonder how long they’ll have to keep doors locked or run practice safety drills showing kids where to hide from federal agent…
www.twincities.com
February 9, 2026 at 12:30 AM
A must read:
Twin Cities child care centers on edge, parent patrols watch for ICE www.twincities.com/2026/02/06/t...
Twin Cities child care centers on edge, parent patrols watch for ICE www.twincities.com/2026/02/06/t...
Just circling back, in case anyone needed clarity...
February 8, 2026 at 8:26 PM
Just circling back, in case anyone needed clarity...
Continuing our efforts to help you all visualize WHY childcare is vital to our communities and needs to be treated as the public good that it is. Whole communities come to a halt without it. #FundChildCare
February 6, 2026 at 6:12 PM
Continuing our efforts to help you all visualize WHY childcare is vital to our communities and needs to be treated as the public good that it is. Whole communities come to a halt without it. #FundChildCare
Really proud to work with such phenomenal childcare providers. Really heartbroken that this is their reality.
Minnesota child care providers try to make ends meet as immigrant families keep kids home minnesotareformer.com/2026/02/06/m...
Minnesota child care providers try to make ends meet as immigrant families keep kids home minnesotareformer.com/2026/02/06/m...
Minnesota child care providers try to make ends meet as immigrant families keep kids home • Minnesota Reformer
Two weeks into January, the director of a St. Paul child care center called a family to ask why their daughter had been absent on-and-off since late last year. “We reached out to just see, ‘Hey, what...
minnesotareformer.com
February 6, 2026 at 4:47 PM
Really proud to work with such phenomenal childcare providers. Really heartbroken that this is their reality.
Minnesota child care providers try to make ends meet as immigrant families keep kids home minnesotareformer.com/2026/02/06/m...
Minnesota child care providers try to make ends meet as immigrant families keep kids home minnesotareformer.com/2026/02/06/m...
Childcare providers in St. Paul are showing up to urge the City Council to make their separation ordinance super strong so children are protected. In this photo they look really happy. That was just elation that the meeting that went for 4 ish hours was finally over. @CelesteAmaraFinn speaking...
February 6, 2026 at 12:46 AM
Childcare providers in St. Paul are showing up to urge the City Council to make their separation ordinance super strong so children are protected. In this photo they look really happy. That was just elation that the meeting that went for 4 ish hours was finally over. @CelesteAmaraFinn speaking...
In the midst of true chaos across Minnesota, we are organizing! So excited for this room full of teachers and parents who are new to us sharing their powerful stories. The whole room was fired up to organize around free childcare for all!
February 5, 2026 at 12:42 AM
In the midst of true chaos across Minnesota, we are organizing! So excited for this room full of teachers and parents who are new to us sharing their powerful stories. The whole room was fired up to organize around free childcare for all!
We’re going to caucus for childcare! Are you?!! Drop your pics below!
February 4, 2026 at 12:43 AM
We’re going to caucus for childcare! Are you?!! Drop your pics below!
Read Ena's letter. She encapsulates all of this perfectly.
https://www.winonapost.com/opinion/an-orchestrated-hit-on-mn-child-care/article_d1dfa0af-33c0-44e1-9ac8-ac0e2f9ca0b6.html
https://www.winonapost.com/opinion/an-orchestrated-hit-on-mn-child-care/article_d1dfa0af-33c0-44e1-9ac8-ac0e2f9ca0b6.html
An orchestrated hit on MN child care
From: Ena Moats
www.winonapost.com
February 2, 2026 at 10:36 PM
Read Ena's letter. She encapsulates all of this perfectly.
https://www.winonapost.com/opinion/an-orchestrated-hit-on-mn-child-care/article_d1dfa0af-33c0-44e1-9ac8-ac0e2f9ca0b6.html
https://www.winonapost.com/opinion/an-orchestrated-hit-on-mn-child-care/article_d1dfa0af-33c0-44e1-9ac8-ac0e2f9ca0b6.html
“I can’t have peace of mind about whether the center will be safe today,” said the provider, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of being targeted. “That’s a hard pill to swallow.”
https://apnews.com/article/somali-child-care-fraud-allegations-minneapolis-ce6d12d86a510063827f716e4324e922
https://apnews.com/article/somali-child-care-fraud-allegations-minneapolis-ce6d12d86a510063827f716e4324e922
Right-wing influencers target Somali child care centers after viral Minneapolis video
A video alleging fraud in Somali-run child care centers in Minneapolis has drawn attention throughout the United States. In Ohio, Gov.
apnews.com
February 2, 2026 at 4:22 PM
“I can’t have peace of mind about whether the center will be safe today,” said the provider, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of being targeted. “That’s a hard pill to swallow.”
https://apnews.com/article/somali-child-care-fraud-allegations-minneapolis-ce6d12d86a510063827f716e4324e922
https://apnews.com/article/somali-child-care-fraud-allegations-minneapolis-ce6d12d86a510063827f716e4324e922
Powerful testimony today from Angie Clair about the devastating impacts of *all of this* on children and those who care for them. The trauma this is inflicting is profound.
#mnleg #childcare
#mnleg #childcare
January 30, 2026 at 4:45 AM
Powerful testimony today from Angie Clair about the devastating impacts of *all of this* on children and those who care for them. The trauma this is inflicting is profound.
#mnleg #childcare
#mnleg #childcare
📣 A powerful letter from a Duluth childcare provider. We made it easy for you to read it all.
TL;DR: This is awful and really hurting our kids. It needs to stop.
TL;DR: This is awful and really hurting our kids. It needs to stop.
January 29, 2026 at 11:01 PM
📣 A powerful letter from a Duluth childcare provider. We made it easy for you to read it all.
TL;DR: This is awful and really hurting our kids. It needs to stop.
TL;DR: This is awful and really hurting our kids. It needs to stop.
So grateful for MN senators and representatives meeting with childcare providers to understand the impacts of a federal childcare funding freeze because those impacts are devastating. #FundChildCare
January 29, 2026 at 6:39 PM
So grateful for MN senators and representatives meeting with childcare providers to understand the impacts of a federal childcare funding freeze because those impacts are devastating. #FundChildCare
"Nightmare winter" is a bit of an understatement actually. Providing childcare is already hard. Worrying about keeping your staff and families safe from abduction is a whole new level.
https://www.minnpost.com/state-government/2026/01/inside-the-nightmare-winter-for-minnesota-child-care-providers/
https://www.minnpost.com/state-government/2026/01/inside-the-nightmare-winter-for-minnesota-child-care-providers/
Inside the nightmare winter for Minnesota child care providers
There is uncertainty around half-a-billion dollars in federal funding, not to mention state scrutiny and frightening threats.
www.minnpost.com
January 28, 2026 at 12:48 AM
"Nightmare winter" is a bit of an understatement actually. Providing childcare is already hard. Worrying about keeping your staff and families safe from abduction is a whole new level.
https://www.minnpost.com/state-government/2026/01/inside-the-nightmare-winter-for-minnesota-child-care-providers/
https://www.minnpost.com/state-government/2026/01/inside-the-nightmare-winter-for-minnesota-child-care-providers/
Shoutout to Kids Count on Us leaders Darla Pappas for hosting these important visits! We can't fund childcare unless our elected officials understand why we need to fully fund childcare!
https://www.pinejournal.com/business/lawmakers-visit-northland-child-care-centers-to-discuss-federal-cuts
https://www.pinejournal.com/business/lawmakers-visit-northland-child-care-centers-to-discuss-federal-cuts
Lawmakers visit Northland child care centers to discuss federal cuts
Senators Erin Murphy and Grant Hauschild toured Li'l Lumberjacks in Cloquet, where providers shared the potential impact of lost CCAP funds on an already struggling industry.
www.pinejournal.com
January 27, 2026 at 4:08 PM
Shoutout to Kids Count on Us leaders Darla Pappas for hosting these important visits! We can't fund childcare unless our elected officials understand why we need to fully fund childcare!
https://www.pinejournal.com/business/lawmakers-visit-northland-child-care-centers-to-discuss-federal-cuts
https://www.pinejournal.com/business/lawmakers-visit-northland-child-care-centers-to-discuss-federal-cuts
We've been spending A LOT of time connecting the news media to childcare providers and parents...finally carving out some time to SHARE those stories, because they are really, really important.
https://www.fastcompany.com/91479506/how-childcare-workers-in-minnesota-are-protesting-ice
https://www.fastcompany.com/91479506/how-childcare-workers-in-minnesota-are-protesting-ice
January 27, 2026 at 12:10 AM
We've been spending A LOT of time connecting the news media to childcare providers and parents...finally carving out some time to SHARE those stories, because they are really, really important.
https://www.fastcompany.com/91479506/how-childcare-workers-in-minnesota-are-protesting-ice
https://www.fastcompany.com/91479506/how-childcare-workers-in-minnesota-are-protesting-ice
Correction! Parent meeting is at 1:00 pm today, not noon. Sorry....https://secure.ngpvan.com/WIzmATQcM0enw8TV_QzrPw2
Childcare Under Attack: Parents Must Act Now
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secure.ngpvan.com
January 26, 2026 at 6:12 PM
Correction! Parent meeting is at 1:00 pm today, not noon. Sorry....https://secure.ngpvan.com/WIzmATQcM0enw8TV_QzrPw2
Hey Parents! Feeling helpless at the moment? Let’s build some power together. Join us on Zoom at noon. https://secure.ngpvan.com/WIzmATQcM0enw8TV_QzrPw2
Childcare Under Attack: Parents Must Act Now
No description found
secure.ngpvan.com
January 26, 2026 at 2:45 PM
Hey Parents! Feeling helpless at the moment? Let’s build some power together. Join us on Zoom at noon. https://secure.ngpvan.com/WIzmATQcM0enw8TV_QzrPw2
The WHY behind why childcare centers are closing across Minnesota tomorrow...
January 23, 2026 at 4:54 AM
The WHY behind why childcare centers are closing across Minnesota tomorrow...
Childcare centers across the state are taking action to make it clear that a federal funding freeze will collapse our childcare system! #FundChildCareNotICE
January 21, 2026 at 8:28 PM
Childcare centers across the state are taking action to make it clear that a federal funding freeze will collapse our childcare system! #FundChildCareNotICE