Daycare Cost in Ramsey County, MN

Childcare in Ramsey County, MN

Ramsey County, home to St. Paul, has a population of 550,000 and is the most diverse county in Minnesota, with significant Hmong, Somali, Karen (Burmese), and Latino communities alongside its historically White and Black populations. Major employers include 3M headquarters, the State of Minnesota, HealthPartners, and the Ramsey County government. Infant care averages around $17,888 per year, high for the Midwest and reflecting the Twin Cities metro's tight childcare market. St. Paul's immigrant communities have created distinctive demand for culturally and linguistically responsive childcare, and the county has responded with some of the most innovative multicultural early childhood programs in the Midwest.

Finding Care

St. Paul's Midway, Highland Park, and Mac-Groveland neighborhoods have the strongest childcare center density. The East Side and the North End, which are among the most diverse areas, have growing networks of culturally specific family childcare providers, particularly Hmong and Somali home-based programs. The suburban communities of Maplewood, Roseville, and Shoreview have solid center-based options. Minnesota's Parent Aware quality rating system is well-utilized in Ramsey County, and the county has invested in increasing rated capacity in underserved communities.

Local Resources

Think Small serves as the primary CCR&R for Ramsey County, offering referrals, quality support, and family navigation services. Ramsey County's Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) provides subsidies, and the county has additional locally funded support through the Ramsey County Children's Mental Health Collaborative. Head Start and Early Head Start programs in Ramsey County are operated by the St. Paul Public Schools, Community Action of Ramsey & Washington Counties, and several culturally specific agencies serving Hmong, Somali, and East African families.