Child care providers and foster parents
Basic Education for Safe Travel (B.E.S.T.) Program
In Minnesota, all licensed child care and foster care providers must complete a child passenger safety training program to transport children under age 9. The state-approved program is called Basic Education for Safe Travel (B.E.S.T.).
If you previously completed the C.A.R.S. (Child and Restraint Systems) training and you're still within the five-year certification period, you do not need to take the B.E.S.T. Program until your current certification period expires. B.E.S.T. is a continuation of the same required car seat safety training program, but it is updated with a new format.
B.E.S.T. follows a hybrid format with two steps:
- An online course that covers essential car seat safety.
- An in-person, hands-on skills evaluation to practice proper car seat installation and child harnessing techniques.
Providers must complete the program every five years to ensure they meet state requirements.
The Minnesota Safety Council provides further information about the B.E.S.T. Program, along with additional child passenger safety resources.