ST. PAUL — Gov. Mark Dayton called it “a great day for Minnesota’s children.”

Minnesota is among nine states that won a collective $500 million Friday from the federal government to help make pre-K and other early learning programs more accessible.

Minnesota applied for — and will receive — $45 million. Of that amount, $20 million is targeted to high-poverty areas in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Itasca County and on the White Earth Reservation. The rest is designated for oversight and accountability measures, including a new statewide ratings system to help parents shop for quality child-care providers.

State Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius said helping children at an early age can help narrow the racial achievement gap.

In a statement, Education Minnesota President Tom Dooher says the teachers union is pleased Minnesota’s plan strengthens the provider rating system.