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Montana Child Care Grants, Programs and Services

Whether you are looking to start a child care program in Montana or are a seasoned owner, there are many resources available to help fund your programs. Each state has a primary agency or organization responsible for subsidizing child care programs. They partner with local child care resource and referral (CCR&R) agencies and shared services organizations to raise awareness of grant opportunities and support the distribution of funding. They also provide additional programs and services to help you run your business. 

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Montana Child Care Grants, Programs and Services 

Primary State Agency (Child Care Development Fund)

This primary agency oversees early care and education programs and services in Montana, and is responsible for subsidizing child care programs through federal and state grants. Visit Montana Early Childhood Services.

Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R Agency)

Child Care Resource & Referral agencies (CCR&Rs) are another great resource for assisting child care providers with available grants and funding and other resources. Show Me Child Care Resources.

Shared Services Organizations and NAEYC Regional Affiliates

Montana Shared Services for child care providers will be included with child care business supports through Zero to Five Montana’s Child Care Business Connect program.

Zero to Five Montana is a statewide early childhood organization focused on increasing access to early care and education, supporting and strengthening families, uplifting voices, and empowering small businesses and communities.

Champions of Mixed Delivery Monthly Call

The Early Care and Education Consortium (ECEC) and National Child Care Association (NCCA) and are partnering to offer Champions of Mixed Delivery, a series of monthly check-in calls to share and receive updates about key proposals, coordinate messaging and talking points and share resources for advocacy. View dates and register for a call here.

Montana Child Care Licensing Requirements

Learn more about Montana early learning standards: Montana Licensing Requirements

Learn more about child care licensing requirements in Montana: Montana Office of Public Instruction

Montana Early Childhood Education Quality Ratings, Curriculum and Assessments

Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS) 

Child care providers earn a rating when they meet quality standards. Many states require these quality standards in order to receive grants and additional funding. Learn more at Best Beginnings STARS to Quality.

State-Aligned Curriculum

Procare Solutions is partnering with Learning Beyond Paper to provide curriculum to our customers. No state approval is required, but you can be confident knowing your curriculum aligns to your state standards by implementing Procare Early Learning Powered by Learning Beyond Paper. This 100% digital curriculum addresses the needs of child care centers, daycares, preschools and early learning teachers. The curriculum provides 52 weeks of lesson plans that include learning tailored to seasons.

Assessments

Simplify the assessment process and meet Montana state standards with a unique early childhood assessment framework that makes clarity a key strength of your child care center’s assessments and communications.

Average Cost of Child Care in Montana

Understanding the cost of child care in Montana is important for both parents and child care providers. 

Annual Child Care Costs in Montana
Infant care services in Montana cost an average of $11,700 a year.

Child Care Affordability in Montana

The median household spends more than 12% of their income to place a single child in center-based infant care.

View child care costs in other states.

Professional Development Training Requirements in Montana

In Montana, it is required that early childhood professionals complete 16 hours of professional development every calendar year. Training hours and continuing education units (CEUs) are documented in each person’s professional development record in the Montana Early Childhood Project registry. Be sure to create and manage your registry profile to track and document your training hours to comply with Montana state licensing requirements for ECE professionals. Visit the National Database of Child Care Regulations website or Montana.gov to find licensing regulations and requirements in your state. 

Bertelsen Education, a Procare Solutions Company provides IACET-accredited courses that meet state licensing requirements. Visit BertelsenEducation.com to purchase. 

Professional Development Resources

Professional development programs are designed to encourage, support and recognize early childhood professionals seeking to expand their skills to raise the quality of their programs. View a list of professional development resources for child care providers here.