The Best Beginnings Scholarship is updating to align with the policies in House Bill 648. New Policies Effective 7/1/2023: Eligibility, Sliding Fee Scale & Monthly Copayment: Income eligibility increased from 150% of the Federal Poverty Level to 185% Monthly copayments are limited to a maximum of 9% of family monthly income based on household size. Child Care Program...
CPR / First Aid Requirements for Child Care Licensing: Just a friendly reminder – when renewing your CPR/FA certification, you must complete a hands-on CPR component and your card must state “Pediatric First Aide” to be in compliance with Montana Child Care Licensing regulation and rule....
We are excited to share the Child Care Licensing Assessment with you! The Early Childhood Services Bureau (ECSB) is conducting a child care licensing improvement project to optimize licensing’s regulations, policies, processes, and data reporting. Thank you to everyone who participated in the assessment process! More than 700 child care owners and staff, parents, employers, partners, and...
As we approach Provider Appreciation Day® on May 6, 2022, Childcare Aware of America is highlighting how communities are honoring the contributions of their child care providers. An article written by Deb Huestis, an early childhood development specialist from Family Connections, was recently published on Childcare Aware of America's national blog on April 04, 2022,...
The Montana Office of Public Instruction is pleased to announce the Montana Afterschool Grant. The $3.8 million fund was designated by the Montana Legislature through House Bill 362. Leveraging the State's Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funding, the Afterschool Grant is intended fulfill the afterschool plans articulated in the State’s ARP ESSER Plan to enhance and expand...
Licensed and Registered child care providers are eligible to apply for funding to stabilize their child care business. This includes support to maintain or resume offering child care services. Funds can be used for operating expenses like personnel costs, rent and utilities, health and safety training, facility maintenance, equipment and more. Providers could receive 80 - 100% of their operating expenses. Applications...
Interested in a free and private parenting coach to help you navigate parenting challenges? As Montana parents, we want the same things for our kids. We want them to be confident, respectful, and make healthy choices. As our kids grow up, there are always new challenges. Figuring out how to handle them doesn’t come easy. There are...
One of the major issues facing child care and education is the shortage of quality staff and the high rate of staff turnover. The Montana Early Care and Education Job Board is a central place where program owners can post job openings and staff can find employment opportunities. Currently, providers post their job openings on...
"What if I was to tell you that a game of peek-a-boo could change the world?" asks seven-year-old Molly Wright, one of the youngest-ever TED speakers. Breaking down the research-backed ways parents and caregivers can support children's healthy brain development, Wright highlights the benefits of play on lifelong learning, behavior and well-being, sharing effective strategies to...
April 29, 2021 by Heather McCartney-Duty Writer Elizabeth Gilbert reflected, “Grief is a force of energy that cannot be controlled or predicted. It comes and goes on its own schedule. Grief does not obey your plans or wishes…In that way, Grief has a lot in common with Love.” We are entering our first year of recovery in a...
