Early Childhood Provider Services
Contact Us to obtain referral registration, to enroll in our comprehensive database, to get information about training and support.
For Employers, click here to learn more about how CCR&R can help your company develop employee-responsive child care programs and resources.
Become a Child Care Provider
The first step in becoming a child-care provider is to determine which type of care setting you wish to provide:
- Child Care Center
A center serves 13 or more children, with a staff-to-child ratio based on the age of the children. State law requires child-care centers to be licensed by the Department’s Child Care Licensing Program. Before-school, drop-in, after-school, and preschool programs are not required to be licensed.
Licensing staff inspect centers twice a year. Health and fire officials visit once a year. The center director is required to be educated or experienced in early care and education. All caregivers who work 160 hours or more a year are required to attend eight hours of annual training. Center directors are required to attend 15 hours of annual training. Directors and caregivers are also required to have certification in CPR and first aid.
- Group Home
Two adults provide care for 7-12 children, with a limit of six under the age of 2. Group homes must be registered with the Child Care Licensing Program. The providers must complete a self-assessment checklist of health, safety, and child-care program regulations. They also must attend a child-care orientation session within 60 days of registration. - Family Home
Care is offered in a homelike setting, usually the caregiver’s residence. In a family home, a caregiver cares for up to six children at a time, with no more than three under the age of 2. Family child-care homes must be registered with the Child Care Licensing Program.
- Legally Certified Provider
In this more informal type of care, a parent or legal guardian selects an individual—often a family member, friend, or neighbor—to care for all the children in one family or up to two unrelated children. Legally certified caregivers must pass criminal and Child Protective Services background checks but are not otherwise regulated or monitored by the State of Montana Download and application now
CACFP Food Program
Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) works with registered and licensed childcare providers who receive monthly reimbursement for serving nutritious meals and snacks which meet the guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
CACFP plays a vital role in improving the quality of day care for children and elderly adults by making care more affordable for many low-income families. Through CACFP, 2.9 million children and 86,000 adults receive nutritious meals and snacks each day as part of their day care.
Learn more by clicking here: CACFP Information
Civil Rights Compliance and Enforcements
Provider Training
HRDC provides training oppotunities throughout the year to assist providers in meeting required training hours. Trainers offer trainings including: Pre-license training, on-site training, childcare workshops, and quarterly newsletter.
The state training calendar is available for Early Childhood Providers who wish to learn more about approved trainings available in our area, click here to view a current list of approved trainings.
For more information on the Early Childhood Career Development Practitioner Registry, Click here
Additional Training Opportunities
Online training website with courses approved through the Early Childhood Project. Training can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Website for providers pursuing professional development goals;administers the child care referral program, Legally Certified Providers (LCP) and Legally Certified In-Home (LCI) provider programs.
Mini Grant Program HRDC is now offering "Best Beginning Mini Grants" through funding from DPHHS Early Childhood Services Bureau. They're quick, they're easy and you can apply at anytime during the year. Two different mini grants are available, please look at both cover letters to make certain you are applying for the correct mini grant. You may apply for both if you meet the qualification requirements. Only one grant per provider will be awarded during the Federal fiscal year which runs from October 1st through September 30th.
"Best Beginning Mini Grant Cover Letter" click here
Resource Library
The Child Care Provider Resource Library is available to providers to utilize as you build your monthly cirriculum. The resource library offers books, games, special activitiy sets, parachutes, puppets, felt boards and many other items for use in your child care enviroment. The items can be checked out Monday thru Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. Providers can check items out for up to 30 days. Provider Rental Agreement must be filled out prior to lending from the lending library.
