Starting in Child Care
Are you interested in starting your own child care business? We are here to help! HRDC 7 offers several tools to ensure your early learning facility succeeds. Here are some helpful resources to get your started: Child Care’s Provider Services Department provides help and support for: Licensed and new child care centers, family & group…
New Provider Support
New Provider Specialists can help your business in many different ways. From registering for early childhood learning trainings to implementing safety procedures, we’ll be there to help you every step of the way. Available Services to New Providers Program Management Essentials and Early Childhood Essentials Assistance with selecting classes Technical assistance for policies, procedures, contracts…
STARS
STARS to Quality is currently in a Redesign phase and is not currently accepting new applications. The rebuilt Quality Recognition System (QRS) has a projected launch date of October 1, 2025. Quality resources can still be accessed through the DPHHS website. STARS Trainings continue to be free and accessible. The Best Beginnings STARS to Quality…
CACFP
In an effort to reduce the costs of child care while ensuring children receive healthy and nutritious meals, eligible child care providers are given cash reimbursement for serving meals to enrolled participants that meet Federal nutritional guidelines, outlined in the CACFP meal pattern. HRDC administers the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) for the Montana…
Professional Development
How to find additional trainings: New DIRECTOR Orientation Flowchart New Teacher Orientation Flowchart There are a number of statewide training opportunities for Early Childhood Providers. HRDC’s CC Training: Click here to find classes, orientation requirements, First/AID/CPR and more. Childcaretraining.org offers online training opportunities. Visit their catalog here for your professional development needs. Trainings can be…
Family Engagement
The Family Engagement Coordinator can help families become their child’s best first teacher with resources and tools that engage their child’s development. They work one-on-one with families to help find resources needed to better support their children outside of child care. General Referrals are also available with this service. For more information, contact the child…
Child Care Referral Program
Our Referral Specialist helps you find quality child care that best fits your needs. Whether your hours of needed care are limited or you are looking for specific environments, we connect families to licensed or registered child care providers to provide a quality experience for everyone. We provide referrals for families in Big Horn, Carbon,…
Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship
Montana families are paying just over $9,000 a year to have an infant attend a full time care center. For low-income, working single parents this could mean nearly half their income is spent on child care. HRDC offers the State of Montana’s Best Beginnings scholarship for Big Horn, Carbon, Carter, Custer, Fallon, Golden Valley, Musselshell,…