Quality Initiatives

The role of the Early Learning Quality Unit is to support high quality early childhood education through Quality Initiatives that empower Montana's child care programs and the early childhood workforce who are the foundation of a child’s success.

High-quality care starts with highly-skilled, supported, and confident professionals. Quality Initiatives help provide the expertise, resources, and support for dedicated child care programs and early childhood educators to consistently deliver the best possible care and education for Montana's children and families.

 

 The newly revised Montana Early Learning Standards (MELS) are NOW AVAILABLE for download!!

Tools for MT Early Learning Professionals and Educators

Montana Early Learning Standards (MELS): Building a Strong Foundation for Every Child 

NEW! The Montana Early Learning Standards (MELS) serve as a unified framework for early childhood education across our state, connecting developmental expectations from birth through age 8. The MELS helps ensure all children—no matter the setting—receive high-quality, consistent support and learning opportunities. 

Download a copy of Montana Early Learning Standards (MELS)

MELS FAQ and video guide coming soon

The Early Childhood Education Knowledge Base (KB) embraces developmentally appropriate practice as explained in Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs: Serving Children from Birth through Age 8 (NAEYC, 2009). While primarily focused on the competencies needed to effectively work with children birth to age 5, competencies often apply to teachers of children through age 8 and older.

Download a copy of the Early Childhood Education Knowledge Base 

Request a printed copy

NEW! The Early Childhood Career Workbook includes helpful tools to guide your journey in early childhood.  The Early Childhood Project along with partners mentioned throughout the document, created this workbook to help you explore career options, answer common questions and connect you with resources for growth. 

Download a copy of the Early Childhood Career Workbook

ECE Workforce Incentives

Registered Child Development Associate (CDA) Apprenticeship

The Early Childhood Services Bureau, in collaboration with Early Childhood Project and the MT Department of Labor & Industry are pleased to announce the development of a Childhood Development Associate Registered Apprenticeship Program. The competency-based program will be offered in a cohort over a period of one year. The program will offer a Registered Apprenticeship that is 144 hours in total of training. The trainings will fulfill the requirements of the Preschool or Family Group CDA Credential. 

MECAP Childcare Development Specialist

The Montana Early Childhood Apprenticeship Program (MECAP) aims to support and increase retention of early childhood education (ECE) providers through on-the-job training, mentorship, and college coursework. Upon completing the program, apprentices are awarded the Child Care Development Specialist Certificate from Montana’s Department of Labor and Industry and reach Level 4 on the Montana Practitioner Registry.

This award has been developed with the goal of improving the quality of early care and education for young children and families, by promoting early childhood education college coursework, college certificate, and degree attainment. PDIA—HE participants may receive $1000 for completion of a minimum of 6 early childhood credits or $400 for completion of 2-5 early childhood credits. Visit mtecp for more information or to apply. 

In order to qualify you must be current on the registry at membership level and achieve a GED or HISET. If you meet all of the requirements you may qualify for the $200 award. Visit mtecp for more information. 

Quality Recognition System (QRS)

Montana's Quality Recognition System (QRS) is currently in a Redesign phase and is not accepting new applications at this time. Quality resources are still accessible through the QRS website.

The QRS Bridge went into effect on October 1, 2025 for the 207 previously enrolled STARS participants and is in effect until the launch of the new QRS. 

The rebuilt QRS, Montana's Treasures (MTT) is projected to launch of October 1, 2026. More information coming soon!

Quality Supports and Technical Assistance

The Early Childhood Services Bureau contracts with Shine Early Learning to support SPARK Learning Lab Montana, a dedicated hub for Montana-specific technical assistance, coaching, peer connection, and resources.
The Early Childhood Services Bureau contracts with the Montana Early Childhood Project (ECP) to manage the state’s early childhood Career Development System. The ECP is dedicated to improving the quality of programs and services for Montana’s young children and their families. The ECP is located at Montana State University-Bozeman in the Department of Health and Human Development. The ECP collaborates with many organizations and associations in Montana to enhance its ability to assist families and promote helpful programs and services statewide. The Early Care & Education Career Development Office is located in the ECP. The Career Development Office manages the practitioner registry, training approval system, statewide training calendar and scholarship programs. The ECP, with help from a statewide advisory board, coordinates Early Care and Education Career Development for Montana. For more information, visit www.mtecp.org.
The Early Childhood Services Bureau contracts with Zero to Five to support Montana Child Care Business Connect (MCCBC) - Montana’s statewide hub for child care business development and innovation. MCCBC is dedicated to working with community partners, employers, child care business entrepreneurs, and business owners to build and stabilize programs to help meet the demand for child care across the state.
The Early Childhood Services Bureau contracts with Child Care Resources, a Child Care Resource and Referral agency,  to support ChildCareTraining.org [childcaretraining.org] (CCT) as the statewide child care training hub for Montana. CCT offers over 125 online courses, providing high-quality, accessible professional development statewide, available 24/7.  CCT offers all required licensing orientation training online at no cost. In addition, CCT features a statewide virtual and in-person training calendar, including CPR/First Aid options. CCT provides general training information and support for providers and also sponsors the Child and Adult Care Food Program.  For more information, visit www.childcaretraining.org [childcaretraining.org].