Montana's Treasures logo. An outline of Montana with Montana's Treasures inside and the acronym MTT.

Montana's Treasures (MTT)

 

Montana's Quality Recognition System (QRS), is currently in a Redesign phase and is not currently accepting new applications. The new QRS, Montana's Treasures (MTT), is projected to launch October 1, 2026. 

 

Mission and Vision

Mission: To improve early care and education experiences for children and families while strengthening Montana’s workforce using a Quality Recognition System which develops programs and practitioner skills through continuous improvement strategies and assists families to make informed decisions. 

Vision: Every child has access to reliable, safe, and enriching early care and education services which supports a stable workforce, economic growth, and strong Montanan families and communities. 

 

Providers and Programs
Offer quality child care

 

What is QRS?

The Quality Recognition System is a continuous quality improvement program for early childhood education in Montana.

Quality Recognition System Redesign Goals 

  • Increase consumer education for families to inform decisions about quality child care.
  • Rebrand the quality system.
  • Encourage greater provider participation in Best Beginning Child Care Scholarship program.
  • Create an initial step for all licensed or registered providers, a foundation of child care
  • Use data to inform decisions.
  • Increase access to quality infant/toddler and after-school care.
  • Reflect broader distribution of quality funds.
  • Create a user-friendly, quality system offering choice and flexibility.

Guiding Principles

  • High quality child care is fundamental to the economic security of families and is central to Montana’s economic success.
  • A whole child approach to education is essential to meeting the holistic and individual needs of each child and family.
  • High quality child care that meets families’ needs should be accessible for all families.
  • Research indicates that high quality care for young children directly influences the productivity of both the current and future workforce, benefits the well-being of families, and positively impacts all members of the community.
  • An early childhood program cannot be considered high quality without equity of access, experience, and opportunity, resulting in equitable outcomes for all children and families.
  • Early care and education professionals are diverse, effective educators, and leaders who deserve a recognition system that supports their excellence.