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The DPHHS website is being redesigned and will be moved to a new platform in July. 
Please be aware that some bookmarks to the DPHHS site may need to be updated after the move.
Thank you for your patience while we complete this move.

Early Childhood Services Bureau

Affordable ♦ Accessible ♦ Coordinated Systems

The Mission of the Early Childhood Services Bureau is to improve the quality, affordability and accessibility of early care and education in Montana, with focused efforts on coordinated systems to best meet the needs of young children, their families, and the professionals who work on behalf of young children and families.

Early Childhood Providers

Montana Early Childhood Advisory Council
Coming Soon! 
 
Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship Program
Helps families pay for child care
Best Beginnings Online Provider Portal
Update Provider Rights and Responsibilities, submit invoices online
User Guide for the Best Beginnings Online Provider Portal
Learn basic and advanced tips and tricks for the portal
Best Beginnings STARS to Quality
A quality rating improvement system to support early childhood education programs in continuous quality improvement
Child and Adult Care Food Program
Provides reimbursement to providers serving healthful meals and snacks to children and adults
Child Care and Development Fund
Increases the availability, affordability, and quality of early care and education services
Child Care Licensing
Establishes guidelines for the health, safety and well-being of children in child care
Child Care Provider Search
Find a licensed/registered child care provider
Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies
Provide quality professional development training and support to providers
Child Growth and Development
Learn about developmental screening resources in Montana
Documents and Resources
Documents, forms, reports, and information about additional services to support providers
Montana Early Childhood Project
Supports early childhood professional development
Montana Head Start Collaboration Office
Links Head Start Programs and communities through collaborative relationships
Other Programs and Services that Support Parents and Families in Montana>
Documents, forms, and additional information for providers and families
Recalls and Product Safety
United States Consumer Product Safety Commission
STARS Preschool
Increasing access to high quality preschool for 4 and 5 year old children in Montana
Workforce/Professional Development
Resources for providers that supports early childhood professional development

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Statewide Best Beginnings Reimbursement Rates

Temporary COVID Rates Effective August 1, 2020

Center

Infant/Toddler
Age 0 up to 3
Preschool Age
Age 3 up to 6
School Age
Age 6 and over

Half Day

Full Day

Half Day

Full Day

Half Day

Full Day

$20.00

$40.00

$17.50

$35.00

$17.50

$35.00

 

Group

Infant/Toddler
Age 0 up to 3
Preschool Age
Age 3 up to 6
School Age
Age 6 and over

Half Day

Full Day

Half Day

Full Day

Half Day

Full Day

$16.50

$33.00

$15.00

$30.00

$15.00

$30.00

 

Family

Infant/Toddler
Age 0 up to 3
Preschool Age
Age 3 up to 6
School Age
Age 6 and over

Half Day

Full Day

Half Day

Full Day

Half Day

Full Day

$15.00

$30.00

$14.00

$28.00

$14.00

$28.00

 

Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN)

Infant/Toddler
Age 0 up to 3
Preschool Age
Age 3 up to 6
School Age
Age 6 and over

Half Day

Full Day

Half Day

Full Day

Half Day

Full Day

$12.75

$25.50

$11.90

$23.80

$11.90

$23.80

 

Relative Care Exempt Provider (RCE)

Infant/Toddler
Age 0 up to 3
Preschool Age
Age 3 up to 6
School Age
Age 6 and over

Half Day

Full Day

Half Day

Full Day

Half Day

Full Day

$11.25

$22.50

$10.50

$21.00

$10.50

$21.00