How to Start a Daycare in Montana

Starting a daycare allows you to provide quality care and education to the children in your community. Before opening a daycare in Montana, you need to meet the Department of Public Health and Human Services childcare licensing requirements.

In this article, we’ll discuss the different types of childcare licenses in Montana, the requirements for licensing, and how to apply for a license and remain compliant.

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Do I need a childcare license in Montana?

The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services requires home-based and center-based childcare program providers to be properly licensed or registered with the Child Care Licensing (CCL) program.

There are four types of licensed or registered childcare programs in Montana:

• Family, friend, neighbor (FFN) providers: Family, friend, neighbor (FFN) providers provide care in their residence or a child’s home for a sibling group of any size or no more than four unrelated children. 

• Family homes: Family homes are registered facilities that operate in a provider’s residence and provide care to three to eight children on a regular basis.
• Group homes: Group homes are registered facilities that operate in a provider’s residence and provide care to nine to 15 children on a regular basis.

• Childcare centers: Childcare centers are licensed facilities outside of a provider’s home that provide care to 16 or more children on a regular or irregular basis.

A license is not required to care for sibling groups or up to two children from separate households who are related to the provider.

Childcare licensing requirements in Montana

Before starting a daycare center in Montana, your program must meet all licensing and training requirements to receive a license.

Family, friend, neighbor provider

A family, friend, neighbor (FFN) provider cares for a group of siblings or up to four unrelated children in their home or child's home. FFN providers must complete training, including health and safety training, FFN fundamentals training, and first aid and CPR certification before a childcare license is approved.

Provider requirements

• Be 18 years old or older
• Complete orientation approved by the department
• Be certified in infant choking response, pediatric first aid, and infant, child, and adult CPR
• Complete at least eight hours of approved annual training per year
• Complete a health and safety review course every three years

Ratio and group size requirements

The Department of Public Health and Human Services does not enforce staff-to-child ratios and group size requirements for FFN providers. An FFN provider may care for up to four unrelated children or a sibling group of any size. 

Physical space requirements

• Indoor and outdoor play areas must be clean, reasonably neat, and free of dirt, rubbish, or other health hazards
• If any part of an outdoor play area is adjacent to hazardous areas, it must be enclosed with a fence
• Outdoor play areas must always be visible and easily supervised by staff

Health and safety requirements

• Cleaning materials, flammable liquids, and other hazardous materials must be kept in their original containers, clearly labeled, and stored in an inaccessible location to children
• The FFN provider must ensure that no smoking occurs within the facility while children are being cared for
• Guns must be kept in locked storage. Ammunition must be kept in locked storage separate from the gun
• Children are prohibited from using trampolines. Trampolines on the facility premises must be inaccessible to children
• Any pet or animal that is present at the facility must be in good health, show no evidence of carrying disease, and be friendly to the children. The provider is responsible for maintaining the animal's vaccinations and vaccination records

Family and group homes

Family and group homes are registered childcare facilities that provide care in a private residence or other building. 

Director requirements

• Be at least 18 years old
• Complete facility overview training
• Be immunized with a Tdap vaccine and one dose of the MMR vaccine
• Sign a health attestation
• Meet background check requirements
• Complete a program management course within 60 days of becoming a director
• Be registered on the Montana Early Childhood Project (ECP) Practitioner Registry
• Be certified in infant choking response, pediatric first aid, and infant, child, and adult CPR
• Complete the required early childhood teacher orientation
• Complete sudden infant death syndrome, use of safe sleep practices, prevention of shaken baby syndrome, and abusive head trauma training

Family home capacity requirements

• There must be at least two caregivers caring for children at all times when there are more than eight children present at a family home
• No more than three children under the age of two can receive care in a family home unless the home exclusively cares for children under the age of two

Group home capacity requirements

• There must be at least two caregivers caring for children at all times when there are more than eight children present at a group home
• No more than six children under the age of two can receive care in a group home

Physical space requirements

• Indoor and outdoor play areas must be clean, reasonably neat, and free of dirt, rubbish, or other health hazards
• If any part of an outdoor play area is adjacent to hazardous areas, it must be enclosed with a fence
• Outdoor play areas must always be visible and easily supervised by staff
• Family and group homes must have a minimum of 35 square feet of indoor play and learning space per child, as well as 75 square feet of outdoor play space per child
• All rooms must be dry, well-ventilated, and well-lit

Health and safety requirements

• Family and group home staff must ensure that no smoking occurs within the facility while children are being cared for
• Cleaning materials, flammable liquids, and other hazardous materials must be kept in their original containers, clearly labeled, and stored in an inaccessible location to children
• Each level of the family or group home must have at least two emergency exits
• A fire extinguisher must be easily accessible on each floor level and be mounted near outside exit doors
• Smoke alarms must be installed in front of the doors to stairways, in corridors on each floor, and in all rooms where children sleep. Each alarm must be tested at least once a month and must be replaced every 10 years
• Children are prohibited from using trampolines. Trampolines on the facility premises must be inaccessible to children
• Telephone numbers of the children’s guardians, the hospital, the police department, the fire department, and the poison control center must be posted by each telephone

Childcare centers

The Department of Public Health and Human Services defines a childcare center as a licensed facility outside the home that provides care for 16 or more children.

Director requirements

• Be at least 18 years old
• Complete a background check
• Sign a health attestation
• Be immunized with a Tdap vaccine and one dose of the MMR vaccine
• Complete facility overview on-the-job training
• Be registered on the Montana Early Childhood Project (ECP) Practitioner Registry
• Be certified in infant choking response, pediatric first aid, and infant, child, and adult CPR
• Complete the required early childhood teacher orientation
• Have two years of experience in an early childhood program such as a licensed or registered child care facility or Head Start program, plus 32 hours of Early Childhood Project (ECP) training or level 2 or higher on the ECP Practitioner Registry

Ratio and group size requirements

Childcare centers must maintain the below staff-to-child ratios and group size requirements:

Physical space requirements

• A minimum of 35 square feet of usable floor space per child, not including food preparation areas, bathrooms, offices, staff rooms, corridors, hallways, closets, lockers, laundry areas, furnace rooms, cabinets, shelving, and other storage spaces
• Sleeping areas must provide sufficient spacing between the children when using sleep equipment
• If any part of an outdoor play area is adjacent to hazardous areas, it must be enclosed with a fence
• Outdoor play areas must always be visible and easily supervised by staff

Health and safety requirements

• Cleaning materials, flammable liquids, and other hazardous materials must be kept in their original containers, clearly labeled, and stored in an inaccessible location to children
• Telephone numbers of the children’s guardians, the hospital, the police department, the fire department, and the poison control center must be posted by each telephone
• High chairs must have a wide base and a safety strap
• Each child must have clean, sanitized, and age-appropriate rest equipment. Crib mattresses and other rest equipment must be regularly sanitized
• Children are prohibited from using trampolines. Trampolines on the facility premises must be inaccessible to children
• Each level of the childcare center must have at least two emergency exits

Childcare license application in Montana

Once you’ve determined your program type and met all licensing requirements, you can submit your application. Below are the steps to follow to obtain the proper childcare license for your program. 

FFN provider application

Before you can become a registered FFN provider, you must complete the following application process:

Step 1: Complete the required online health and safety course

Before submitting an application, you must complete the required online health and safety course.

Step 2: Complete the required health and background check forms

All residents over 18 must complete an FBI release of information form, FBI fingerprint background check, and a statement of health.

Step 3: Complete an application

Complete a registered FFN provider application.

Step 4: Complete the FFN Fundamentals course

Complete the required FFN Fundamentals course within 60 days of registration.

Family or group home application

To apply for a license for a family or group home, complete the following application process:

Step 1: Review Montana’s regulations for family and group homes

Review the State Regulations for Family and Group Childcare Homes.

Step 2: Complete the required background check forms

Complete an FBI release of information form and FBI fingerprint background check.

Step 3: Complete a licensing attestation form

Complete a Department of Public Health and Human Services licensing attestation form.

Step 4: Complete an application

Complete a Family or Group Child Care New Application. The owner of the family or group home needs to sign the application.

Step 5: Submit an insurance verification form

Complete an insurance verification form and have it signed by your insurance agency.

Step 6: Develop an emergency plan

Complete an emergency/disaster drill report and a written emergency plan for your family or group home.

Step 7: Complete the required additional documentation

You will need to submit additional documentation along with your application including: 

• A square footage report
• An activity schedule
• A menu 
• A new employee orientation checklist 
• Staff paperwork for all staff members

Childcare center application

To apply for a license for a childcare center, complete the following application process:

Step 1: Review Montana’s regulations for childcare centers

Review the Licensing Requirements for Childcare Centers.

Step 2: Complete the required background check forms

Complete an FBI release of information form and FBI fingerprint background check.

Step 3: Complete an application

Complete a Child Care Center New Application. The director or owner of the childcare center needs to sign the application.

Step 4: Submit an insurance verification form

Complete an insurance verification form and have it signed by your insurance agency. All childcare centers must have current public liability insurance and fire insurance.

Step 5: Develop an emergency plan.

Complete an emergency/disaster drill report and a written emergency plan for your childcare center.

Step 6: Complete the required additional documentation

You will need to submit additional documentation along with your application including:

• A square footage report
• An activity schedule
• A menu 
• A new employee orientation checklist 
• Staff paperwork for all staff members

The best licensing option for your daycare will depend on your business' needs. Whether you are opening a center-based program or starting a preschool at home, consider your goals, your business plan, and the needs of your community.

Once you have submitted your license or registration application, choose a name for your childcare center and create a marketing plan. After you have received your license and are ready to enroll children in your program, a childcare management software such as brightwheel's center management tool can save you time and simplify your admissions process, record keeping, and reporting.

How to stay compliant with a daycare license in Montana

After you receive your daycare license or register as an FFN provider, you must comply with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services regulations. Childcare licenses and FFN provider registrations are valid for one year.

Renewing your childcare license or FFN provider registration

• Submit an annual renewal application

• Complete eight hours of annual training

• Submit the documents listed in the family or group childcare facility renewal checklist
• Complete annual inspections by the state fire marshal and public health authorities
• Submit an FBI fingerprint background check every five years

• Submit the documents listed in the childcare center renewal checklist
• Complete annual inspections by the state fire marshal and public health authorities

Funding resources for your childcare business

As you go through the licensing process, you may come across grants or other funding resources that can help fund your childcare business. A grant is an often overlooked financial resource given by a government agency or private foundation that does not need to be repaid. This makes them an attractive funding option if you are looking to expand or enhance the quality and accessibility of your program.

Grants provide funding that can be used towards a variety of purposes, such as improving facilities, purchasing new equipment or materials, or offering professional development opportunities for staff. The available resources vary by state so it is crucial to research and understand the grants for childcare providers in Montana to make informed decisions about which ones to apply for.

Final thoughts

Starting a daycare business is a rewarding venture that requires careful planning. Review and follow these instructions to become licensed and take the first steps to provide quality child care to families in your community.

Brightwheel is the complete solution for early education providers, enabling you to streamline your center’s operations and build a stand-out reputation. Brightwheel connects the most critical aspects of running your center—including sign in and out, parent communications, tuition billing, and licensing and compliance—in one easy-to-use tool, along with providing best-in-class customer support and coaching. Brightwheel is trusted by thousands of early education centers and millions of parents. Learn more at mybrightwheel.com.