A chat with NM Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on
Investing in Montana’s Early Childhood Future

Earlier this week, we were honored to host New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and former Montana Gov. Steve Bullock at the University of Montana Institute for Early Childhood Education in Missoula for a conversation about how investments in early childhood can make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families. (Watch a video of the conversation.)

The discussion highlighted New Mexico’s historic achievement as the first state in the nation to implement universal, no-cost childcare. New Mexico’s new Universal Child Care Blueprint illustrates how this progress didn't happen overnight or through a single policy change. It was the result of sustained efforts to build a strong early care and education system that supports children, eases the financial pressures on families, and recognizes the essential role of early childhood educators. 

A special thank you to Gov. Lujan Grisham, Gov. Bullock, Sen. Laura Smith and the UM Institute for Early Childhood Education for helping to advance this important conversation.

We invite you to join a collective effort in Montana urging state lawmakers to prioritize young children and families in the upcoming 2027 legislative session: sign on to the 2027 co-created policy agenda!

Let’s Help Shape Montana's Future &
Get Families to the Capitol 🏛️

The issues affecting families with young children matter - not just to individual families, but to the strength and future of our communities and our state. Parents deserve a meaningful voice in the decisions that shape their lives, and policymakers need to hear directly from the families those decisions impact.

For Giving Tuesday, coming up on Dec. 1, we're raising $8,000 to help at least 10 Montana families travel to Helena in February 2027 for our biennial Have a Heart for Kids event. Will you help us get them there?

Your donation helps cover the cost of mileage, lodging, meals, and activities for children, removing the financial barriers that can make it difficult for families to participate.
It also gives parents the opportunity to take part in advocacy training, share their experiences, and have direct conversations with elected officials about the issues that matter most to their families - from affordable child care and early learning to health care, housing, transportation, and putting food on the table.

When parents have a seat at the table, the conversation changes. Their experiences bring important perspective to policy decisions, helping ensure that the needs of children and families are part of the solutions being shaped for Montana's future.

A contribution of any size helps make that possible. Together, we can put parents at the center of the conversation and help build a stronger foundation for Montana's next generation.

Zero to Five Montana is hiring!

We are seeking a strategic and collaborative Early Childhood Policy Manager specializing in early care and education to help advance policies that support young children, families, and the early childhood workforce.   

This role is ideal for a professional who is passionate about using research, data, and stakeholder engagement to improve access, quality, and equity within early care and education systems. In this role, you will be a key player in shaping and analyzing policy, convening partners, and navigating the legislative landscape to drive impactful, statewide change for children ages zero to five.  

Check out The CONNECTOR

Sign up for The CONNECTOR, a new monthly e-blast developed specifically for child care providers to support the business of care through free trainings, tools and support.

Upcoming Trainings

All Our Kin (AOK) 10-Week Business Series is designed specifically for Family and Group Child care providers. Research on family child care indicates that providers who utilize effective professional and business practices are less likely to experience personal and professional stress and more likely to view family child care as a career. This class will give you a professional business foundation to run a successful child care business.  AOK starts Nov. 17, 6:00-9:00 p.m. via Zoom. 

The Professional In Me is a three-session professional development series for childcare employees who want to build confidence, grow their skills, and make a bigger impact.
This virtual training with Kendra starts Nov. 18 at 6:00 p.m.

Family Forward Montana: Supporting Business Owners in Building Family-Friendly Workplaces 

From childcare tuition assistance and dependent care assistance programs to paid time off and the creation of childcare coalitions or cooperatives, there are many ways businesses can help working parents thrive while strengthening their workforce.

In October, Bela Bucciarelli, Project Manager for Zero to Five Montana and the Family Forward Montana initiative, visited White Sulphur Springs to share practical ways employers can invest in their working parent workforce.

We're excited to see Meagher County employers exploring opportunities to support their current and future working parents. We hope this is just the beginning of more conversations and action to come!

Are you an employer looking to become more family-friendly? A great place to start is the Best Place for Working Parents® free, 3-minute survey. It can help you identify family-friendly practices and explore ways to support your employees and your business.