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Upcoming Legislative Interim Meetings
- Jan. 10: Joint meeting Education Interim Committee & Financial Modernization & Risk Analysis study committee (watch here)
- Jan. 11: State-Tribal Relations Committee (watch here)
- Jan. 17: Economic Affairs (watch here)
- Jan. 18: Children, Families, Health & Human Services interim committee (watch here)
- Jan. 18: Board of Public Education (watch here)
- Jan. 19: Board of Public Education (watch here)
What's happening in 2024
We are gearing up for 2024 to be a big year! Reflecting on 2023, it was the impactful early childhood work we were able to accomplish with you – our partners, friends, and advocates – that is bringing us the most energy and hope as we look forward to 2024.
Last year, we pushed for investments related to child care, early education, and financial relief for Montana’s kids and families at the community level, and through state and federal legislation. (See our legislative recap here.) We hosted Have a Heart for Kids at the state capitol – it was a powerful event and reflecting back, it was such an honor to convene parents, early childhood partners, and policy makers alike.
We worked to support leaders who, despite numerous barriers, are making a real difference in their communities by developing innovative ways to offer care for children while supporting families, caregivers and their local work force. We brought many of these partners together at our first Montana Child Care Business Connect Summit where we hosted conversations with many Montana child care professionals and national industry experts.
Coming up!
Zero to Five Montana celebrates 5 years!
Montana Early Childhood Network convening in June
2nd Annual Montana Child Care Business Connect Summit in late summer
More MCCBC events (see below!)
Tribal Early Childhood Coalition work
Legislative outreach this summer & fall
And lastly, as I emerge a bit more from my maternity leave, I’m so happy to introduce the newest member of our family, Rylan Lee O’Rourke Murphy. Since his arrival in October, we have been fully enjoying this new little being in our world and this magical time in life. As I return to work, we’re also navigating many of the challenges parents with young children experience – including struggling to find quality child care.
I’m thankful for the family-flexibility we have at our workplace, and I’m encouraged to know there are so many great people working to support families raising kids in Montana. I know we can make a big impact if we work together to reach our goals, and for that, I’m so hopeful for the year ahead.
Please don’t hesitate at any time to reach out to me or any member of the Zero to Five Montana team. Happy New Year from all of us at Zero to Five Montana!
It’s time to make this country a better place for babies!
@ZEROTOTHREE is bringing families from all 50 states & D.C. back to Capitol Hill for #StrollingThunder on April 30 to represent their state & tell their policymakers to #ThinkBabies.
If you have a child under 3, you can represent your little one in Washington D.C.! Expenses are paid and no advocacy experience is necessary! Learn more and submit an interest form at http://www.thinkbabies.org/strollingthunder/
Make 2024 Your Best Business Year Yet!
Happy New Year! As we enter into 2024, we are filled with a renewed sense of energy and enthusiasm for the work we do together. At Montana Child Care Business Connect, we are committed to supporting and empowering child care businesses across our great state. As we embark on this new year, we want to extend our hand in partnership, offering the resources and support you need to meet your financial and business goals.
Supporting Your Financial Success
We understand that the financial aspect of running a child care business can sometimes feel overwhelming. With rising costs, changing regulations, and fluctuating market conditions, it's essential to have a solid financial foundation. That's why we are here for you. Our team of experts is ready to provide guidance and assistance in financial planning, budgeting, and navigating funding opportunities available to you. Let us help you create a roadmap for financial success in 2024 and beyond.
Every decision in a childcare business has a financial impact. The start of the year is an ideal time to plan to make better financial decisions. Our free planning program, LivePlan, is an easy way to create budgets, link accounting programs, and see financial performance in real time so you can make better decisions in your childcare business. LivePlan accounts are limited. Contact Jason Nitschke at JasonN@ZerotoFive.org to ask about how LivePlan can make it easier and faster to budget and manage financial performance.
Building Connections and Lifelong Learning
At Zero to Five Montana, we believe in the power of collaboration and ongoing learning. In 2024, we will continue to foster opportunities for you to connect with fellow child care professionals, share insights, and learn from one another. Our workshops, webinars, and networking events will provide valuable resources and a platform for you to exchange ideas and best practices. Together, we can create a strong and supportive community where everyone thrives.
Your Success is Our Mission
As we embark on this new year, please know that we are fully committed to supporting your success. We understand the vital role child care businesses play in shaping the lives of our youngest Montanans and the fabric of our communities. Your dedication and passion inspire us every day, and we are honored to be a part of your journey.
Let's make 2024 a year of growth, resilience, and transformation for your child care business. Reach out to us today, and let's work together to achieve your financial and business goals. We're here to support you every step of the way.
Wishing you a prosperous and fulfilling year!
We Want to Highlight Your Business!
We are currently in the process of featuring DPHHS Child Care Innovation and Infrastructure Grant recipients on our platforms to highlight the amazing work being done across Montana and we would like to extend an opportunity for you to showcase your business!
To feature your project and business, we kindly request that you provide us with the following information:
- Logo: Please provide us with a high-resolution version of your organization's logo. This will be used for branding purposes in our promotional materials.
- High-resolution photos: We would appreciate it if you could share high-quality images that showcase your project's progress. These visuals will be a great addition to our feature and help us tell your story effectively.
- Project description: Please provide us with a paragraph or two describing your project and its impact. We would love to hear about where you started, the progress you have made, and any notable achievements along the way. This will allow us to highlight your project effectively to our audience.
By featuring your project, we hope to not only bring attention to the incredible work you are doing but also inspire others to act and create positive change in their communities.
If your team is interested, please send the requested materials and information to Communications and Outreach Coordinator, Heide Borgonovo (heideb@zerotofive.org). If you have any questions or need further assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
Montana Child Care Business Connect is here to support grantees so if you are experiencing challenges with implementation of your project, be sure to let Shelby Whelan (shelbyw@zerotofive.org) or Alex DuBois (alexd@zerotofive.org) know and we will work to support you.
Education & Events
Wednesday, January 10 | Food Costs too High? Informational Session to Help Cut Costs!
6:00-7:00 PM | Zoom
Are rising food costs getting you down? Does every "light at the end of the tunnel" seem like it's just an oncoming train? Well, there may be an answer - a new program, now available to early childhood learning providers in Montana, could save you hundreds and dramatically improve your bottom line! School Services of Montana (SSoM) Co-op Food Program. You'll learn details about how this program works; why this program is now available to you; a testimonial from a fellow provider; what the sign-up process looks like from start to savings; how much it costs (spoiler alert - access to this program is FREE!)
Save The Dates:
Community Capacity Building Cohort #3
Mark your calendars! The application for our third community capacity building cohort launches January 22 and will close Feburary 16.
An informational webinar about the program will be held, Wednesday January 24 @ 12:00pm via zoom.
Register for the informational webinar below!
Tiny Trainings Series 4
- Feburary 1 | Employment Law
- February 15 | Recruitment and Retention
- February 29 | Onboarding and Training Development
- March 14 | Performance Management
- March 28 | Conflict Resolution
- April 18 | Using Technology for Efficiency
All webinars will be via zoom from 1:30-2:00 PM.
Registration open soon!
Recorded Webinars Available
Missed a Tiny Training webinar? Subscribe to our YouTube channel to access past recordings. Or, visit childcarebusinessconnect.com.
First Childrens Finance Trainings:
Feburary 22 | Developing a Marketing Plan for your Child Care Business. 10:00am-12:00 PM | (more Center geared)
6:00-8:00 PM | (more FFN geared)
March 21 | Managing Enrollment in your Child Care Facility
6:00-8:00 PM
April 23 | Subject TBD
5:30-8:30 PM
Registration open soon!
In the News
- Montana early learning programs adopt language preservation, formalized & funded with state support (Early Learning Nation)
- Changes to four-day school week prompt childcare, hunger concerns (Montana Free Press)
- Schools prepare to retool early childhood program (Montana Free Press)
- Child care gaps in rural America threaten to undercut small communities (KFF Health News)
- Could Michigan's cost-sharing approach to childcare be scaled nationwide? (EdSurge)
