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Calling all child care, school age and Head Start providers: Please take a Liability Insurance Survey!
Zero to Five Montana and partners are conducting a short survey to gather updated information on business liability insurance for child care and other care programs across Montana. We will use this data to support advocacy efforts, with the goal of finding a solution to improving the accessibility and affordability of insurance.
Your input helps ensure that decision-makers have up to date information!
Survey details:
- It should take about 10 minutes to complete
- We ask that surveys are completed by Friday, March 20
As a thank you for your time, completed surveys will be entered into a drawing for the chance to win a $100 gift card
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Thank you for the important work you do every day to support children and families!
With the release of the Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services' comprehensive needs assessment, strategic plan, and fiscal analysis for the early childhood system reports, Montana has a comprehensive road map for strengthening early childhood systems.
In response, the Montana Early Childhood Network is hosting a series of “Launch Labs” to bring partners together from across the state to work on each of the five priority areas of the strategic plan to help turn these reports into action.
Join us for our monthly virtual meet-up to foster connection, collaboration, and information-sharing ☕
This month's Coffee Connection will be with Kara Green,
Family to Family (F2F) : Help Families Navigate Health Care & Find Strength in Community | University of Montana.
🗓️ March 26 | ⏰ 9 a.m. | 💻 via Zoom
Kara will be sharing about Family to Family and peer support services.
If you haven't joined the Montana Early Childhood Network yet, sign up here!
Montana Early Childhood Account Board:
Meetings March 11 & March 26
The Montana Early Childhood Account (MECA) was created by the 2025 Legislature to strengthen early care and education across Montana. MECA provides essential funding to boost quality, workforce capacity, affordability, and access in early care programs.
The board meets twice this month: Wednesday March, 11, 10 a.m. via Zoom and Thursday March 26, 10 a.m. via Zoom. Public input is welcome!
Many of the owners and leaders at Missoula's Alpine PT have firsthand experience with the challenges of balancing a career while managing the cost and logistics of childcare as working parents. This experience was the driving force behind their decision to apply for the Employer-Sponsored Child Care Grant in 2025, through our Family Forward Initiative. In 2025, after being awarded the Employer Sponsored Child Care Grant, the business began implementing a dependent care assistance program for their employees.
Alpine Physical Therapy has also earned the Best Place for Working Parents® designation recognizing its commitment to supporting employees and their families, and the positive impact that support has on workplace success.
A Best Place for Working Parents® designation can help your company
gain and retain top industry talent.
Are you interested in presenting at the 2026 Connect Summit?
The call for proposals is open! This year's summit theme is "Inspiring Leadership, Nurturing Community." If you are interested in sharing your expertise and presenting at the event, please fill out this form by 5 p.m. on May 1, 2026, to be considered.
The 2026 summit will bring together child care business owners and leaders along with community stakeholders to build connections and develop solutions to strengthen our state’s early care and education sector – to the benefit of all Montanans.
This annual summit is hosted in partnership with the State of Montana Early Childhood & Family Support Division Child Care and Development Fund contractors: Zero to Five Montana, SPARK Montana, Child Care Training/Resources, Montana Early Childhood Project, and Family Connections Montana.
The 2026 Connect Summit will be held July 28-29 at Fairmont Hot Springs. Keynote speaker announcement and information on registration coming soon!
Zero to Five Montana is excited to support child care providers through Child Care Substitute Solutions! This program offers reliable substitute coverage helping programs remain open, stable, and responsive to the needs of children and families across Montana.
You should consider becoming a child care substitute if you have a genuine desire:
▪️To enjoy the freedom of accepting shifts when it works best for you.
◾To make a meaningful difference in the lives of children.
◾To build hands-on experience in the early childhood education field.
◾To develop professional connections and become part of a supportive community.
One of the many great perks that comes along with being an AllyHealth Virtual Care member is the prescription savings.
If you're a child care business owner in the state of Montana, signing yourself and your employees up for AllyHealth Virtual Care through Zero to Five Montana is $13/person per month.
🔗 To learn more & sign up, click here: childcarebusinessconnect.com/shared-services
Already an AllyHealth member and having troubles accessing your membership? Call 215-543-7400 for assistance.
Every decision you make has a financial impact. Good hiring decisions often take more time, effort, energy, and resources. However, they also save you money and make you money. So next time you’re tempted to hire for speed, take a breath. Hire for fit within your program and your program’s culture. That’s how you build a team that lasts.
🔗 To read this months full blog post, click here: childcarebusinessconnect.com/blog/
Montana Child Care Business Connect is offering FREE courses through ChildCareTraining.org!
We’ve partnered with ChildCareTraining.org to offer FREE courses with ECP credits. Learn more & access the courses on our website.
GOOD TO KNOW
Montana Child Care Apprenticeship Program
Child care professionals and students across Montana can build their careers through Child Care Registered Apprenticeship and Certified Pre‑Apprenticeship, while employers strengthen and retain their workforce.
Child Care Registered Apprenticeship is a one‑year, on‑the‑job training program for individuals already working in child care settings. Certified Pre‑Apprenticeship is designed for high school students enrolled in child development CTE or dual‑enrollment classes, giving them a strong head start toward a child care career and a future registered apprenticeship.
Montana employers offering apprenticeships are eligible for a tax credit, learn more on the Montana Department of Revenue website.
This project is funded in whole or in part under a contract with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. The statements herein do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the department.
