Finding Child Care

Take Your Time

Quality child care makes a big difference in the future of your child. By choosing quality child care now, you give your child a head start on a strong mind, body and spirit. So take your time in choosing child care. Compare your options, and ask plenty of questions. Download our Child Care Need Form

Training Matters

Adults trained in child development who offer a warm, nurturing environment are best able to provide a quality program. Through training, providers learn how to plan for children who have different needs at different stages. Ask about the background and experience of all staff. Find out about the special training each one has and whether the program is ‘Star Quality’ rated. Can the provider give you the names of parent references? Quality providers will be happy you asked.

Common Business Practices

Child care is a business, and every early care and education professional is a business owner who relies on profits to stay afloat. It is important that parents respect their early care and education professional’s business policies.

You should expect to sign a contract. Be sure you read and fully understand the contract before signing. Providers usually require a deposit or advanced payment, as well as a specific amount of advance notice before a child is withdrawn from child care. Some providers charge by the day and some charge by the month. Some bill weekly, and some bill monthly. There may be a late payment fee, late pick up fee, transportation or meal fee.

Monitor Your Child’s Care

Well-informed consumers are the best monitors of child care. Parents must learn to recognize the warning signs of poor quality care so they can avoid low quality settings and demand a high quality child care system.

A variety of mechanisms monitor the quality of child care programs, including state standards, local health and safety codes, the USDA Child Care Food Program and professional accreditation programs. For this reason, it pays to look for a registered or licensed facility. Ask about staff qualifications and training.

Parents cannot rely on the state to guarantee health and safety in child care. In Montana, licensors do not inspect all facilities annually. Before you begin working with an early care and education professional, telephone the local Quality Assurance Division-Child Care Licensing office to learn of any history of substantiated complaints against that provider.

If you see a problem in a child care setting, it is your responsibility to report it to the Quality Assurance Division so they can investigate and protect children.

The phone numbers of the Quality Assurance Division staff serving Missoula, Mineral and Ravalli Counties are 329-1589 or 329-1590.

Have a Back up Plan

Every parent encounters child care emergencies. Be prepared by having back-up child care arranged for those days when you have to work late, or your early care and education professional is sick.

No registered or licensed provider may care for a sick child. Missoula has a Get Well Child Care Center called Cuddles & Care at St. Patrick Hospital’s Providence Center, 902 N. Orange Street. To learn more about it, or to pre-register, phone 327-3050.