Licensed Daycare in Montana
Find the right daycare in Montana in under 5 minutes. 650 licensed centers — filter by age, cost, and subsidy. Verified weekly against Montana DPHHS — Early Childhood and Family Support Division. Free, no signup.
Montana Childcare Licensing
In Montana, all child care centers serving children outside the family home are required to be licensed by the Montana DPHHS — Early Childhood and Family Support Division. Licensed centers undergo background checks, capacity inspections, and routine compliance reviews.
Minimum staff-to-child ratios are 1:4 for infants under 12 months, 1:8 for toddlers (12–35 months), and 1:10 for preschool (3–5 years). NAEYC-accredited centers typically operate below the state minimum.
Verify a license at Montana DPHHS — Early Childhood and Family Support DivisionWhat's distinctive about Montana: Montana has limited supply outside Billings, Missoula, and Bozeman. Best Beginnings scholarships serve families up to 150% federal poverty level with sliding-scale copays.
Quick licensing facts
- Regulator
- Montana DPHHS — Early Childhood and Family Support Division
- Infant ratio
- 1:4
- Toddler ratio
- 1:8
- Preschool ratio
- 1:10
- Avg infant cost
- $920/mo
- Avg preschool cost
- $720/mo
Montana Childcare Subsidies & Tax Credits
Montana families can apply for Montana Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship based on income and work/school status. Federal programs — the Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit, Dependent Care FSA ($5,000 cap), and Head Start — stack on top of state assistance.
Local intake line: (406) 444-5900
Official Montana & Federal Resources
Independently verify any provider, check subsidy eligibility, and access national child-care databases — all official .gov sources.
Recently Verified Centers
View all 650 →Happy Days Billings Daycare #97
Bearcreek
Billings KinderCare #98
Belfry
Billings Primrose School #99
Bighorn
La Petite Academy Billings #100
Big Timber
Missoula Discovery Preschool
Birney
Missoula Stepping Stones #2
Boyd
First Steps Missoula #3
Bridger
Missoula Little Scholars #4
Broadview
Missoula Creative Kids #5
Busby
ABC Academy Missoula #6
Clyde Park
Missoula Precious Moments #7
Columbus
Missoula Golden Gate Daycare #8
Cooke City
Daycare in Montana — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know a daycare in Montana is licensed?
What is the staff-to-child ratio in Montana?
How much does daycare cost in Montana?
Are subsidies available for childcare in Montana?
How do I report unsafe conditions at a Montana daycare?
Search 650 Licensed Montana Centers
Free, no signup, filter by age and subsidy acceptance.