Are you interested in starting your own child care business? We are here to help! HRDC 7 offers several tools to ensure your early learning facility succeeds. Here are some helpful resources to get your started:
Child Care’s Provider Services Department provides help and support for:
Licensed and new child care centers, family & group homes, and Family/Friend/Neighbors in Big Horn, Carbon, Carter, Custer, Fallon, Golden Valley, Musselshell, Powder River, Rosebud, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Treasure, Wheatland, and Yellowstone Counties.
What kind of support is available to child care providers?
HRDC provides oversight and resources to ensure providers are given the tools they need to remain compliant with state regulations and deliver a safe, affordable and quality service. In addition to trainings we offer:
- Tips and resources to improve your program; and recruitment, retention and motivation of staff
- Ideas for low cost marketing, daily schedules and transitions, and how to operate a safe and healthy program
- How to implement emergency policies and procedures including medication administration and managing infectious disease
- Resources to provide developmentally appropriate care for infants, toddlers and preschoolers
- State and National accreditation, standards, and quality rating and improvement systems
- Raise MT Home Based ToolkitThis is a great for home-based businesses, and useful to those starting up and/or needing support.
What types of services are offered?
- Maintain licensing requirements
- Technical assistance
- Child Care Collaboration
- Quarterly meeting for child care providers, CCR&R staff, and Child Care Licensors. Come and ask questions or hear about current changes or updates.
- Collaboration Notes for 06.14.2022
- Child Care Collaboration 09.14.2022
- Child Care Collaboration 12.13.2022
- Child Care Collaboration 03.14.2023
- Professional Development Training in:
- Observation, Documentation, & Assessment
- Program Management
- Family & Community Partnerships
- Environmental Design
- Child Growth & Development
- Health & Well-Being
- Professionalism
- Curriculum
- Diversity
- Child Guidance
- Evidence Based Best Practices
- For young children with special needs and their parents and providers
Best Beginnings Family/Friend/Neighbor (FFN)
What is a Family/Friend/Neighbor (FFN)?
A Family/Friend/Neighbor is a special certification for a friend or family member that cares for up to two children from different families or all the children in one sibling group. The family that is receiving care must be eligible for the Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship. Click here for the FFN page on dphhs.mt.gov
How do I apply to become a Family/Friend/Neighbor (FFN)?
- You will only be eligible to become an FFN if the family you are providing child care for is eligible for the Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship.
- The family’s application paperwork (which is submitted to the local Child Care Resource and Referral Agency) is separate from your application paperwork.
Application requirements include:
- Family Association Form
- Forms required for all adults living in the household 18 years and older (fees vary)
- Statement of Health Form
- State of MT Release of Information
- FBI Release of Information form for Fingerprint
- Health and Safety Checklist
- Medication Administration Attestation
- Immunization Certification Form
- Tax ID Form – W9
- Training Requirements
- Health & Safety Overview
- FFN Fundamentals
- CPR/First Aid Certification (required for non-relative care)
Contact Child Care Licensing if you have any questions about the FFN Program:
PO Box 4210
Helena MT 59620-4210
Phone: (406) 444-2012
Fax : (406) 444-2750 or Email: childcarelicensing@mt.gov
How do I attend FFN Training?
Please click here to be directed to training information on the Montana DPHHS website.
