Child Care Connections

Who We Are

Child Care Connections is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving Gallatin, Park, Meagher, Lewis & Clark, Jefferson, and Broadwater counties. As a community nonprofit, we provide critical support to families and early childhood professionals in our region to improve the quality of and access to child care. Our mission is to advocate for the well-being and quality care of children by supporting early childhood professionals, families, and the communities we serve.

Our Work

Child Care Connections is dedicated to supporting early childhood professionals, families, and communities by providing a range of services and resources. We recognize the importance of child care in helping children develop to their full potential. Our team works tirelessly to ensure that families have access to quality child care, and that early childhood professionals have the training and resources they need to provide the best possible care.

Services We Offer

Child Care Connections offers a range of services, including:

• Child Care Resource and Referral: We help families find and afford quality child care, and provide support to early childhood professionals in opening or expanding child care facilities.
• Professional Development: We offer training and technical assistance to early childhood professionals to help them improve their skills and provide the best possible care.
• Child Care Resource Network: We are part of the Montana Child Care Resource and Referral Network, which provides support to early childhood professionals and families across Montana.
• Family Support: We offer one-on-one support to families to help them access resources and make their child's first years the best they can be.

The Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship

The Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship is a program that helps qualified, low-income Montana families pay for licensed/registered child care while they are not available to care for their children. The program is administered by Child Care Connections for the Montana Department of Health and Human Services (DPHHS). To qualify for the scholarship, families must meet income eligibility and participate in an activity requirement through one of the following activities: working, attending school/training, or meeting a child support requirement. The scholarship offers a sliding fee scale, and additional support is available for qualifying families of children with special needs.

Why We Matter

Child Care Connections matters because we recognize the critical role that child care plays in supporting children, families, and our communities. By providing high-quality child care and supporting early childhood professionals, we are investing in the future of our communities. We are proud to be part of this effort, and we look forward to continuing to serve the families and early childhood professionals in our region.