Childcare Subsidies in Montana
Financial assistance programs to help Montana families pay for daycare and childcare.
Montana Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship
Star quality rated providers receive higher reimbursement.
Am I Eligible?
How to Apply for Child Care Assistance in Montana
Application Process
Apply for Montana's Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship through the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) online at apply.mt.gov or at your local Office of Public Assistance. Montana calls its subsidy a 'scholarship,' which reflects the program's structure. You will need proof of income, Montana residency, Social Security numbers, child birth certificates, and verification of work or education activity. Montana requires that you be working or in an approved training program. Processing takes 3-4 weeks, with rural offices sometimes processing faster than urban ones.
Co-Pay Structure
Montana's co-pay is based on family income and size using a sliding fee scale. The income ceiling is $54,204 for a family of four. Families below 100% FPL pay $0 in co-pays. Above that, co-pays range from $25-$75/week depending on income. Montana offers enhanced provider reimbursement rates for providers rated at 3 stars or above in the STARS to Quality program, which can mean more providers are willing to accept scholarship families. Co-pays are assessed per family.
Waitlist Reality
Montana does not typically maintain a statewide waitlist for Best Beginnings. However, the child care provider shortage in Montana is severe, particularly in rural areas and smaller towns. Montana is one of the most rural states in the country, and many communities have only one or two licensed providers (or none at all). The scholarship may be approved quickly, but finding a provider with an opening can take weeks or months in some areas.
Additional Programs in Montana
Montana does not have a universal state-funded pre-K program, though some school districts offer preschool programs using local funding. Head Start and Early Head Start are available in many Montana communities, including tribal Head Start programs on the state's reservations. The Montana STARS to Quality program rates providers and provides quality improvement support. The Best Beginnings program also covers care for children with special needs. Tribal child care programs through Montana's seven reservations offer additional support for Native families.
Tips for Montana Parents
Start searching for a provider immediately when you begin the application, because finding available care is harder than getting approved in Montana. If you are on a reservation or in a tribal community, contact your tribal child care program, as they may have additional resources beyond Best Beginnings. Family child care homes are common in rural Montana and can be a good option when center-based care is unavailable. Apply at apply.mt.gov for the fastest processing. Call Montana 211 for help locating providers in your area.
Federal Programs Available Everywhere
Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit
Claim 20-35% of childcare expenses on your federal taxes.
Dependent Care FSA (DCFSA)
Employer-sponsored pre-tax account for childcare expenses. Reduces taxable income.
Head Start / Early Head Start
Free federally funded program for children from low-income families. Head Start: ages 3-5. Early Head Start: birth to 3.
Eligibility: At or below federal poverty level (family of 4: ~$31,200 in 2024).
See Daycare Costs in Montana
Compare childcare prices across 56 counties in Montana. Center-based infant care averages $11,467/year.
View Montana daycare costs →