First of all, congratulations on taking this important step in your child care profession! We know how hard it can be to find your way around when opening up a child care business in Montana. Our six-step guide may help clear up some of the confusion about the licensing process so you can reach your first goals.

You can make use of our library of resources for additional support and join Wonderschool for all the tools and community you need to launch a successful program. 

Minimum Requirements

• Be over the age of 18 at the time of the application
• Have full medical immunization per the ARM statute
• Successfully pass the criminal background check and includes all members living in the household over the age of 18; per the ARM statute
• Complete a new director orientation within the 60 days of becoming a director
• Be current on the Montana ECP Practitioner Registry
• Complete all the required trainings, orientations, and CPR/First Aid, Sleep training as part of the application process

Capacity Requirements

You have the option to submit your application electronically or by paper

• Family, Friend, Neighbor Provider: is a Registered provider which may provide care in a child’s home or in the provider’s residence for a sibling group of any size or no more than 4 unrelated children
• Family Home: is a private residence in which care is provided for 3-8 children on a regular basis and is considered Registered
• Group Home: is a private residence or other structure in which care is provided for 9 to 15 children on a regular basis and is considered Registered

Resources & Links

• What courses do I need to take to get licensed (FAQ)?
• Provider Staff Role Types
• Emergency Disaster Plan
• Safe Sleep Training
• Sign In Sheet and Sign Out Sheet Talking Points
• Egress Window Requirements
• Sample Menu
• Meal Pattern Chart
• Meal Pattern Chart – Infants
• Outdoor Weather Guide
• Adult Immunization Requirements
• FBI Background Check Instruction
• Tribal Background Information
• Professional Development Opportunities (includes grants!)
• New Facility Flowchart

Step 1: Review Montana Family Child Care regulations

• Anyone caring for more than one family’s children, or for more than 2 unrelated children, needs to become registered. Registered child cares are essentially licensed with the state of Montana. Sign up to Montana’s ECE professional registry
• Family, Friend, Neighbor Provider: is a Registered provider which may provide care in a child’s home or in the provider’s residence for a sibling group of any size or no more than 4 unrelated children 
• Family Home: is a private residence in which care is provided for 3-8 children on a regular basis and is considered Registered – Application
• Group Home: is a private residence or other structure in which care is provided for 9 to 15 children on a regular basis and is considered Registered
• Review Licensing Rules and Regulations for Family and Group Homes 

Step 2: Create an Online Account

• For first-time users, you will need to create an account for Montana’s online application. 
• You will still need to upload the physical forms that you fill out as part of your application packet to the CCL site. 
• Create your account here

Step 3: Family / Group Application Forms

• Insurance Verification Form
• Attestation Form
• Fire Safety Record and Evacuation Plan
• Floor Plan/Square Footage Report
• Activity Schedule/Written Plan
• Menu Form
• Staff Master List Form
• Person Information Form
• Release of Information Form
• FBI Release of Information Form
• New Staff Checklist

Step 3: Create your ChildCareTraining.Org Account and Sign Up for Trainings: Safe Sleep, CPR/1st Aid, New Provider Training completion

• Create an account to get your Montana State Trainings done 
• Select from the Course Catalog; CCL Orientation and enroll in the following:
  • Early Childhood Essentials
  • Infant Safety Essentials: Practices including Safe Sleep and Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome
  • New Staff Health and Safety Orientation
  • Together We Grow
• CPR/1st Aid – Online training options
  • You may take other training options as long as they can provide you a valid CPR/1st Aid certification for children and infants

Step 4: Submit Licensing Application

You have the option to submit your application electronically or by paper

• Online application
• Paper application – Family / Group Child Care
• If by paper, mail completed packet to” 

DPHHS/QAD/CCL 

Attn: Family/Group 

PO Box 202953 

Helena, MT 59620-2953 

Step 5: Licensing visit and approval

• Once your application has been received and your criminal background check/child abuse clearance has been completed, a Child Care Licensing Worker will conduct a home visit to inspect your entire home 
• Any deficiencies cited during the application and licensing process must be corrected before your registration will be approved
• During Covid-19, make sure to check any additional requirements or resources for your program

Step 6: Success!

Pat yourself on the back, take a deep breath, and get some rest– your journey of being a licensed, child care director is just beginning! 

Start, run, and grow your child care business with Wonderschool

Join Wonderschool for support throughout the licensing process, setting up your environment, making critical business decisions, and running the day-to-day of your program. You don’t have to do this alone!

Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash