Best Beginnings

Childcare facilities around the state struggle with staffing and affordability. The challenges of finding and affording childcare seen across the state are worse in rural areas, where providers are scarce and wages tend to be lower. Legislators are assessing bills to subsidize childcare access.

Two bills to expand a scholarship to help low-income families pay for child care are advancing at the Montana Legislature.

A year after Montana lawmakers expanded a child care scholarship for low-income and working families, enrollment is falling short of expectations.

Eligibility for a state funded child care scholarship will expand starting July 1. Parents and providers say changes will make the program more affordable and accessible.

A proposal to expand low-income families’ eligibility for child care scholarships has advanced in the Montana House of Representatives.

Governor Steve Bullock announced May 6 that $10 million is now available to Montana child care providers funded through the federal CARES Act Child Care &…