How many childcare assistance resources are in Montana?

Women's Corner tracks 13 childcare assistance resources for women in Montana.

Are childcare assistance resources in Montana free?

13 of the 13 listed childcare assistance resources in Montana are explicitly free or low-cost.

Which cities in Montana have childcare assistance resources?

Listings span cities including Helena, Missoula.

What are some examples of childcare assistance resources in Montana?

Featured entries include Montana DPHHS — Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarships, Child Care Resources — Missoula, Montana Child Care Resource & Referral Network, Zero to Five Montana, ChildCare.gov.

Do these listings include phone numbers?

4 of 13 Montana childcare assistance listings include phone numbers.

How do I get help paying for daycare?

Apply for CCDF (Child Care and Development Fund) subsidies through your state's child care assistance agency — eligibility is typically up to 85% of state median income for working or in-school parents. Wait lists exist in some states. Head Start (ages 3–5) and Early Head Start (0–3) are free for income-qualifying families and include education, meals, and family services.

What's the difference between Head Start and daycare?

Head Start is a free federally-funded program for low-income kids ages 3–5 that includes early education, free meals, health and dental screenings, and parent involvement — typically 3–6 hours/day during the school year. Daycare/CCDF subsidies cover full-day, year-round care at licensed providers. Many families use both: Head Start morning + wrap-around CCDF-funded daycare.

Can I get childcare while I'm in school or job training?

Yes — CCDF subsidies cover parents in education and job training programs, not just employed parents. The CCAMPIS federal program funds free on-campus childcare at hundreds of colleges. WIOA-enrolled trainees often receive childcare support through their American Job Center case manager. TANF includes childcare as part of work activities.

Are there options for night-shift or weekend childcare?

Limited but growing. Search Child Care Aware (1-800-424-2246) for 'non-traditional hours' providers in your state. Some states have specific non-traditional-hour subsidies. Family Child Care homes are often more flexible than centers. The military Child Care Aware program serves National Guard, Reserve, and DoD-eligible families with 24/7 backup care.

Best Childcare Assistance in Montana — 13 resources

About Childcare Assistance for Women

Childcare assistance for mothers is delivered primarily through the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG/CCDF), Head Start, Early Head Start, and state pre-K. CCDF subsidies are administered by each state's lead agency (usually the Department of Human Services) and help families pay for licensed care while parents work, attend school, or participate in training — eligibility typically up to 85% of state median income. Head Start serves children 3–5 from families below the Federal Poverty Level; Early Head Start covers birth to 3 plus pregnant women. Child Care Aware (1-800-424-2246) and state Resource & Referral agencies match families to providers. This directory includes each state's CCDF office, Head Start programs, and R&R agencies.

Childcare Assistance in Montana

Montana district courts handle family matters in each of its 56 counties across 22 judicial districts. The Child Support Services Division operates under DPHHS. Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, and Bozeman are the largest cities. Montana Legal Services Association and the Montana Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence support women, with strong online self-help for pro se litigants.

13 Resources

1. Montana DPHHS — Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarships — Free

Montana DPHHS — Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarships is a Montana childcare resource helping mothers with subsidies, voucher programs, Head Start, and early-learning placements. Call 888-706-1535 to start intake or ask which services you qualify for. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm — confirm by phone before driving in. No fee for eligible women, with intake handled confidentially.

888-706-1535 · 111 N Sanders Suite 210, Helena, MT 59620 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. Child Care Resources — Missoula — Free

Child Care Resources — Missoula is a Montana childcare resource helping mothers with subsidies, voucher programs, Head Start, and early-learning placements. Reach the team at 406-728-6446 to schedule a screening. Available Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; the team can answer questions about documents and timing. Free of charge for women meeting income or program eligibility.

406-728-6446 · 127 N Higgins Ave, Missoula, MT 59802 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

3. Montana Child Care Resource & Referral Network — Free

Montana Child Care Resource & Referral Network is a national childcare resource Montana women can use for subsidies, voucher programs, Head Start, and early-learning placements. Phone 800-747-7910 for case-by-case eligibility, current openings, and next steps. Available Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; the team can answer questions about documents and timing. Free of charge for women meeting income or program eligibility.

800-747-7910 · Statewide Service · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

4. Zero to Five Montana — Free

Zero to Five Montana works with women across Montana on subsidies, voucher programs, Head Start, and early-learning placements. Call 406-443-3949 to start intake or ask which services you qualify for. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm — confirm by phone before driving in. Free for qualifying Montana mothers and their children.

406-443-3949 · Helena, MT 59601 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

5. ChildCare.gov — Free

Federal hub for finding quality child care, financial assistance, and learning about state subsidies for working mothers and families. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for working mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on subsidized childcare placement, after-school programs, preschool, and provider referrals. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

6. Office of Child Care (ACF) — Free

Federal office administering Child Care and Development Fund. Subsidies and quality programs in every state for working mothers and families. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for working mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on subsidized childcare placement, after-school programs, preschool, and provider referrals. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

7. Head Start Locator — Free

Free, federally funded preschool for low-income families with children 0-5. Find a program near you. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for working mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on subsidized childcare placement, after-school programs, preschool, and provider referrals. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

8. Early Head Start — Free

Federally funded early childhood program for pregnant women and families with infants and toddlers. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for working mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on subsidized childcare placement, after-school programs, preschool, and provider referrals. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

9. Child Care Aware of America — Free

1-800-424-2246 — free help finding quality, affordable childcare in your community for working mothers and families. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for working mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on subsidized childcare placement, after-school programs, preschool, and provider referrals. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. Zero to Three — Free

Resources for parents and professionals on early childhood development from birth to age 3 for working mothers and families. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for working mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on subsidized childcare placement, after-school programs, preschool, and provider referrals. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. USDA Child & Adult Care Food Program — Free

CACFP — federal program reimbursing childcare providers for nutritious meals served to children for working mothers and families. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for working mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on subsidized childcare placement, after-school programs, preschool, and provider referrals. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. Boys & Girls Clubs of America — Free

Safe, affordable after-school and summer programs for children ages 6-18 nationwide for working mothers and families. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for working mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on subsidized childcare placement, after-school programs, preschool, and provider referrals. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. National Association for Family Child Care — Free

NAFCC — supporting quality home-based childcare and helping parents find accredited family providers. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for working mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on subsidized childcare placement, after-school programs, preschool, and provider referrals. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many childcare assistance resources are in Montana?: Women's Corner tracks 13 childcare assistance resources for women in Montana.
Are childcare assistance resources in Montana free?: 13 of the 13 listed childcare assistance resources in Montana are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Montana have childcare assistance resources?: Listings span cities including Helena, Missoula.
What are some examples of childcare assistance resources in Montana?: Featured entries include Montana DPHHS — Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarships, Child Care Resources — Missoula, Montana Child Care Resource & Referral Network, Zero to Five Montana, ChildCare.gov.
Do these listings include phone numbers?: 4 of 13 Montana childcare assistance listings include phone numbers.
How do I get help paying for daycare?: Apply for CCDF (Child Care and Development Fund) subsidies through your state's child care assistance agency — eligibility is typically up to 85% of state median income for working or in-school parents. Wait lists exist in some states. Head Start (ages 3–5) and Early Head Start (0–3) are free for income-qualifying families and include education, meals, and family services.
What's the difference between Head Start and daycare?: Head Start is a free federally-funded program for low-income kids ages 3–5 that includes early education, free meals, health and dental screenings, and parent involvement — typically 3–6 hours/day during the school year. Daycare/CCDF subsidies cover full-day, year-round care at licensed providers. Many families use both: Head Start morning + wrap-around CCDF-funded daycare.
Can I get childcare while I'm in school or job training?: Yes — CCDF subsidies cover parents in education and job training programs, not just employed parents. The CCAMPIS federal program funds free on-campus childcare at hundreds of colleges. WIOA-enrolled trainees often receive childcare support through their American Job Center case manager. TANF includes childcare as part of work activities.
Are there options for night-shift or weekend childcare?: Limited but growing. Search Child Care Aware (1-800-424-2246) for 'non-traditional hours' providers in your state. Some states have specific non-traditional-hour subsidies. Family Child Care homes are often more flexible than centers. The military Child Care Aware program serves National Guard, Reserve, and DoD-eligible families with 24/7 backup care.