'The Nurturing Center's goal is to ensure that children are treated with

respect and live in safety with secure, healthy relationships.'

Child Care Referrals

The Nurturing Center provides a child care referral service to assist parents in their search for quality child care.

All child care providers listed on our database are registered or licensed with the State of Montana Quality Assurance Division.

Access this service by calling us at 406-756-1414, 800-204-0644 or email our referral specialist at colleen@nurturingcenter.org.

• We will gather the information we need from you to match your family with child care providers who offer the services you need who have openings. Once the referral is complete, we can either mail it, fax it, or email it to you.
• When you receive your referral, please use the checklist and brochures we send along to help you in your search for quality care.

 

Choosing child care is one of the most important decisions a parent faces. In order to assist you in making this decision consider the following tips. For more information, contact: colleen@nurturingcenter.org or visit www.childcare.mt.gov.

Tips for choosing child care

• Is the facility registered or licensed by the State of Montana?
• Does the caregiver appear to be warm, friendly and to enjoy being with children?
• Is the provider knowledgeable about children's emotional and physical development?
• Are nutritious meals and snacks provided?
• Are there planned activities? Does the provider read to and engage with the children?
• Do you agree with the caregiver's attitudes and methods of discipline?
• Are there safety provisions such as a locked cabinet for medicines, household cleaners and a play area safe from traffic and water hazards?
• Does the provider respect your family and cultural values?
• Does the facility or caregiver have a history of documented problems? Contact your local Department of Public Health and Human Services Quality Assurance Division for information about individual providers that you may be considering.

Contact your local Department of Public Health and Human Services Quality Assurance Division for information about individual providers that you may be considering.

38 Research Based Indicators of High-Quality Child Care

Montana Department of Public Health and Human services offers "Best Beginnings" child-care scholarships to qualified low-income families whose child attends a licensed child-care center, registered group or family child-care home, or legally unregistered child-care provider. Each family participates in the cost care by making a co-payment based on a sliding fee scale.