EXCERPT FROM: Billings Gazette
By Jennifer McKee
HELENA — Led by one of Montana’s most successful industrialists, a group of nonprofits has launched a drive to bring large private donations to Montana’s cash-strapped early childhood educational system — where the average teacher makes less than $17,000 a year.

EXCERPT FROM: KRTV News
By Alex Grubb
Working parents in Montana may be able to get a break on their taxes when it comes to daycare expenses.

EXCERPT FROM: Missoulian
By Tristan Scott
Allegations of sexual abuse at a Missoula child care facility betray shortfalls in the state’s licensing requirements, and local and national advocates are calling for improved oversight.

EXCERPT FROM: Missoulian
By Jennifer McKee
HELENA - If the state goes ahead with plans to cancel a $230,000 increase in child care subsidies next year, kids from poorer working families will be priced out of some child care centers and preschools, providers say.

HELENA - More than 200,000 Montana children require some kind of child care almost every day. Together, their ranks number almost twice the population of the state's largest city. Some of these children will spend more waking hours with a paid caregiver than with their own parents.

Earlier this week, we told you that the Missoula County School Board eliminated the Young Families program at Missoula's Sentinel High School, which didn't survive the budget ax.

Daycare is often the second biggest monthly expense in the family budget, behind the mortgage or rent, and as we found out, childcare is not a recession proof industry.

It was summer, so at least the kids were warm. It wasn't until the weather turned chilly in the fall that the people who knew called authorities.

ASHEVILLE – Buncombe County may be in danger of losing one of its two child care centers licensed to work with children with developmental disabilities.

Tough economic times make for tough decisions.