Early Childhood Focus

Fingerprint Checks for Childcare Workers Sought

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 15:21:01 PST

EXCERPT FROM: KAJ18.com
By Irina Cates
MISSOULA- Early childhood advocates in Missoula want fingerprint background checks to be a requirement for everyone in Montana working in daycares. They hope this will prevent sex or violent offenders from being hired to provide child care.

Billings Catholic Schools' Early Education Program Back in the Black

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 18:49:05 PST

EXCERPT FROM: Billings Gazette
By Zach Benoit
The Billings Catholic Schools' early-childhood education program is operating in the black again after struggling for the past few years.

State Rolls Out New Standards for Childcare Providers

Mon, 03 Jan 2011 12:22:25 PST

EXCERPT FROM: Billings Gazette
By Rob Rogers
Montana wants to improve day care. Starting with the new year, a small group of Montana child care providers will pilot a new state program meant to enhance the quality of care that children receive in day care and preschool.

Foundations Rally for Cash for Early Child Care

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 17:50:44 PST

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.

Tax Credit May Help with Dependent and Child Care

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 14:39:41 PST

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.

Report: Montana Fails to Protect Children at In-Home Child Cares

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 18:45:28 PST

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.

Child Care Businesses Worry About Plan to Cancel Funding Boost as Costs Increase

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 08:27:43 PST

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.

State�s Child Care System Under Duress

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:58:10 PST

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.

Help Available for Missoula Students Who Need Childcare

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:05:00 PST

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.

Economy Hitting Missoula Parents, Childcare Providers

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 11:14:18 PST

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.

High Cost Forces Tough Choices for Parents

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 11:00:33 PST

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.

County Considers New Management for Child Care

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 13:23:13 PST

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

To Fuel The Economy, Invest in Our Kids

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 10:04:21 PST

Tough economic times make for tough decisions.

State near top in cost of child care

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 12:08:10 PST

Parents of college-age children rejoice: It costs less to send a 19-year-old to the University of Montana for a year than it does to put a 4-year-old in full-time day care.