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Referral Program

Family Connections works with parents to assist them in finding arrangements that provide a quality experience for both the child and the parent. We assist parents who are seeking childcare for their children when the parents are working, seeking work, or attending school.

Parents looking for childcare are connected with providers through our referral service. All these providers are registered or licensed through the State of Montana.

Types of Childcare Facilities in Montana:

Family Childcare Homes offer a home-like atmosphere with a ratio of one caregiver to a maximum of six children including the provider’s own under the age of six. The provider is required to be registered with the State of Montana.

Group Childcare Homes are settings where two adults provide care for a maximum of 12 children including the providers’ own under the age of six. Care is often provided in a private home. The providers are required to be registered with the State of Montana.

Childcare Centers care for 13 or more children with hours that normally coincide with regular working hours. Centers are required to be licensed.

Pre-Schools are part-day programs and are not regulated in Montana.

Legally Unregistered Provider (LUP) is a special provider certification category that is used for state payment purposes only. A Legally Unregistered Provider may care for no more than two unrelated children or any member in a sibling group.

What happens when a parent contacts the Family Connections Referral Program?

A referral counselor discusses with the parent his or her childcare needs, then refers the parent to programs that most closely meet those needs. Family Connections does not recommend one program or provider over another, nor do we place children. Each parent knows what is best for his/her child, and he or she should make the decisions regarding the child’s care.

Before contacting our Referral Program, please fill out the Childcare Needs Form.

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Licensing and registration does not guarantee a quality program. All parents are encouraged to visit programs prior to enrolling a child.
This project is funded (in part) under a contract with the MT Department of Health and Human Services. The statements herein do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Department.