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Referral Program

Family Connections assists families in finding child care arrangements that provide a quality experience for both the child and the parent(s).

Parents looking for childcare are connected with providers through our referral service. Referred providers are registered or licensed through the state of Montana.

Types of Childcare Facilities in Montana:

Family Child Care 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 Child Care Homes are settings where two adults provide care for a maximum of 12 children including the provider’s 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.

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

Preschools are part-day programs and are not regulated in Montana.

Drop-in Child Cares are not regulated by the state of Montana because the care provided is usually irregular and for shorter periods of time.

Legally Unregistered Provider (LUP) is a special provider certification category that is used for child care scholarship purposes only. A Legally Unregistered Provider may care for no more than two unrelated children or all members in one 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 and 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 ensure vacancies within a facility. 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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