Montana Best Beginnings Childcare Scholarships

The Early Childhood Services Bureau offers “Best Beginnings” childcare scholarships to qualified low-income families whose child attends a licensed childcare center, registered group or family childcare home, or legally unregistered childcare provider. Each family participates in the cost of that care by making a co-payment based on a sliding fee scale.

Scholarships are available to working families whose income is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines and families who get cash assistance through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.

Childcare Scholarship Program

Contact your local Childcare Resource and Referral Agency for further information and to apply.
The program helps to pay for care when parents are not available to care for their children:

• During working hours;
• During school or training hours, if meeting work requirements;
• If they are a teen parent attending high school; or
• If they are a parent receiving TANF who is participating in family investment agreement activities.

Childcare scholarships are available if the applicant is a working caretaker relative with children receiving TANF child-only grants. 

Best Beginnings Scholarship Packet Application Packet
Best Beginnings Scholarship Brochure
Childcare Policy Manual
Eligibility Criteri For Montana’s Best Beginnings Childcare Scholarships
Legally Certified Provider (formally known as LUP/LUI)
Market Rates For State of Montana
Montana Childcare Sliding Fee Scale