Last updated: June 17, 2026
Bottom line
Montana’s main child care help program is the Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship. It can help pay an approved provider while you work, attend school or training, take part in TANF work activities, or meet another approved rule. Most families still have a monthly copay, and some providers may charge more than the state payment rate.
The fastest starting point is the state’s Okta portal, which gives access to MAQCS, Montana’s child care scholarship system. If the portal is hard to use, contact the child care agency that serves your county. Montana says your online application goes to the agency based on where you live.
This guide focuses on child care. For wider benefit help, use ASMOM’s Montana help guide and national child care help guide.
Urgent help if child care is about to fall apart
If you may lose your job, miss school, miss a TANF activity, or leave a child in an unsafe situation because child care fell through, do not wait for a perfect plan.
- Call your regional child care agency and say you need help with a Best Beginnings application, provider search, provider change, or portal problem.
- Search or call Montana 211 for local help with food, diapers, shelter, transportation, crisis resources, and backup referrals.
- If you are facing eviction or a shutoff, also check ASMOM’s Montana housing help and utility help guide.
- If you or your children are in immediate danger, call 911. If abuse or stalking is part of the problem, contact a local advocate before sharing child care plans that could make you less safe.
Where to start
If you already have care
Ask the provider if they accept Best Beginnings and what you would owe each month after the state payment and your copay. Then apply through the portal.
If you need care
Call your child care agency and ask for referrals that match your hours, child’s age, location, and whether the provider accepts the scholarship.
If you work nights
Ask about Family, Friend, and Neighbor care or Relative Care Exempt care. Do not assume a relative can be paid until the provider is approved.
If you are in school
Ask how your class schedule affects your authorization. School and training rules can be different for full-time and part-time students.
Quick reference for Montana child care help
| Need | Best first step | Reality check |
|---|---|---|
| Help paying for care | Apply for Best Beginnings. | You may have a copay, and providers may charge more than the state pays. |
| Portal help | Use the MAQCS contacts page. | New applications and renewals use Okta and MAQCS. |
| Provider search | Contact your child care agency. | Openings can be tight for infants, rural areas, and nontraditional hours. |
| Free early learning | Use the Head Start locator. | Head Start may not cover your full work schedule. |
| Food, cash, Medicaid, LIHEAP | Use Apply.mt.gov. | These supports may free up money for child care costs. |
Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship
Best Beginnings helps eligible Montana families pay for child care so parents can work, attend school or training, or complete approved TANF activities. Montana’s child care page says families earning less than 185% of the federal poverty level with children in licensed care, including centers, family homes, and Family, Friend, and Neighbor care, may be eligible.
Single-parent families generally must work at least 60 hours per month unless a different full-time school, part-time school, teen parent, or TANF rule applies. Teen parents must attend high school or a high school equivalency program. TANF families may be eligible while participating in their Family Investment Agreement. If you are not sure which rule fits, ask the child care agency to screen you.
Eligible care can include licensed centers, registered family or group homes, approved Family, Friend, and Neighbor care, and Relative Care Exempt care. The provider must be approved for scholarship payment. Do not start care with a new provider assuming the state will pay until the agency confirms the authorization.
Important 2026 portal change
Montana’s February 2026 parent letter says the Best Beginnings Parent Portal is available through Okta and that all applications, renewals, and proof of residency, income, and identity must be uploaded directly to the portal. The letter also says paper documents are no longer accepted for new applications and renewals. If you cannot upload documents, contact your child care agency or MAQCS support before mailing anything.
Child support and safety
Montana says non-TANF households must cooperate with Child Support Enforcement or have an approved reason not to. If contacting the other parent could put you or your child at risk, ask about good cause. The good-cause form says you can request an exemption at any time you believe you should have one, and it lists safety-related reasons that may qualify. For broader planning, read ASMOM’s domestic violence guide and child support guide.
Income limits, copays, and what you may owe
Montana uses a sliding fee scale. The posted scale says the monthly copay is based on gross monthly income, and the copay is the assigned percentage of income or $10, whichever is greater. The scale marked effective July 1, 2025 was the current posted scale found for this review.
| Family size | Monthly gross income at max entry | Copay shown at max entry |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | $3,261 | $228 |
| 3 | $4,109 | $288 |
| 4 | $4,956 | $347 |
| 5 | $5,804 | $406 |
| 6 | $6,652 | $466 |
| 7 | $7,500 | $525 |
| 8 | $8,348 | $584 |
These numbers are not a promise of approval. Your agency must review household size, income, activity hours, provider details, child support rules, and other facts. If your income is close to the limit, apply or ask the agency to screen you.
Provider rates and extra charges
Montana also posts maximum monthly provider rates. The full-time monthly child care center rates are $1,276 for infant or toddler care, $1,210 for preschool care, and $1,100 for school-age care. Rates are different for group homes, family homes, FFN care, Relative Care Exempt care, and school-age providers.
If your provider charges more than the amount Montana pays, you may owe the difference plus your copay. Before you enroll, ask the provider for your expected monthly total in writing.
How to find child care that may work
Montana’s child care agencies can help families apply for Best Beginnings, determine scholarship eligibility, and refer families to licensed and registered care. They can help you search by openings, location, provider type, quality, infant and toddler care, special needs, and extended or nontraditional hours.
| Agency | Main phone | Counties listed by Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Child Care Resources | 406-728-6446 or 800-728-6446 | Western and parts of south-central Montana, including Missoula, Flathead, Gallatin, Lewis & Clark, Ravalli, Silver Bow, and more. |
| Family Connections | 406-761-6010 or 800-696-4503 | Central, northern, eastern, and Yellowstone-area counties, including Cascade, Yellowstone, Big Horn, Hill, Roosevelt, Richland, and more. |
Use the state find child care page to check licensing basics, inspection reports, and safety questions. When you call a provider, ask whether they are licensed or registered, whether they accept Best Beginnings, and whether they have openings for your child’s age.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Starting care too soon. Wait until the provider is approved and the authorization is clear.
- Assuming a relative can be paid. FFN or Relative Care Exempt care must be approved first.
- Missing portal notices. Watch MAQCS messages and ask for help if you cannot log in.
- Forgetting changes. Montana’s 2026 letter says changes to income, address, or work status must be reported within 10 calendar days through the portal.
- Not checking extra charges. Ask if the provider charges above the state rate.
Head Start and Early Head Start
Head Start and Early Head Start may help with early learning, meals, health screenings, and family support for eligible children. It is not the same as a child care scholarship, and many programs have limited hours, but it can be a strong option for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.
Use the Head Start locator and ask the local program whether it has full-day services, waitlists, transportation, or partnerships with Best Beginnings for wraparound care. ASMOM’s Head Start guide explains what to ask before applying.
Documents to gather before you apply
Missing proof is one of the most common reasons a child care case slows down. The portal may ask you to upload clear photos or files. ASMOM’s documents checklist can help you make one folder.
| Document or information | Why it matters | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Photo ID | Confirms who is applying. | Use clear photos if uploading. |
| Montana address | Shows Montana residency. | Use a lease, utility bill, or current proof. |
| Child’s age and relationship | Shows the child lives with you and may qualify. | Birth certificate or guardianship proof may be requested. |
| Income proof | Used to calculate eligibility and copay. | Upload recent proof and explain irregular hours. |
| Work or school schedule | Used to set the child care authorization. | Ask your employer or school for written verification. |
| Provider name and schedule | Needed to set up payment. | Confirm the provider accepts Best Beginnings first. |
| Child support or good cause | May be required for non-TANF households with an absent parent. | Ask about good cause if cooperation could be unsafe. |
If you are denied, delayed, or confused
Ask for the reason in writing. A denial may be about income, missing proof, work or school hours, child support rules, provider status, or funding. Do not rely only on a phone explanation.
Montana’s fair hearing policy says parents and providers may be entitled to a fair hearing after certain adverse actions, but there may be limits if the denial or closure is based only on lack of CCDF funding. The policy says parents have 90 calendar days from the mailing date of an adverse action notice to request a hearing. If you disagree with a decision, read the notice right away and ask how to request a hearing.
For help understanding hearing rights, use Montana Lawhelp. ASMOM’s benefits problem guide can help you organize notices, dates, screenshots, and call notes.
Keep a simple case log
Write down the date you applied, what you uploaded, who you spoke with, what they said, and your next deadline. Save screenshots from the portal. If you talk by phone, ask for the worker’s name and the best way to send missing proof.
Backup options if Best Beginnings is not enough
Child care help often works best when paired with other support. These programs may not pay your child care bill directly, but they can reduce pressure on the rest of your budget.
- TANF: If you receive TANF, Best Beginnings may cover child care while you take part in your Family Investment Agreement. Start with Montana TANF or ASMOM’s TANF guide.
- SNAP, Medicaid, LIHEAP: Use Apply.mt.gov or call the Montana Public Assistance Helpline. The public assistance page lists contact options.
- WIC: Pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding parents, infants, and children under 5 may qualify. The Montana WIC eligibility page explains who can apply. ASMOM also has a WIC guide.
- Tribal child care: If you are connected to a Tribal community, ask your Tribal CCDF program about child care help. ACF keeps a national Tribal CCDF list.
- Child care workers: If you work directly with children in a licensed or registered facility, ask about the Montana Bright Futures Child Care Worker Scholarship and review the state worker scholarship packet.
- Work and school: Ask Job Service, your college, or a training program about child care, transportation, or emergency grants. ASMOM’s Pell guide can help with school aid.
- Baby supplies: If child care costs are squeezing diapers, formula, or clothes, use ASMOM’s baby supplies guide.
Phone scripts
Call the child care agency
Hello, my name is ____. I live in ____ County. I need child care so I can work or attend school. Can you tell me which Best Beginnings steps I need to complete, what documents are missing, and whether you can help me find a provider that accepts the scholarship?
Call a provider
Hello, I am looking for care for a child age ____. Do you have openings for the days and hours ____? Do you accept Best Beginnings? If yes, what would I owe each month after the scholarship and copay?
Call about a delayed case
Hello, I applied for Best Beginnings on ____. I uploaded ____ on ____. Can you check whether my case is complete? If something is missing, can you tell me exactly what to upload and the deadline?
Call after a denial
Hello, I received a notice denying or closing my child care scholarship. I need the reason in writing and information on how to request a fair hearing. Can you also tell me whether there is anything I can submit now to fix the case?
Resumen en español
En Montana, el programa principal para ayudar a pagar el cuidado infantil se llama Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship. Muchas familias deben solicitar por Okta y MAQCS, y subir documentos como identificación, dirección, ingresos, horario de trabajo o escuela, e información del proveedor.
Si necesita ayuda, llame a la agencia de cuidado infantil que sirve a su condado. Pregunte si el proveedor acepta Best Beginnings, cuánto pagará usted cada mes, y qué documentos faltan. Si necesita ayuda urgente con comida, pañales, vivienda o transporte, llame al 2-1-1.
Questions single mothers ask about Montana child care help
Can Best Beginnings pay for all of my child care?
Sometimes it covers a large part of the cost, but many families still pay a monthly copay. You may also owe the difference if your provider charges more than the state payment rate.
Can I get help if I am in school?
Yes, school or training can count, but the exact rule depends on your situation. Full-time students may be treated differently from part-time students, so ask your child care agency before assuming your hours qualify.
Can a relative be paid to watch my child?
Possibly. Montana may allow approved Family, Friend, and Neighbor care or Relative Care Exempt care. The provider must be approved before payment can be made.
What if I cannot use the online portal?
Contact your child care agency or MAQCS support. Montana moved Best Beginnings into the Okta and MAQCS portal, so ask for help before mailing or dropping off documents.
What should I do if my application is denied?
Ask for the denial reason in writing. Check whether the problem is missing proof, income, activity hours, provider approval, child support rules, or funding. If you disagree, ask about the fair hearing deadline right away.
Review dates
Last updated: June 17, 2026. Next review: September 17, 2026.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified June 17, 2026, next review September 17, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.