Resources for early childhood eductors

Explore and connect to local and state-wide resources.

Explore ECE Resources

At BELN, we understand the vital role early childhood educators play in shaping our community. As a nonprofit dedicated to your success, we offer hands-on support and connections to trusted resources. Whether you need training, tools, or community partnerships, we’re here every step of the way because your work matters.

Resources for early childhood educators

Ravalli child care portal

The Ravalli Child Care Portal is available exclusively to licensed child care providers in Ravalli County. It’s a simple, no-cost way to help fill your openings faster by connecting you directly with families actively seeking care. Instead of managing multiple waitlists, you’ll get access to a centralized system that matches families to your availability in real time.

child care resources

Located in Missoula, providing practical tools to enhance program quality and support child development, including housing the Best Beginnings Scholarship and access to child care training resources.

zero to five montana

Working collaboratively with communities, tribes, policymakers, employers, parents and others, Zero to Five Montana promotes a nonpartisan agenda to advance early childhood policy strategies through innovative approaches and sustainable solutions.

SPark

SPARK Montana is a free, statewide resource for early childhood professionals, offering coaching, training, and support to improve quality and better serve families. Providers benefit from a three-tiered approach to quality, personalized technical assistance and help desk support, a 24/7 resource hub, and workforce fingerprinting services.

Child care training

Child Care Training offers in-person sessions and 100+ virtual courses for the early childhood workforce, along with statewide CPR/First Aid training. Providers can connect with Professional Development Specialists, access additional training resources, and complete required child care licensing training.

Montana Early Childhood project

The Montana Early Childhood Project supports the workforce through the Practitioner Registry and Training Calendar, incentive programs (including Pre-Apprenticeship, Apprenticeship, and Professional Development Awards), and technical assistance for the training approval system. It also supports Professional Development Specialists and the Montana Early Childhood Higher Education Consortium.

MT Association for the Education of Young Children

MTAEYC supports early childhood professionals and quality services through education, advocacy, and networking as a dues-paying professional organization.

child and adult care food program

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federally funded program of the Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The CACFP provides cash reimbursements for meals served to enrolled participants that meet Federal nutritional guidelines outlined in the CACFP meal pattern.

Montana child care business connect

Montana Child Care Business Connect (MCCBC) supports early child care businesses across Montana by strengthening stability and sustainability. MCCBC offers business advising, training, mentorship, shared services, and technical support to help providers run strong, sustainable programs.

Raise montana

RAISE MT advocates for the early childhood system and the families it serves, leads projects supporting early childhood professionals (including the MT Trauma-Informed Early Childhood Advisory Coalition), and educates policymakers, businesses, and the public on key early childhood issues.

Providing Care In montana

Welcome providers. Building and running a child care business is a big undertaking. Between health and safety standards, best business practices, enrollment, and finances, it can feel overwhelming. That's where the State office of child care comes in. We have the resources, programs and information you need to make caring for children more approachable.

Montana Quality Recognition System

Montana’s Quality Recognition System (QRS) is a voluntary program that supports child care quality through standards, resources, and incentives. Currently in a redesign phase, QRS is not accepting new applications. The updated system is expected to relaunch on October 1, 2026.

Montana Early Learning Standards

The Montana Early Learning Standards reflects the passionate, engaged, and effective collaboration of early childhood experts and leaders from across the state representing a variety of interests, knowledge, and experience in the care and education of young children.

Montana Milestones Part C Early Intervention Program

Montana Milestones/Part C of the IDEA Early Intervention Program is Montana’s comprehensive system of early intervention services and supports for families who have infants or toddlers, from birth through three who have significant developmental delays or disabilities or have been diagnosed with an established condition associated with significant delays in development.

The Pyramid Model

The Pyramid Model is a framework of evidence-based practices for promoting young children’s social and emotional development.

Montana Early Childhood Career Workbook

This workbook, created by the Early Childhood Project and partners, is designed to help you explore career options, answer questions, and connect with resources. Whether you’re just starting or advancing your career, this guide supports your journey.

The Montana Family Child Care Network

The Montana Family Child Care Network is a collaboration of early childhood stakeholders representing family child care educators. It advocates with a united voice for children, families, and providers, promoting high-quality family child care and early education through professional development, mentoring, and advocacy.