Children’s safety and well-being are our top priority! We follow strict health protocols, maintain secure, baby-proofed spaces, and keep doors locked at all times. Children are closely supervised at all times by our trained staff, who are certified in first aid and emergency response. We also conduct monthly emergency drills, and each child has a ready-to-go emergency bag for added preparedness.
Supporting Our Youngest Learners
At Evergreen Saplings, children are welcomed into a nurturing early learning community space where curiosity, connection, and care guide each day.
We believe young children learn best through relationships, exploration, play, and time in nature. Our educators create calm, engaging environments where children feel safe, valued, and encouraged to grow at their own pace.
Families are an essential part of our community, and we strive to build strong partnerships rooted in communication, trust, and support.
What Families Can Expect:
- Small group sizes and individualized attention
- Caring, experienced educators
- Daily outdoor exploration and play
- Nutritious meals and snacks included
- Strong communication with families
- A calm, welcoming learning environment
- Support for the whole child and family
The Evergreen Experience
At Evergreen Saplings, we care for the whole child — socially, emotionally, physically, and cognitively.
Children are encouraged to explore, ask questions, build confidence, and develop meaningful relationships through play, creativity, movement, and outdoor experiences. Our educators thoughtfully support each child’s individual development while creating a warm and responsive environment where children feel secure, capable, and connected.
We value gentle guidance, hands-on learning, and meaningful daily rhythms that help children build confidence and independence over time.
Families receive ongoing communication and partnership from a team that truly values getting to know each child as a unique person.
Our Educational Approach & Standards
At Evergreen Saplings, our programs follow a place-based, child-centered approach grounded in nationally recognized early childhood frameworks and best practices. We intentionally design learning experiences that support the whole child — emotionally, socially, physically, and cognitively — while staying connected to nature, community, and meaningful real-world exploration.
Our approach is guided by:
Together, these frameworks guide how we teach, care for, and support children each day. They help us create an environment where children feel safe, supported, and inspired to learn through exploration and relationships.
We invite you to join us in fostering a foundation for a lifetime of learning and discovery.
The Learning Environment
Our classrooms are designed to feel calm, welcoming, and engaging for young children. Each day includes opportunities for:
- Creative play and exploration
- Outdoor learning and nature experiences
- Early literacy and language development
- Music, movement, and art
- Social-emotional learning
- Rest, routine, and connection
We believe children thrive when they feel safe, supported, and free to explore the world around them.
Our Place-Based Approach
We prioritize play as the natural way children learn, combined with a place-based, child-centered approach to education. In uninterrupted blocks of play, children develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and social-emotional skills in a rich, engaging environment that encourages exploration, experimentation, and hands-on learning.
Our learning is rooted in place-based education, with outdoor experiences woven into the daily routine. Children spend meaningful time outside in the Bitterroot Valley, where fresh air, natural light, and sensory-rich environments support regulation, curiosity, and early connections to the natural world.
Meals & Snacks
Children receive nourishing meals and snacks throughout the day, prepared under the guidance of our dedicated on-site Health & Nutrition Coordinator. All meals and snacks are included in tuition. Mealtimes are an important part of our daily rhythm and provide opportunities for connection, independence, and healthy habits. Hands-on cooking with locally sourced ingredients helps children build healthy eating skills while supporting our community.
We thoughtfully accommodate allergies and dietary needs whenever possible. Evergreen Saplings also participates in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), a federally supported program that helps ensure children receive healthy, balanced meals while in care.
Family Support
Families are not expected to navigate the early years alone.
As part of BELN’s broader family support network, Evergreen Saplings can help connect families with parenting resources, developmental support, community programs, referrals, and additional services when needed.
We believe caring for children also means supporting the well-being of families.
Tuition covers more than daily care it includes family support, therapy options, workshops, and individualized learning experiences for you and your child.
Tuition
At Evergreen Saplings, we believe high-quality early learning should be accessible to families in our community. We proudly accept the Montana Best Beginnings Scholarship, a state government child care assistance program that helps eligible working families cover the cost of care. Many families qualify, and we are happy to help you explore available tuition support options.
Our tuition is structured to support both transparency and consistency for families. The total annual tuition is divided into equal monthly payments, and tuition remains the same each month regardless of attendance or scheduled closures. This includes breaks for holidays, professional development days, annual maintenance requirements, and other planned non-operational days.
Our program year runs from September through August, and we clearly communicate this full annual enrollment period to families.
Our tuition supports a rich, nurturing early learning experience designed to help every child thrive.
Tuition Information
- 2 days: $728/month
- 4 days: $1,334/month
- 2 days: $445/month
- 4 days: $710/month
- 2 days: $700/month
- 4 days: $1,176/month
What Makes Evergreen Saplings Unique?
Low Teacher Ratio
Small class sizes allow for meaningful connections, individualized attention, and responsive care that supports each child’s development.
Hands-On Food Program
Children participate in cooking experiences using locally sourced ingredients, helping them build healthy eating habits while supporting our local community.
Qualified Educators
Our teachers meet all state licensing requirements, including CPR/First Aid certification and background checks, and complete an average of 75 hours of professional development annually.
Family & Child Support Services
Tuition includes more than daily care — families have access to workshops, individualized learning support, and resources designed to support the whole child and family.
Our Community Partners
Our evergreen Saplings Team
Cassidy, Lead Teacher
Riley, Assistant Teacher
Taylor, MS, RD, Health & Nutrition Coordinator
Denise, Temporary Health & Nutrition Coordinator
See why families love Evergreen Saplings!
Testimonials
Frequently Asked Questions
To enroll your child, visit our profile on the Ravalli County Child Care Portal and schedule a tour of the school. After completing an enrollment application, a member of our team will contact you with next steps.
We welcome children from 6 months to 3 years old, with programs specifically designed for infants (6-18 months) and toddlers (2-3 years).
We intentionally keep our program small so children receive responsive care, individual attention, and meaningful relationships with educators.
Evergreen Saplings will serve no more than 15 children each day, supported by three teachers and a cross-trained Health & Nutrition Coordinator, all while meeting Montana state licensing requirements.
Evergreen Saplings reflects BELN’s commitment to quality and workforce support, providing educators with professional development, and best-practice guidance. We know high-quality care depends on supported, valued educators, and Saplings serves as a model for programs designed with both children and teachers in mind.
Our program follows state and national standards, using developmentally appropriate, relationship-based, and trauma-informed care to support children’s well-being. We conduct the ASQ assessment followed by the HELP assessment to ensure each child is progressing to their next stage of development. These assessments are done in partnership with families so we can align our efforts to best support each child’s learning.
Parents are always welcome! Our open-door policy encourages family involvement just message us in advance so children aren’t surprised by schedule changes.
We’ve got you covered! We recently received a grant from the Rapp Family Foundation to provide us with heavy duty snow gear, new boots, alpaca wool socks, and a glove and boot warmer that allows us to go out multiple times a day with warm fingers and toes!
Your Child's Journey Starts Here
Choosing care for your child is one of the most important decisions a family can make.
At Evergreen Saplings, we are committed to creating a place where children feel safe, supported, curious, and deeply cared for and where families feel welcomed, respected, and connected.
We look forward to growing alongside your family.
