DPHHS Child Care Licensing Rules (ARM Title 37, Chapter 95) Compliant

Montana ChildcareLicensing Requirements

Stay compliant with Montana DPHHS Child Care Licensing Rules (ARM Title 37, Chapter 95) regulations. Bloomily helps Montana childcare centers manage staff ratios, certifications, and emergency drills — all in one platform.

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Staff-to-Child Ratios

Required ratios for Montana licensed childcare facilities

Age GroupStaff : ChildrenMax Group Size
Infants (0-12 months)
Under 12 months
1:412 children
Young Toddlers (12-24 months)
12–23 months; HB 422 raised from 4:1
1:612 children
Older Toddlers (24-36 months)
24–35 months; HB 422 raised from 6:1
1:816 children
Preschool (3-5 years)
3–5 years (36–71 months)
1:1020 children
School Age (5+ years)
6 years and older; HB 422 raised from 14:1; max=168 months (14 years)
1:2040 children

Bloomily automatically monitors staff-to-child ratios in real-time and alerts you when you're approaching limits.

Required Certifications

Certifications required for Montana childcare staff

Annual Training (Montana)

Montana requires minimum 16 clock hours annual professional development

Renew annuallyDocument required

Child Abuse/Neglect Registry Check (Montana)

Montana DPHHS child abuse and neglect registry check required

Renew every 5 yearsDocument required

Criminal Background Check (Montana)

Montana Department of Justice criminal background check and FBI fingerprint check required

Renew every 5 yearsDocument required

Director Qualifications (Montana)

Director qualifications per ARM 37.95.162 including education and experience requirements

Document required

First Aid (Montana)

Pediatric first aid certification required

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Food Handler Certification (Montana)

Food safety training for staff preparing food

Renew every 3 yearsDocument required

Lead Caregiver Qualifications (Montana)

Lead caregiver qualifications per ARM 37.95.166

Document required

Mandated Reporter Training

California mandated reporter training for child abuse

Document required

Mandatory Reporter Training (Montana)

Montana mandatory reporter training on recognizing and reporting child abuse and neglect

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Orientation Training (Montana)

Initial orientation training within first 90 days of employment

Document required

Pediatric CPR (Montana)

Infant and child CPR certification required for all caregivers

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Safe Sleep Training (Montana)

Safe sleep training required for infant caregivers

Renew every 5 yearsDocument required

Bloomily tracks certification expiration dates and sends automated renewal reminders before they lapse.

Emergency Drill Requirements

Required safety drills for Montana childcare facilities

Required Drills

Fire Drill

Monthly

8 fire drills per year (approximately monthly). Records must include conductor, date/time, adult+child headcount, evacuation time, and corrective actions.

Ref: ARM 37.95.124 (CHILD CARE FACILITIES: EMERGENCY DISASTER AND ACTION PLANS)

Other

Twice per year

2 non-fire disaster drills per year for hazards likely at the facility (e.g., shelter-in-place, lockdown, severe weather, flood). Facility selects types based on local hazards. Emergency plan must include shelter-in-place and lockdown procedures.

Ref: ARM 37.95.124 (CHILD CARE FACILITIES: EMERGENCY DISASTER AND ACTION PLANS)

Bloomily automatically schedules drills and tracks completion to ensure you never miss a requirement.

Pre-Inspection Checklist

50 items based on Montana DPHHS Child Care Licensing Rules (ARM Title 37, Chapter 95) requirements

Licensing(10)Staff(12)Records(8)Health(10)Emergency(6)Operations(4)

Current DPHHS license posted and visible

Ref: ARM 37.95.106

Licensing

License capacity and age groups displayed

Ref: ARM 37.95.106

Licensing

Liability insurance current and on file

Ref: ARM 37.95.121

Licensing

Parent handbook available with policies

Ref: ARM 37.95.102

Licensing

Attendance records maintained daily

Ref: ARM 37.95.606

Licensing

Incident/accident reports documented

Ref: ARM 37.95.702

Licensing

Complaint procedures posted

Ref: ARM 37.95.102

Licensing

Emergency procedures posted in each room

Ref: ARM 37.95.702

Licensing

Operating hours posted

Ref: ARM 37.95.106

Licensing

Fee schedule available to parents

Ref: ARM 37.95.102

Licensing

All staff have current background checks (MT and FBI)

Ref: ARM 37.95.145

Staff

Child abuse/neglect registry checks completed

Ref: ARM 37.95.145

Staff

Director meets qualification requirements

Ref: ARM 37.95.162

Staff

Lead caregivers meet qualification requirements

Ref: ARM 37.95.166

Staff

All staff have current pediatric CPR certification

Ref: ARM 37.95.183

Staff

All staff have current first aid certification

Ref: ARM 37.95.183

Staff

Annual training hours documented (16 hours minimum)

Ref: ARM 37.95.183

Staff

Mandatory reporter training current

Ref: ARM 37.95.183

Staff

Safe sleep training for infant caregivers

Ref: ARM 37.95.183

Staff

Staff files contain required documentation

Ref: ARM 37.95.145

Staff

Staff orientation completed within 90 days

Ref: ARM 37.95.183

Staff

Food handler training current (food prep staff)

Ref: ARM 37.95.645

Staff

Enrollment forms complete for each child

Ref: ARM 37.95.606

Records

Emergency contact information current

Ref: ARM 37.95.606

Records

Immunization records current (or valid exemption)

Ref: ARM 37.114.701

Records

Health information on file for each child

Ref: ARM 37.95.606

Records

Allergy and special needs documented

Ref: ARM 37.95.606

Records

Authorized pickup persons documented

Ref: ARM 37.95.606

Records

Medication authorization forms complete

Ref: ARM 37.95.641

Records

Field trip/transportation permission on file

Ref: ARM 37.95.623

Records

First aid kits stocked and accessible

Ref: ARM 37.95.641

Health

Medications stored properly (locked)

Ref: ARM 37.95.641

Health

Cleaning and sanitizing procedures followed

Ref: ARM 37.95.639

Health

Handwashing procedures posted

Ref: ARM 37.95.639

Health

Diapering and toileting procedures followed

Ref: ARM 37.95.639

Health

Safe sleep practices followed for infants

Ref: ARM 37.95.661

Health

Food handling and safety requirements met

Ref: ARM 37.95.645

Health

Hazardous materials stored safely

Ref: ARM 37.95.512

Health

Tobacco, alcohol, and weapons prohibited

Ref: ARM 37.95.512

Health

Water temperature safe (120°F max)

Ref: ARM 37.95.512

Health

Fire drill records current (monthly)

Ref: ARM 37.95.702

Emergency

Severe weather drill records current (quarterly)

Ref: ARM 37.95.702

Emergency

Earthquake drill records current (semi-annual)

Ref: ARM 37.95.702

Emergency

Lockdown drill records current (semi-annual)

Ref: ARM 37.95.702

Emergency

Emergency evacuation plan posted and current

Ref: ARM 37.95.702

Emergency

Fire extinguishers inspected and accessible

Ref: ARM 37.95.702

Emergency

Indoor space meets 35 sq ft per child requirement

Ref: ARM 37.95.506

Operations

Outdoor play area safe and enclosed

Ref: ARM 37.95.518

Operations

Staff-to-child ratios maintained at all times

Ref: ARM 37.95.622

Operations

STARS quality rating posted (if participating)

Ref: STARS MT

Operations

Track your Montana compliance digitally

Bloomily keeps your checklist updated, tracks staff certifications, and alerts you before items expire.

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Montana compliance and operations resources

Health and safety featuresTrack incidents, medication, immunizations, and safety workflows.Ratio calculatorCalculate staff-to-child ratios for your classrooms.Attendance softwareMonitor rosters, ratios, check-in, and pickup in real time.Daycare management softwareRun compliance, attendance, billing, and parent communication together.Daily reports guideImprove parent communication with consistent daily reports.Meal tracking guidePlan meal records, parent updates, and billing connections.

Nearby State Requirements

IdahoNorth DakotaSouth DakotaWyoming

Requirements vary by state. Click to view specific licensing requirements.

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Ready to simplify Montana compliance?

Join childcare centers across Montana that use Bloomily to stay compliant and save hours every week.

Real-time staff-to-child ratio monitoring
Automated certification expiration alerts
Pre-inspection checklist management
Emergency drill scheduling and tracking
Digital parent communication
Mobile check-in/check-out kiosks

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