How to start a home daycare in Montana.
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) oversees home daycares in Montana. These are the kinds it allows and the steps, each with the state's own page.
Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 4, 2026.
The kinds of home daycare Montana allows
Family home child care
3 to 8 children
No more than 3 may be under age 2.
Source: Become a Child Care ProviderGroup home child care
9 to 15 children
Two adults give care, with no more than 6 under age 2.
Source: Become a Child Care Provider
Starting a home daycare in Montana, step by step
Get help getting started
Your local SPARK Learning Lab or the state licensing team can help you get registered.
Source: Child Care LicensingApply online in MAQCS
Send your family or group home application online through the MAQCS system.
Source: Family and Group Application InformationFill out the application forms
Fill out forms such as an emergency plan, a floor plan and an insurance form.
Source: Family and Group Application InformationComplete FBI background checks
Child Care Licensing needs certain forms to complete an FBI background check.
Source: Child Care LicensingPass the pre-inspection
A pre-inspection happens before you start providing child care.
Source: New License/Registration Issue ProcessGet your registration certificate
State law requires a registration certificate before you run a family or group home.
Source: 52-2-721, MCA. License required -- registration required -- term of license or registration certificate
At a glance
- Who oversees home daycares
- Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), Child Care Licensing Program. Issues the registration certificate a family or group home needs.Source: 52-2-721, MCA. License required -- registration required -- term of license or registration certificate
- Your own children
- Count toward your total, as department rules setSource: 52-2-721, MCA. License required -- registration required -- term of license or registration certificate
- Your certificate
- Lists the ages and number of children you may care forSource: 52-2-721, MCA. License required -- registration required -- term of license or registration certificate
- Registration length
- Up to 3 yearsSource: 52-2-721, MCA. License required -- registration required -- term of license or registration certificate
- Inspections
- Licensing staff visit every yearSource: Become a Child Care Provider
Good to know
- Caring for 6 or fewer children at home? You need no registration if you take no state payments.Source: 52-2-721, MCA. License required -- registration required -- term of license or registration certificate
- Tribal members living on a reservation apply through their tribal government.Source: 52-2-722, MCA. Application for a license or registration certificate
Run a program in Montana? Bloomily handles enrollment, billing, check-in and family messages. See how it works
Plan your program
- How to start a daycare in Montana
Opening a child care center: the steps and the agency.
- Montana licensing guide
Ratios, trainings and the checklist the state asks for.
- Child care grants in Montana
Grants the state runs for providers.
- Daycare startup costs in Montana
Revenue, staff pay and rent from your own numbers.
- Daycare business plan
How to write a plan for funding and licensing.
- Tuition calculator
Typical rates by state and age group.
- Ratio calculator
Staff needed for each age group, by state.
Questions, answered
How do I start a home daycare in Montana?
The first step: Get help getting started. All 6 steps are on this page, each with the state's own link.
Who oversees home daycares in Montana?
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), Child Care Licensing Program. Issues the registration certificate a family or group home needs.
How many children can a home daycare in Montana care for?
Family home child care: 3 to 8 children. Group home child care: 9 to 15 children.
About this page
Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 4, 2026.
This page is a summary of the state's own pages. It is not legal advice, and rules change.
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