A daycare license in Montana is issued by Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), Quality Assurance Division, which administers childcare licensing statewide. Providers must keep 7 documents on file for staff and children and meet 4 staff-to-child ratios by age group. Renewal: Annual license renewal required. The checklist below covers what belongs in each file and what has to stay current.
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Informational only — not legal advice, and not a statement of what Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), Quality Assurance Division requires today. GetDocsSigned is not affiliated with or endorsed by Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), Quality Assurance Division. Requirements change; confirm with your licensing representative before relying on anything on this page.
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See a ready-made enrollment packet →Montana childcare licensing is administered by the Quality Assurance Division within DPHHS. Facilities caring for 6 or more children must be licensed. Montana has lower population density than most states, and many rural areas are served by licensed family child care homes. SB 412 (2025) raised the unlicensed family child care threshold from 3 to 4 unrelated children.
| Age Group | Staff : Children |
|---|---|
| Infants (under 18 months) | 1:4 |
| Toddlers (18 months–3 years) | 1:6 |
| Preschool (3–5 years) | 1:10 |
| School age | 1:14 |
Ratios shown are a summary and have not yet been checked against Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), Quality Assurance Division's rule text. Confirm with the agency before relying on them. Source: Montana DPHHS Child Care Licensing
Enrollment Form
Complete enrollment with child information and emergency contacts.
Immunization Records
Current immunization records per Montana immunization schedule required on file.
Medical/Health Assessment
Physician-signed health report required for enrollment.
Emergency Contact Information
Names and phone numbers of emergency contacts and authorized pickup persons.
Emergency Medical Authorization
Parental consent for emergency medical care.
Allergy and Dietary Information
Documentation of any food allergies or special dietary needs.
Medication AuthorizationConditional
Written parental authorization for any medication to be administered.
GetDocsSigned tracks every one of these per file and flags what’s missing or expiring.
Start freeSummary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Montana DPHHS Child Care Licensing
Exemption Policy
Medical and religious exemptions are permitted. Contact the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services for current exemption procedures.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Montana DPHHS Child Care Licensing
Minimum Age
18 years
Background Check
State and federal criminal background check required for all staff and volunteers.
Lead Teacher Education
High school diploma or GED required. Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or relevant ECE coursework recommended.
Assistant Education
High school diploma or GED required. Pre-service training required.
CPR / First Aid
Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification required. At least one certified staff member on-site at all times.
Continuing Education
Annual professional development training required. Contact DPHHS for current hour requirements.
Director Qualifications
Director qualification requirements set by DPHHS Quality Assurance Division.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Montana DPHHS Child Care Licensing
Inspection Frequency
At least one unannounced inspection annually.
License Renewal
Annual license renewal required.
Application Process
Contact DPHHS Quality Assurance Division to begin the application process.
Licensing Fee
Varies by capacity. Contact DPHHS for current fee schedule.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Montana DPHHS Child Care Licensing
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Montana DPHHS Child Care Licensing
These are the pages this summary was checked against. The agency's published rules govern; where this page and the agency differ, the agency is right.
Ratios, required documents, and inspection schedules vary from state to state. If you operate near a border, run a second location, or are deciding where to open, start with the states in the Mountain West.
Daycare Enrollment Forms Checklist: Every Document You Need Per Child
The complete list of documents required per child, with state-specific variations.
How to Prepare for a Daycare Licensing Inspection
Step-by-step checklist covering child files, staff records, ratios, and facility safety.
Staff-to-Child Ratios by State: The Complete Comparison
Compare infant, toddler, and preschool ratio requirements across all 50 states.
Daycare Immunization Requirements by State
Required vaccines and exemption policies — medical only, religious, or philosophical.
One link. Parents complete child information, emergency contacts, pickup, immunizations, health details, and consents on their phone, and the finished packet lands in your account as a PDF. Free to start, no card.