Missoula’s expanded free preschool programs have lessened the demand for child care for this age group, impacting some providers financially. Despite this, overall child care demand remains high, with Missoula County needing thousands more openings according to state data on child population and provider capacity. Larger child care centers, which often rely on older children to subsidize the cost of infant and toddler care, are feeling the strain. Grace Decker, coordinator for Montana Advocates for Children, noted, “When there’s a free opportunity in the community for 4-year-olds, parents will choose it.”
Missoula County Public Schools began offering early kindergarten in 2019, expanding from two to five classrooms by 2023. In that year, state lawmakers passed legislation allowing districts to enroll eligible 4-year-olds in early literacy programs. This legislative change in 2024 funding prompted the Missoula school district to add more early literacy classrooms, now serving around 150 children. The city’s Parks and Recreation Department has also expanded afterschool programs, altering child care needs for older children, though statewide data on such programs is lacking.
The shift in 4-year-old enrollment primarily impacts larger daycare centers with 16 or more children, while home-based programs using a mixed-age model are more adaptable. Fort Courage Child Care, a Missoula nonprofit, experienced a decrease in preschool-age children, challenging its financial model. Executive Director Stephanie Brunner stated the daycare serves children aged 6 weeks to 6 years and may need to advertise open spots, increase prices, or cut staff hours if necessary. Fort Courage offers more flexible attendance options, allowing children to move into preschool classes at age 3.
Heather Foster, CEO of the Missoula Family YMCA, sees the early literacy programs as beneficial yet acknowledges the shift in enrollment at large centers. The YMCA is fortunate to have diverse revenue streams to support its daycare, unlike others. Due to changing demand, the developer of the Scott Street-Ravara housing project sought removal of a daycare requirement, initially approved by the Missoula City Council but reconsidered by Mayor Andrea Davis after council concerns.
John Adams, the city’s strategic projects administrator, explained the developer’s unsuccessful efforts to attract daycare providers to the site, deeming it economically unfeasible. The YMCA had discussed operating the space but, after opening a new center, couldn’t take on another location. Finding affordable daycare continues to be a challenge, and Foster stresses the necessity of community and government investment to support child care. As demand shifts, creative solutions like shared locations or subsidized rent for providers could be explored to bolster the child care system.
—
Read More Montana News
