As the 2025 Montana Legislature begins, the focus turns to a significant debate surrounding the state’s child care system. Montana families and leaders face escalating challenges as child care costs surpass federal affordability limits, yet providers struggle with slim profit margins, inadequate staffing, and insufficient pay and benefits. Despite efforts to address these issues, stakeholders insist much work remains.
Montana has long relied on the Best Beginnings scholarship to help families afford child care, using state and federal funds to assist those below 185% of the federal poverty level. However, many advocates urge raising this to 85% of the state’s median income, aligning with federal caps, to extend aid to more families. Rep. Jonathan Karlen highlights the disparity with neighboring states like North and South Dakota, which offer higher eligibility thresholds.
Efforts to support child care workers are also underway, given the average wage of just under $13 an hour. Proposals target state-funded subsidies, tax credits, and expanded eligibility for Best Beginnings, aiming to improve accessibility and affordability. Montana’s executive director of Zero to Five, Caitlin Jensen, reports widespread voter concern over high child care costs, with the state estimating annual expenses for a child under five at nearly $19,000.
The Montana Budget and Policy Center suggests expanding Best Beginnings to all child care staff, regardless of income, to address worker affordability. Zero to Five Montana’s policy agenda echoes this recommendation, following input from public panels across the state. A draft bill has been requested to implement this change.
To strengthen workforce retention, Montana Advocates for Children proposes state funding similar to expired federal grants, which would conditionally boost provider payments to increase wages and benefits. “The child care crisis is really about the fact that we can’t recruit and retain workers in child care programs,” states coalition coordinator Grace Decker.
Legislators from both parties have submitted numerous bill requests to refine child care laws. Rep. Llew Jones seeks to create a state child care trust fund to foster new child care options. Meanwhile, Governor Greg Gianforte supports exploring regulatory adjustments, apprenticeships, and work-based learning to resolve workforce challenges. The governor’s spokesperson highlights potential changes like lowering the minimum age requirement for child care educators to increase access.
As legislators prioritize child care reform, advocates like Jensen remain hopeful that public pressure will ensure ongoing attention to these critical issues affecting families, workers, and businesses throughout Montana.
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