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Licensed Daycare in Missoula, Montana

Q: What's the average daycare cost in Missoula?

Statewide averages in Montana run roughly $920/month for infants and $720/month for preschool. City-specific costs vary — large metros and dense neighborhoods trend higher than rural ZIPs. Use the cost estimator for a closer ballpark.

Q: What staff-to-child ratios apply in Missoula daycares?

All licensed Montana centers must meet the state minimum: 1:4 for infants, 1:8 for toddlers, and 1:10 for preschool. NAEYC-accredited centers in Missoula typically operate below these ceilings.

Q: Are subsidies available for daycare in Missoula?

Montana families can apply for Montana Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship (intake: (406) 444-5900). Federal options like the Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit and a Dependent Care FSA stack on top. See our subsidies guide .

Every listing here has a current license on file with the state. Use the filters to narrow by age group or program type.

Licensed Centers

Infant Spots

$920/mo

Montana avg infant

1:4

State infant ratio

Childcare costs in Missoula

ChildCare Aware reports the Montana average full-time cost at $920/month for infant care and $720/month for preschool. City-level prices in Missoula vary by ZIP code and program model — Head Start sites are free for eligible families, family daycare homes typically run 10-30% below center rates, and accredited centers run above the average.

The Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit and a Dependent Care FSA ($5,000 max) reduce effective cost regardless of program. Montana families may also qualify for Montana Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship (intake: (406) 444-5900).

Full Montana licensing & cost overview

Quick facts

State regulator: Montana DPHHS — Early Childhood and Family Support Division
Infant ratio: 1:4
Toddler ratio: 1:8
Preschool ratio: 1:10
Avg capacity: 53 kids

ZIP codes covered

59802 4 59801 4 59804 2 59803 2

Program types in Missoula

Licensed Group Child Care Home

1 centers

Licensed Family Daycare Home

1 centers

Licensed Child Care Center

1 centers

Infant & Toddler Center

1 centers

All Missoula licensed centers

Page 1 of 1

B Head Start

Billings Discovery Preschool #17

Missoula

2 years - 12 years Cap 57

B Group Care

Billings Primrose School #15

Missoula

School Age (5+) Cap 64

B Before/After School

Billings Stepping Stones #18

Missoula

School Age (5+) Cap 24

K Licensed Center

Kalispell Bright Futures Daycare #31

Missoula

Infants & Toddlers Cap 43

K Infant Care

Kalispell Little Stars Daycare #29

Missoula

Preschool (2-5) Cap 36

K Montessori

Kalispell Rainbow Learning Center #30

Missoula

6 weeks - 12 years Cap 59

L Preschool

La Petite Academy Billings #16

Missoula

Preschool (2-5) Cap 25

L Family Daycare

Little Hearts Kalispell #32

Missoula

School Age (5+) Cap 119

Open a listing for the full state-registry record — capacity, age range, contact info, and license issue date.

Parent-asked basics on licensing, ratios, and waitlist timing for this area.

How many licensed daycare centers are in Missoula, Montana?

Our directory lists 8 licensed childcare centers in Missoula, Montana, sourced from Montana DPHHS — Early Childhood and Family Support Division. All listings hold a current state license at indexing time; verify status directly via the state's lookup tool before enrollment.

What's the average daycare cost in Missoula?

Statewide averages in Montana run roughly $920/month for infants and $720/month for preschool. City-specific costs vary — large metros and dense neighborhoods trend higher than rural ZIPs. Use the cost estimator for a closer ballpark.

What staff-to-child ratios apply in Missoula daycares?

All licensed Montana centers must meet the state minimum: 1:4 for infants, 1:8 for toddlers, and 1:10 for preschool. NAEYC-accredited centers in Missoula typically operate below these ceilings.

Are subsidies available for daycare in Missoula?

Montana families can apply for Montana Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship (intake: (406) 444-5900). Federal options like the Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit and a Dependent Care FSA stack on top. See our subsidies guide.

How do I verify a Missoula daycare's license?

Look up the provider directly in the official Montana DPHHS — Early Childhood and Family Support Division search. License status is the single most important credential to confirm before enrolling.