Montana Childcare Advocates: Pandemic Illuminates Need for Public Funding, Expanded Access

Montana is one of only a handful states in the U.S. without state-funded preschool, while its public funding for daycare is highly limited. Moreover, a 2019 state report outlined a significant shortage in licensed childcare availability across Montana, including early-education “deserts” in rural areas.

“There are so many options,” Buenz said. “It’s about encouraging legislators to think about funding for early education, but it’s also about bringing companies together, corporations. It has to be everybody at the table, community members, the agencies, the parents.”

By Myers Reece

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Early Education in Montana