Licensed

Licensed Daycare in Great Falls, Montana

6 licensed daycares in Great Falls, verified weekly. Compare cost, age groups, and Head Start spots in your ZIP — directly from official Montana licensing records.

6
Licensed Centers
1
Infant Care
$920/mo
Montana avg infant
1:4
State infant ratio

Great Falls listings updated May 2026 from official Montana records.

Daycare in Great Falls: what parents should know

Families in Great Falls can choose from 6 licensed childcare providers, with Licensed Group Child Care Home the most common type (about 17% of local listings). Every provider here holds a current Montana license at indexing time, sourced from Montana DPHHS — Early Childhood and Family Support Division.

For age coverage, 1 center in Great Falls report infant care (roughly 17% — infant slots are the scarcest and fill fastest, so start early). 1 is a Head Start program, free for income-eligible families.

Licensed care in Great Falls spans 3+ ZIP codes, so families can usually find an option within a short commute. About 17% are family child care homes — typically smaller group sizes and 10–30% cheaper than centers, a good fit for infants and toddlers.

Combined, Great Falls's licensed centers hold about 445 licensed seats — a practical gauge of how much local supply competes for each opening.

Great Falls childcare by the numbers

6
Licensed providers
445
Licensed child seats
1
Family child care homes
3+
ZIP codes covered

Childcare costs in Great Falls

ChildCare Aware reports the Montana average full-time cost at $920/month for infant care and $720/month for preschool. City-level prices in Great Falls 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
74 kids

Largest licensed centers in Great Falls

By licensed capacity on file — bigger programs often mean more openings and age groups. Always verify the current license before enrolling.

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

How many licensed daycare centers are in Great Falls, Montana?
Our directory lists 6 licensed childcare centers in Great Falls, 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 Great Falls?
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 Great Falls 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 Great Falls typically operate below these ceilings.
Are subsidies available for daycare in Great Falls?
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 Great Falls 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.

Where to get childcare help in Great Falls

Free, official channels for finding licensed care, checking quality ratings, and applying for assistance — no account or fee required.

Local CCR&R agency

Child Care Resource & Referral counselors help you find vetted local options.

1-800-424-2246 · Find yours
Dial 2-1-1

United Way's free, confidential line connects you to local childcare, food, and family aid.

Call 211 · 211.org
Head Start (free)

Free early education for income-eligible families and pregnant women.

Find a program
State subsidy

Montana Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship can cover most of your childcare cost by income.

(406) 444-5900 · How to apply
Quality ratings

Check NAEYC accreditation and your state's quality-rating (QRIS) for any provider.

Find quality care
Verify a license

Confirm any provider's current license & inspection record with Montana DPHHS — Early Childhood and Family Support Division.

Official license search

How this data is sourced. Listings for Great Falls, Montana are compiled from official Montana DPHHS — Early Childhood and Family Support Division licensing records and cross-checked for current license status — not paid placements or user star-ratings. Rankings never depend on advertising. Provider details change often, so always confirm directly before enrolling. Reviewed by the DaycareHub editorial team · May 2026 · methodology

Search 6 Licensed Centers in Great Falls

Free, no signup, verified directly with Montana DPHHS — Early Childhood and Family Support Division.

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