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Licensed/
Registered
Child Care
Registered
child care most often takes place in a residence. In
general, Registered child care providers are inspected less
frequently than Licensed providers. About 20% are visited by
state agencies (including all new applicants). Both Licensed
and Registered facilities are eligible for Child and Adult
Care Food Program participation.
Child
care centers are Licensed child care facilities. All child
care centers must be inspected by the state to retain their
license. Centers are also inspected for fire hazards and
other health and safety issues. The Star Quality Rating
relates to the quality of care as it reflects the
developmental needs of the child.
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1-Star
Child Care
A 1-Star facility has a 2- to 3- year extended license which
is received when an inspection finds the facility to be in
perfect compliance with state regulations. This is a
facility that is working towards quality indicators in
cognitive, physical, social/emotional and creative
development. At 75% of the staff in centers are at or above
Level 2 on the Montana Early Child Care and Education Career
Registry; personnel policies are aimed at professional child
care career development. Staff turnover is less than 50%. A
pre-enrollment policy and regular parent communications
methods are in place.
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2-Star
Child Care
The
highest rating of child care is given to a provider that is
accredited by the National Association for the Education of
Young Children (NAEYC), the National Association for Family
Child Care (NAFCC), or the National School-Age Care
Alliance (NSACA). The majority of the staff are Level 3 or
higher on the Montana Early Care and Education Career
Development Registry and turnover is monitored. Both
Registered and Licensed facilities can aspire to
accreditation.
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