Montana childcare advocates plan legislative proposals to support families, providers

The cost of living is top of mind for most Montanans, and for many families that includes the affordability of childcare. While Montana has expanded some early childhood programs in recent years, advocates and lawmakers are looking to New Mexico, the first state to offer no-cost universal childcare, for inspiration ahead of the upcoming legislative session. New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham joined former Montana Gov. Steve Bullock for a conversation about the states’ early childhood programs last week at the University of Montana. An optional public preschool program was one of the Bullock administration’s priorities that failed to pass the state Legislature in 2019. While Montana early childhood advocates said free universal childcare like New Mexico’s is still a ways out, they came away inspired, with goals to strengthen existing programs.

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