Quality Resources
The Early Childhood Quality Improvement Resources page is designed to support your commitment to high quality education and care. You will find tools, information, and best practices to enhance the learning environment and developmental outcomes for young children as well as family and community engagement strategies.
Business Practices
- Budget and Cost of Care
- Tax Resources
- Quality Improvement Action Plans
- Staffing
- Professional Development
- Montana Professional Development Opportunities - Training Calendar
- Montana Childcare Business Connect Resource Library
- Child Care Operations - SPARK Knowledge Hub
- ADA Guide
- HIPAA
- HES 103-A Conditional Attendance Form
- Primary Caregiver Expectations
- Sample Breast Feeding Policy
- Sample Contract
- Sample Handbook
- Sample Transition Plan
- Successful Tours
- Ratios
- NAEYC Ratio Chart
- Preparing Your Environment to Support Breast Feeding
- Aligning Program Practices
Curriculum and Instruction
- Pyramid Model
- Montana Early Learning Standards
- Behavior Intervention and Positive Behavior Supports
- Developmental Screening
- Milestones by Age
- Practical Strategies for Teachers
- Methods of Observation
- Portfolios & the Power of Documentation
- Behavior Log
- Individual Observation Checklist
- Teaming Strategies for Inclusive Early Childhood Settings - NAEYC
- How to Create an Inclusive Childcare Environment
- Steps to Enter Screening Data
- Early Childhood Learning Resources- SPARK Knowledge Hub
Family and Community
- Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship
- Individualized Personal Care Plan - Infants and Toddlers
- Individualized Personal Care Plan – Preschoolers
- NAEYC Partnerships for Learning: Conferencing with Families
- 20 Steps to a Full Partnership
- 20 Steps to Partnership Checklist
- Inviting Parent Participation
- Offering Family Involvement Opportunities
- Positive Solutions for Families Brochure
- Community Resources
- Program Family Involvement Opportunities Checklist
- Parent Partnership
- Note for Parents Regarding Primary Caregiving
- Sample Transition Plan
- Transitioning Children Out of Child Care
- Transitions to New Age Group
- Preschool Partnership
- Milestones by Age
Health and Safety
- Health Practices
- MT Immunization Child Care & School Resources
- Immunization Requirements by Age for Child Care (updated 6/2025)
- Chickenpox Documentation Form
- Be a Healthy Role Model Tip Sheet
- Health Habits for Life – Every Day Is a Healthy Day
- Healthy Habits for Life – Get Moving
- Healthy Habits for Life Resource Kit Introduction
- Daily Health Check Resources
- Safety Practices
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- Child Care Licensing Accident/Injury Report Form
- YIKES Emergency Preparedness
- Emergency Go Kit
- Safe Sleep Tools & Resources - American Academy of Pediatrics
- Provider Guide to Safe Sleep
- Emergency Preparedness Resources- SPARK Knowledge Hub
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- Nutrition
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- USDA Meal Guidelines_updated 10/2025
- CACFP Website Flyer
- About the CACFP Meal Pattern Tip Sheet
- Family Style Meals - USDA Resource
- Family Style Dining Article
- Feeding Children in Child Care
- Ellyn Satter Division of Responsibility in Feeding Children Poster
- Menu Planning for Childcare Facilities
- Special Dietary Needs Statement
- Health Habits for Life – Food & Drink to Grow On
- Healthy Weight - National Resource Center for Health & Safety (NRC)
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- Caring for Our Children – download the book
- Health & Safety Resources - SPARK Knowledge Hub
Environment
- The Dirty Dozen: Twelve Playground Hazards
- MT Playground Information Sheet
- Playground Safety Reference Guide to Use with ERS_updated 10/2025
- Top Ten Questions about the Environment Rating Scale Assessment
- Screen Smart Tips
Accreditation
- Child Care Centers
- Family/Group Programs