Policymakers Stabilize. Innovate. Build.
Why Policy Matters
Early childhood policies play a crucial role in shaping the future of Montana’s children, families, and communities. By investing in early childhood initiatives and programs, Montana can create a strong foundation for its youngest residents, fostering their growth, education, and overall well-being. The impact of these policies extends far beyond individual families and contributes to improved school readiness, enhanced workforce development, economic growth and stronger, more resilient communities.
By prioritizing young children, Montana lawmakers can demonstrate their commitment to nurturing the potential of every child and building a brighter future for all Montanans.
How we support policymakers:
- Provide and interpret early childhood data
- Offer nonpartisan early childhood policy research support
- Draft legislation and amendments
- Conduct constituent surveys
- Provide topic-specific policy briefs and one-pagers
- Facilitate connections to local and national perspectives
- Provide thought-partnership
Policy Priority Resources
Tax Credits
75% of Montana voters polled support Montana state government reducing the cost of child care by providing tax credits to families with children.
- Child Care Tax Policy Overview (Zero to Five Montana)
- Early Care and Education Providers Deserve Credit (Zero to Five Montana)
- Child Tax Credits (Zero to Five Montana)
- Tax Incentives (Zero to Five Montana)
- Child Tax Credit Options for Reducing Poverty in Montana (Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy)
- The Expanded Child Tax Credit is Helping Families, But National Survey Shows Continued Outreach Remains Essential (Center for Law & Social Policy)
- Child tax credit proposal would strengthen state’s pro-family standing (CommonWealth Magazine)
- The State of Our Families – Child & Dependent Tax Benefits in the States (Niskanen Center)
- Pathways to High Quality Child Care: The Workforce Investment Credit (Committee for Economic Development)
- Giving Credit Where It’s Due: School Readiness Tax Credits Benefit Louisiana Families and Communities (Louisiana Policy Institute for Children)
- The Importance of Financial Supports for Child Care Teachers During the Pandemic: New Findings from Virginia (Virginia Early Childhood Foundation)
Early Learning
70% of voters polled agree Montana’s state government should help fund early childhood programs, such as child care and preschool.
- Early Numeracy (Zero to Five Montana)
- Early Literacy in Montana (Zero to Five Montana)
- The Bedrock of American Business – High Quality Early Childhood Education (U.S. Chamber of Commerce)
- Early Childhood Education: Quality and Access Pay Off (Heckman)
- Invest in Early Childhood Development: Reduce Deficits, Strengthen the Economy (Heckman)
- Learning to Read: Reading to Learn (National School Boards Association)
- Early Childhood: High Return on Investment (The Center for High Impact Philanthropy, Penn Social Policy & Practice, University of Pennsylvania)
- Studies show long-term benefits of quality preschool exceed costs (Center on Enhancing Early Learning Outcomes)
- The State of Preschool Yearbook 2023 (National Institute for Early Education Research)
- Early Literacy (American Academy of Pediatrics)
Child Care
93% of Montana voters polled agree child care costs are too high for many families.
- Early Care & Education Trust Fund – (Zero to Five Montana)
- Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship Income Eligibility – (Zero to Five Montana)
- Early Care and Education Providers Deserve Credit – (Zero to Five Montana)
- Child Care and the Workforce (Zero to Five Montana)
- Child Care Supply and Demand in Montana (Montana Department of Labor & Industry – Feb 2023)
- Child Care in Montana: Exploring the causes & impacts of a lack of child care on the Montana economy (Montana Department of Labor & Industry – March 2024)
- Lost Possibilities: The Impacts of Inadequate Child Care on Montana’s Families, Employers & Economy (Bureau of Business and Economic Research, University of Montana-Missoula)
- Piecing Together Solutions: The Importance of Child Care to U.S. Families & Businesses (U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation)
- Impacts of Child Care on the Montana Workforce (Montana Department of Labor & Industry)
- Child Care Deserts – An Analysis of Child Care Supply and Demand Gaps in Montana (Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services, Montana KIDS COUNT)
- Child Care is a Business: Parents and Employers Depend on it (Committee for Economic Development, The Public Policy Center of the Conference Board)
State Fact Sheets
- Supporting our Neighbors: Insights into Public Assistance in Montana – Headwaters Foundation
- 2024 Early Childhood Educators & Families Face Rising Challenges as Relief Funds Expire – NAEYC
- 2024 Child Care & Development Block Grant (CCDBG) in Montana – First Five Years Fund
- 10 Things to Know About Montana’s Child Care Workforce – Bipartisan Policy Center
- 2024 Child Care & Early Education in Montana – First Five Years Fund
- 2023 State of Montana’s Babies – ZERO TO THREE
- 2023 Montana Child Care Supply – Child Care Aware of America
Our Policy Briefs & One Pagers
See our policy briefs and one pagers to understand various early childhood related topics. Want to learn about something that’s not listed? Just reach out to us!
Our Policy Work
Local governments, state legislators, and other elected officials all play a role in creating a brighter future for the next generation.
To make important policy decisions, our leaders should understand the needs of young children and the challenges that parents face. That’s why Zero to Five Montana hit the road in 2024 to get local insights to help inform our state policy agenda.
Through our work, we help policymakers, employers, and communities understand the early childhood system in Montana, so together we can build a state where families, businesses, and communities thrive.