Early Childhood projects celebrate, educate, and advocate for kids age 0 – 8.
Goals include:
- Know and connect people with services available to them
- Strengthen partnerships with a variety of service providers and youth organizations
- Partner with the state to assess Family Engagement opportunities across the county
- Participate in the statewide Early Childhood Co-op Education and Program opportunities
To help achieve these goals, the Carbon County Early Childhood Coalition meets on a monthly basis to discuss best practices and ensure all childcare providers are receiving equal opportunities. This coalition consists of childcare providers and educators within Carbon County. Our latest projects include:
- Offering 1-2 youth developmental screenings for 0-5 year-olds in partnership with Yellowstone West Carbon County Special Services and Early Childhood Intervention
- Gathering material to present in our very first Beartooth Front Community Forum in the Spring
- Partnering one of our Carbon County childcare centers with the Red Lodge High School in order to provide childcare experience to high school students
If you would like to learn more about our group or about the upcoming screening dates, please reach out to Alexis at alexis@rlacf.org or (406) 446-2820.
Local Resources:
To stay up to date with local families and kid events, join the Red Lodge Littles Facebook Page.
If you are looking for local Free Parenting classes, check out the DSVS event calendar for their courses.
Carbon County Childcare Directory
Red Lodge
| Beartooth Children’s Center (406) 446-1919 bchildrenscenter@beartoothbillingsclinic.org Website Beartooth Children’s Center’s Facebook “Beartooth Children’s Center’s child-centered, play-based philosophy provides an opportunity for the successful growth and development of the whole child.” | Ages: 1-8 year olds Hours: Monday- Friday 7:30 am-5:30 pm Full day: Check in before 12:30 and Half day: 7:30 am-12:30 pm or 12:30pm-5:30 pm Type: Center; daily child care and preschool School year: Year round Meals provided: Breakfast, lunch, snacks Curriculum: The Creative Curriculum, enriched by ZooPhonics, Every Day Math (Pre-k), 2nd Step Social Emotional curriculum Licensed: Licensed Status: Part time space for 1 and 3 year old rooms Cost: Tuition Information |
| Little Explorers Paige Hunt redlodgelittlesgroup@outlook.com “Little Explorers Preschool fosters a child’s desire to learn, explore, discover, create, and become lifelong learners.” | Ages: 3-5 year olds Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 8:15 am-12:30 pm Type: Preschool program School year: September to May Meals provided: Snack Curriculum: Play-based, The Creative Curriculum, Fundations/Zoophonics, Bridges in Mathematics, Second Step Social Emotional curriculum Licensed: Not required by MT law for part-time preschool Status: Enrolling for Fall 2025 Cost: $330/month, one-time school supply fee of $30 Scholarships available |
| Little Mountain Montessori Threasa Novasio (406) 589-9334 littlemountainmontessori.rl@gmail.com “Little Mountain Montessori focuses on building confidence and independence, while also encouraging curiosity and exploration.” | Ages: 3 months-5 years old Hours: Monday-Friday, 6:30 am- 6:00 pm, part time and full time options Type: home-based School year: Year round Meals provided: Breakfast, lunch, two snacks Curriculum: Montessori Licensed: Yes Status: Full, waitlisted Cost: $60 per day |
| Mountain Bluebells Maggie Brusven (406) 445-3084 mtbluebells@gmail.com Website Mountain Bluebells Facebook “Mountain Bluebells is your child’s home away from home.” | Ages: 3 months-6 year olds Sweet peas: up to 18 months Snap dragons: 18 months- 3 years Shooting stars: preschool Hours: Monday- Thursday Full day: 8:30 am-5:00 pm Half day AM: 8:30 am- 1:00 pm School year: September to May Type: Preschool and nursery Meals provided: Menu Curriculum: Inspired by Waldorf, LifeWays Licensed: Yes Status: Waitlist Cost: Based on program enrollment; Scholarships available |
Roberts
| Carbon County Cubs Sarah Pitts (701) 770-8551 sarahpittstop83@gmail.com “Carbon County Cubs love to get messy, have fun, and grow together—because childhood should be full of joy and discovery.” | Ages: Infants-preschool, summer care for older kids Hours: Monday- Friday 7:00 am-5:30 pm (Part time and full time options) Type: Family home daycare Meals provided: Breakfast, lunch, and two snacks Curriculum: Play-based, nature and sensory focused, home-like structure Licensed: Licensed Status: Accepting enrollment Cost: Part time (less than 3 days) $135 a week, full time (more than 3 days) $200 a week |
| Kinder Cottage Jillian Knoll (616) 499-5818 Jillianmknoll@gmail.com Kinder Cottage Facebook “Kinder Cottage is home-based childcare in a gentle, holistic, warm, and nurturing environment.” | Ages: 3 months to 5 years old Hours: Monday- Thursday, 8:00 am-5:30 pm Full time: 4 days a week Part time: 2 days a week Type: Home-based School year: Year round Meals provided: two snacks, lunch Curriculum: child-centered, play-based, influenced by Waldorf, Montessori, Reggio Emilia Licensed: Legally exempt Status: Accepting enrollment (Monday and Thursday spot) Cost: Part time- $90/week, Full time-$180/week |
State Resources:
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services
Montana DPHHS provides resources and opportunities for Montana families to learn more about available options and understand what their child might need to succeed. Visit the DPHHS website.