Summer Child Care in Montana

WRITTEN BY ROSE HEIDER

There simply isn’t enough child care in Montana. With children out of school and more kids needing care, summer can be an especially challenging time for families to find and afford safe quality care – especially for school-age kids.

Summer care programs are available from all sorts of organizations, letting kids spark a new interest or dive deep into something special they already love. Whether your child is curious about science or ready to race around a soccer field, you’re bound to be overwhelmed by the options. It can be hard to determine what type of care is the best for your child and family. So, here’s a quick breakdown of the types of care out there. 1

Child Care Centers offer child care, often to children from ages 0-6. However, during the summer months some child care providers offer additional openings or camps for school-age kids who aren’t quite ready to be on their own while parents work during the day.

Summer Buddies are often mature teenagers or college students who can come to your home to provide supervision, companionship and even transportation to children.

Traditional Summer Camps offer a variety of activities for kids to explore their interests or even learn something new. Most summer camps take place during the day, so you may need to plan for additional care before or after camp programs.

Special Needs Camps offer care to children in need of extra support. Staff have access to special resources and are trained to help children with a variety of needs. There are a range of activities tailored to each child’s ability to enjoy along with camp friends.

Resident and Sleep-away Camps give kids a home away from home experience for a week or longer. Many of these camps are activity or skill-based and offer leadership opportunities for older kids.

As with most new things, your child will need to adjust to their summer care routine. By going over what’s ahead, you can help them have a great summer experience. Consider letting them help you choose a camp or care that they are excited about. Once their summer care is planned, talk to them about what to expect including daily activities, clothing, gear, pick-up and drop-off details and meals. This can help calm any nerves and get your child excited for their upcoming summer.

Are you thinking about leaving a child home alone? If you think your older child can care for themselves for part or a whole day during the summer, a self-care situation may meet your family’s needs. There are minimum-age requirements for legal self-care that vary from state to state and county to county. Many counties specify the amount of time that children of various ages can care for themselves, as well as age requirements for staying home with other children. To find out the requirements in your county, refer to your county’s Department of Health and Human Services (DPHHS). 2

Community resources like Child Care Connections’ Child Care Referral Program can help you find the right summer care for your family. This program helps you navigate child care needs, access scholarships and even find other community support to help your little one have a great, and safe, summer! Learn more at cccmontana.org.

Rose Heider, Development and Communications Coordinator at Child Care Connections, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advocating for the well-being and quality care of children. Learn more at cccmontana.org or 406-587-7786.

Sources:

1. https://ors.od.nih.gov/pes/dats/childcare/Pages/ summerCareResources.aspx

2. https://dphhs.mt.gov/assets/cfsd/ CANpubs/3isyourchildreadytobehomealone.pdf