Montana

Staff-child ratios

Requirements

Annual training

No fixed statewide clock-hour total in the rule: directors, teachers, and assistant teachers must complete the annual training required to stay current on the Montana ECP Practitioner Registry (ARM 37.95.162). Teachers at school-age-only facilities need at least 8 hours of continuing education annually; a health-and-safety review course is required at least every 3 years, and CPR/first aid certification within 30 days of hire (ARM 37.95.163).

Lead teacher

An early childhood lead teacher (ECLT) must be at least 18, current on the ECP Practitioner Registry, hold CPR/first aid certification, complete teacher orientation, and have either two years' experience in an early childhood program plus 32 hours of ECP training, or ECP Registry level 2 or higher (ARM 37.95.622).

Director

Directors must be at least 18, current on the ECP Registry, complete teacher orientation, and qualify via ECP Registry level 4+; level 3 plus 2 years' experience; level 2 plus 3 years; or a bachelor's degree plus 120 hours of approved training; plus a program management essentials course within 60 days (ARM 37.95.624).

Worth knowing

Montana's ratio bands are 0–23 months (1:4, group 12), 2–3 years (1:8, group 16), 4 years (1:10, group 24), 5+ (1:14, group 32); although 'toddler' is defined as 19–36 months, children 19–23 months count in the 0–23-month band. Mixed groups follow the youngest child. DPHHS rulebook version reviewed: rev. 12/21.