Impact
Through professional development, advocacy, and quality improvement, Montana Family Child Care Network (MFCN) is fortifying Montana’s family child care system, achieving tangible results and expanding partnerships throughout the state. Explore our current projects to learn more.
Professional Development
Conferences & Networking
As the Montana organization that brings together Family Child Care providers, we have a unique opportunity to help strengthen the skills and businesses of our members.
Each spring, we organize our annual conference, which brings together Family Child Care providers from all over Montana. During the conference, they have the opportunity to learn about the latest advancements in early childhood education, develop valuable business skills, and establish organic networks of skilled advisors and supportive friends. These skills and relationships empower them to return to their communities across Montana and continue building their businesses in a child-centered and sustainable manner.
We also work with other national and statewide organizations to bring their conferences and resources to our membership, such as the MTAEYC and the NAFCC, where great ideas cross-pollenate and are shared across the full early childhood ecosystem.
Accreditation Support
NAFCC accreditation, a nationally recognized mark of quality in Family Child Care, is now available to providers in Montana starting in 2026. This endorsement signifies a strong vote of confidence, helping providers be known for their deeply caring, forward-thinking, and education-focused care. Pursuing this accreditation also connects new providers to our comprehensive resources that support their continued growth and improvement.
MFCN not only facilitates this process but also actively assists providers in achieving and exceeding their goals. Our members have access to assistance and advice from Sheryl Hutzenbiler, a NAFCC Accreditation Council Member and the 2024 NAFCC Accredited Educator of the Year. Additionally, MFCN connects providers seeking this mark of quality with organizations and funds that can help cover the cost of accreditation.
Leadership Opportunities
For providers eager to expand beyond their own business, MFCN offers connections and opportunities for leadership in state and national-level organizations, research bodies, and policy groups. These providers emerge as the future front-line of our industry, shaping the next generation of early childhood educators.
Advocacy & Representation
Montana Family Child Care Network (MFCN) serves as the unified voice of family child care and home-based providers across Montana. We actively represent the needs, expertise, and lived experiences of family child care professionals in policy discussions and systems-level decision-making. Through strong advocacy efforts, MFCN works to ensure that home-based child care is visible, valued, and meaningfully included in Montana’s early childhood system.
MFCN is a voting member of Montana Advocates for Children (MAC) and plays an active advisory role in advancing early childhood policy, funding priorities, and systems change. Our involvement ensures that the perspectives of family child care providers inform statewide advocacy efforts and decision-making. By bringing provider voices directly to the table, MFCN helps shape policies with real-world insight from those delivering care every day.
As the recognized voice of home-based child care, MFCN advocates for policies, standards, and investments that strengthen family child care businesses and expand access to high-quality care for children and families. We collaborate with policymakers, community partners, and advocacy organizations at the local, state, and national levels to advance equitable, sustainable solutions. For advocacy-related inquiries, please contact fccmontana@gmail.com.
Our Partners
We are supported by and work alongside many state and national-level organizations that have an interest in family child care. These organizations help fund our work, provide our member's with resources and represent our interests through policy.
