Montana's Treasures logo. An outline of Montana with Montana's Treasures inside and the acronym MTT.

Montana's Treasures (MTT)

Montana's Treasures (MTT) now available!

Find out more:

Montana's Treasures Quality Stages and Indicators

Montana's Treasures Frequently Asked Questions (9.15.2026)

Montana's Treasures Frequently Asked Questions (9.29.2026)

MTT September 16, 2026 Virtual Town Hall Recording

MTT September 16, 2026 Virtual Town Hall PowerPoint Slides

 

Mission and Vision

Mission: To improve early care and education experiences for children and families while strengthening Montana’s workforce using a Quality Recognition System which develops programs and practitioner skills through continuous improvement strategies and assists families to make informed decisions. 

Vision: Every child has access to reliable, safe, and enriching early care and education services which supports a stable workforce, economic growth, and strong Montanan families and communities. 

 

Providers and Programs
Offer quality child care

 

What is Montana's Treasures?

Montana's Treasures is a Quality Recognition System that recognizes early childhood programs, providers, and staff who are committed to continuous quality improvement and quality early childhood education in Montana.

Quality Recognition System Redesign Goals 

  • Increase consumer education for families to inform decisions about quality child care.
  • Rebrand the quality system.
  • Encourage greater provider participation in Best Beginning Child Care Scholarship program.
  • Create an initial step for all licensed or registered providers, a foundation of child care
  • Use data to inform decisions.
  • Increase access to quality infant/toddler and after-school care.
  • Reflect broader distribution of quality funds.
  • Create a user-friendly, quality system offering choice and flexibility.

Guiding Principles

  • High quality child care is fundamental to the economic security of families and is central to Montana’s economic success.
  • A whole child approach to education is essential to meeting the holistic and individual needs of each child and family.
  • High quality child care that meets families’ needs should be accessible for all families.
  • Research indicates that high quality care for young children directly influences the productivity of both the current and future workforce, benefits the well-being of families, and positively impacts all members of the community.
  • An early childhood program cannot be considered high quality without equity of access, experience, and opportunity, resulting in equitable outcomes for all children and families.
  • Early care and education professionals are diverse, effective educators, and leaders who deserve a recognition system that supports their excellence.