Montana Childcare Required Forms & Documents (2026)

Montana childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed Child Care License / Registration Application — DPHHS ECFSD Child Care Licensing Program (ARM 37.96.107) for every enrolled child (per Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), Early Childhood and Family Support Division (ECFSD) — Child Care Licensing (CCL) Program).

Montana childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed Emergency contact and consent form retained in children's records (ARM 37.96.308) for every enrolled child (per Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), Early Childhood and Family Support Division (ECFSD) — Child Care Licensing (CCL) Program).

Montana childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed Authorization of persons allowed to pick up the child (ARM 37.96.308) for every enrolled child (per Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), Early Childhood and Family Support Division (ECFSD) — Child Care Licensing (CCL) Program).

Montana childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed Documentation of immunization status; Montana Certificate of Immunization, Form HES-101 (ARM 37.96.806; immunization schedule per ARM 37.96.802) for every enrolled child (per Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), Early Childhood and Family Support Division (ECFSD) — Child Care Licensing (CCL) Program).

Montana childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed Conditional/grace-period enrollment documentation prescribed by the department (ARM 37.96.802; ARM 37.96.806) for every enrolled child (per Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), Early Childhood and Family Support Division (ECFSD) — Child Care Licensing (CCL) Program).

Montana childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed Affidavit of Exemption on Religious Grounds, Form HES-113 (ARM 37.96.805) for every enrolled child (per Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), Early Childhood and Family Support Division (ECFSD) — Child Care Licensing (CCL) Program).

Montana childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed Medication administration record and written parent/guardian medication authorization (ARM 37.96.502; ARM 37.96.303(1)(f)) for every enrolled child (per Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), Early Childhood and Family Support Division (ECFSD) — Child Care Licensing (CCL) Program).

Montana childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed Incident/injury report with parent notification (ARM 37.96.303(1)(d); ARM 37.96.307) for every enrolled child (per Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), Early Childhood and Family Support Division (ECFSD) — Child Care Licensing (CCL) Program).

What forms are required for childcare enrollment in Montana?

Montana requires the following forms for each enrolled child: Child Care License / Registration Application — DPHHS ECFSD Child Care Licensing Program (ARM 37.96.107); Emergency contact and consent form retained in children's records (ARM 37.96.308); Authorization of persons allowed to pick up the child (ARM 37.96.308); Documentation of immunization status; Montana Certificate of Immunization, Form HES-101 (ARM 37.96.806; immunization schedule per ARM 37.96.802); Conditional/grace-period enrollment documentation prescribed by the department (ARM 37.96.802; ARM 37.96.806); Affidavit of Exemption on Religious Grounds, Form HES-113 (ARM 37.96.805); Medication administration record and written parent/guardian medication authorization (ARM 37.96.502; ARM 37.96.303(1)(f)); Incident/injury report with parent notification (ARM 37.96.303(1)(d); ARM 37.96.307).

How long must Montana childcare centers keep enrollment forms on file?

Montana childcare licensing rules require that child records, including all required enrollment forms, be kept on file for the duration of enrollment and for a retention period after the child leaves. Contact the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), Early Childhood and Family Support Division (ECFSD) — Child Care Licensing (CCL) Program to confirm the exact retention schedule.

What happens if a Montana center is missing required child forms during an inspection?

Missing or incomplete required forms are a citable deficiency in a Montana childcare licensing inspection. Establishing or maintaining a day-care facility without first obtaining a license or registration certificate is a misdemeanor, punishable upon conviction by a fine not to exceed $500 (52-2-741(1), MCA). The department may report the results of its investigation to the attorney general or the county attorney for prosecution and request that an injunction be issued against the facility until a license or certificate is issued (52-2-741(2), MCA). For licensed/registered providers the department applies progressive enforcement, including corrective action and denial, suspension, revocation, modification, or reduction to probationary status of a license or registration (ARM subchapter 37.96.11, Compliance and Enforcement, incl. ARM 37.96.1101 Complaints and Investigations and ARM 37.96.1116 Fair Hearing).

Does TotReady provide templates for Montana required forms?

TotReady's enrollment form tool and incident report tool generate Montana-ready documents pre-filled with the required fields. Visit /tools/enrollment-form and /tools/incident-report to get started.