How Much Does It Cost to Start a Daycare Center in Montana?

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Starting a Daycare Center in Montana typically costs between $63,600 and $530,000, with a median estimate of $190,800. Montana’s cost of living runs 6% above the national average, which increases commercial rent and labor costs. LLC formation in Montana costs $70 to file. Most daycare center businesses take 4-12 months to launch.

Last updated: March 2026

Daycare Center startup costs illustration — typical equipment and setup

How Much Does It Cost to Start a Daycare Center in Montana?

Low

$63,600

Medium

$190,800

High

$530,000

National average: $60,000 – $500,000

Interactive Startup Cost Calculator

Startup Cost Calculator

Daycare Center in Montana

Budget:

Facility Lease & Build-Out

$84,800

Playground Equipment

$21,200

Indoor Furniture & Learning Materials

$31,800

State Licensing & Inspections

$5,300

Staff Hiring & Training

$21,200

Insurance

$10,600

Childcare Management Software

$2,120

Marketing & Community Outreach

$5,300

Working Capital Reserve

$42,400

Options

Include 3 months working capital

Employees:Just Me1–34–10

One-Time Costs

$224,720

Monthly Costs

First Year Total

$224,720

Full Cost Breakdown

Cost Category	Low	Medium	High	Notes
Facility Lease & Build-Out	$21,200	$84,800	$265,000	Daycare facilities must meet strict state square footage requirements per child (35-50 sq ft indoor + 75 sq ft outdoor).
Playground Equipment	$5,300	$21,200	$63,600	CPSC-compliant commercial playground equipment costs $8,000-$30,000. Engineered wood fiber or rubber surfacing is required.
Indoor Furniture & Learning Materials	$10,600	$31,800	$84,800	Budget $500-$2,000 per classroom for furnishings. Infant rooms require cribs ($200-$500 each).
State Licensing & Inspections	$1,060	$5,300	$15,900	Background checks for all staff and household members cost $30-$100 each. Licensing fees vary by state and capacity.
Staff Hiring & Training	$5,300	$21,200	$63,600	Most states require lead teachers to have CDA (Child Development Associate) credentials or a degree in early childhood education.
Insurance	$3,180	$10,600	$31,800	Abuse/neglect liability insurance is mandatory for childcare centers. Budget $500-$2,000/year for this specific coverage.
Childcare Management Software	$530	$2,120	$6,360	Brightwheel, Procare, and HiMama are popular daycare management platforms at $1-$3 per child per month.
Marketing & Community Outreach	$1,060	$5,300	$15,900	Word of mouth from satisfied parents is the most effective marketing. Pediatrician referrals are also valuable.
Working Capital Reserve	$15,900	$42,400	$127,200	Daycares typically fill to 60% capacity in year 1, 80% in year 2, and 90%+ in year 3.
Total Startup Cost	$64,130	$224,720	$674,160	Required costs only

Licenses & Permits in Montana

General Business License

Montana does not have a statewide general business license. Businesses must register their entity with the Montana Secretary of State and register with the Montana Department of Revenue for withholding taxes. Montana has no sales tax, which simplifies business registration. Some Montana cities and counties require local business licenses. The state's outdoor economy and tourism industry influence many licensing requirements.

Industry-Specific Licenses

Food and Drug Establishment License — Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services — Food and Consumer Safety
Cost: $50-$400 • Renewal: Annual
Contractor Registration — Montana Department of Labor and Industry — Employment Relations Division
Cost: $70-$250 • Renewal: Annual
Cosmetology Salon License — Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists
Cost: $50-$150 • Renewal: Annual
Real Estate Broker License — Montana Board of Realty Regulation
Cost: $100-$300 • Renewal: Annual
Outfitter License — Montana Board of Outfitters
Cost: $200-$800 • Renewal: Annual
Child Care Facility License — Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services — Child Care Licensing
Cost: $50-$200 • Renewal: Annual
Beer or Liquor License — Montana Department of Revenue — Liquor Control Division
Cost: $400-$10,000 • Renewal: Annual
Pesticide Dealer License — Montana Department of Agriculture
Cost: $50-$150 • Renewal: Annual

Home-Based Business Rules

Home-based businesses in Montana face minimal regulation in rural and unincorporated areas, which make up most of the state's land area. Bozeman, Missoula, Billings, and Great Falls regulate home occupations through local zoning ordinances with standard restrictions on signage and customer traffic. Montana's cottage food law supports home-based food production. Remote home-based businesses are common in Montana's scattered rural communities.

Resources

Monthly Operating Costs

After launch, plan for these ongoing monthly expenses for your Daycare Center:

Low

$8,000/mo

Medium

$25,000/mo

High

$70,000/mo

Revenue Potential

Annual Revenue Range

$150,000 – $1,000,000 (annual)

Profit Margins

10-20%

Break-Even Timeline

18-36 months

How Montana Compares to Neighboring States

Montana is a higher-cost state for starting a Daycare Center, with a cost-of-living index of 105.6 (national average is 100). Compared to neighboring North Dakota ($178,200 median startup cost), Montana has higher costs for a Daycare Center.

State	Est. Cost	LLC Fee
Montana (current)	$190,800	$70
North Dakota	$178,200	$135
South Dakota	$174,600	$150
Wyoming	$180,000	$100
Idaho	$185,400	$100

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1
Underestimating licensing timeline — state childcare licensing takes 3-9 months in most states
2
Not budgeting for staff-to-child ratios — state regulations require 1 teacher per 4-6 infants
3
Skipping abuse/neglect liability insurance — it's mandatory and the most critical coverage for daycare centers
4
Opening without a full enrollment waitlist — use the pre-opening period to build a waitlist of 30+ families
5
Not including subsidy billing in operations — accepting Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) subsidies significantly increases enrollment

Next Steps to Launch Your Daycare Center

1
Obtain a Montana childcare facility license from the Montana Department of Children and Family Services before accepting children
2
Register your Daycare Center as an LLC with the Montana Secretary of State ($70 filing fee)
3
Pass the Montana fire marshal inspection — exits, smoke detectors, extinguishers, and evacuation plans are required
4
Complete criminal background checks on ALL staff per Montana childcare licensing requirements
5
Meet Montana staff-to-child ratio requirements: typically 1:4 for infants, 1:6 for toddlers, 1:10 for preschool-age
6
Get childcare-specific liability insurance and workers compensation coverage ($5,000–$12,000/year)
7
Install the physical requirements: fenced outdoor play area, age-appropriate bathroom facilities, and kitchen if serving meals
8
Enroll in the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) to offset meal costs if you serve qualifying children

Frequently Asked Questions

Opening a daycare center costs $60,000 to $500,000. A small home-based daycare for 6-8 children can launch for $10,000-$30,000. A licensed commercial daycare center for 30-50 children typically costs $100,000-$250,000. A large full-service childcare center for 100+ children can exceed $500,000.

State childcare licensing takes 3-9 months on average. The process involves submitting an application, facility inspections (fire, health, licensing), background checks for all staff, staff training verification, and a licensing visit. Start the licensing process immediately after finding your facility.

Capacity depends on your facility size and state ratio requirements. Typical ratios: infants (1:4), toddlers (1:6), preschoolers (1:10-12). A 2,500 sq ft facility at 35 sq ft per child can serve 71 children maximum, adjusted for ratio requirements. Most states cap home daycares at 6-8 children.

Daycare centers can net 10-20% profit margins at full capacity. A 50-child center charging $1,200/month average tuition grosses $720,000/year. After staff labor (60-65% of revenue), rent, supplies, and insurance, net profit runs $72,000-$144,000. The key is maintaining 85%+ occupancy consistently.

Requirements vary by state and staff role. Lead teachers typically need a CDA credential ($425 to obtain), an associate's degree in early childhood education, or a bachelor's degree. Aides may need only 18+ years of age and a high school diploma plus CPR certification. All staff must pass a background check.

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Start a Daycare Center in Other States

See the national overview for Daycare Center or browse all businesses you can start in Montana.