Northern Montana Child Development Center (NMCDC) Head Start and Early Head Start is a no-cost, comprehensive program serving primarily low-income expectant families and families with children ages 0 to 5 years old in Hill, Blaine, and Liberty Counties. We receive a grant from the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide Head Start and Early Head Start services. In addition to educational services, children and families may also receive the following services
Vision Screening- Hearing Screening
- Busing*
- Child Development Assessment
- Speech Services
- Language Development
- Cognitive Development
- Gross Motor Development
- Fine Motor Development
- Field Trips
- Family Advocacy
- Healthy Meals and Snacks
- Special Needs Services**
- Nutrition Services
- Indoor and Outdoor Play
- Mental Health Services
- Training for Parents
- Medical Exams
- Dental Exams
- Growth Assessments
- Literacy
- Songs
- Science
- Basic Skills
*Busing available for half-day classes only.
Preschool Classroom Option
Northern Montana Child Development Center has two different class options for our preschool classrooms. NMCDC has 4 duration classrooms that are 7-hour days for 4 days a week (Mon-Thurs), and 3 half-day classrooms, which are 4 hours a day for 4 days a week (Mon-Thurs). There are a total of 112 slots available. All three half-day classes are located at our Lincoln center at 1360 Lincoln Ave. Two duration classrooms are located at 2229 5th Ave, one is located at 1345 Wilson Ave, and one is located at 1254 10th St. These classrooms follow the Havre Public Schools closure schedule for holidays and the summer.
Havre only
Infant/Toddler Center-Based Option
The Infant/Toddler Child Care Center is available to families with a need of childcare of at least 20 hours per week because of work, school, or TANF program requirements. The center is open from 7:30 am– 5:25 pm Monday-Thursday. The center is closed on Fridays and Federal holidays. There are 4 classrooms with a total of 30 slots available in the center. These classrooms follow the Havre Public Schools closure schedule for holidays.
Havre only.
Home Base Option
The home-based option is designed especially for rural families and families without the need for childcare. Families in this option receive a 1 1/2 hour home visit each week. The purpose of the home visit is to use the home as the child's primary learning environment and the parents as the child’s first teachers. The home visitor provides information on child development as well as family support and referrals to community resources. Families and home visitors meet 2 times a month for socialization activities.
Expectant Family Option
This option is designed for expectant families and is tailored to the families’ needs. Families receive information on pregnancy and fetal development as well as family support and referrals to community resources. Once the child is born, he or she is placed in the appropriate Infant/Toddler option based on availability. Expectant families are also invited to attend socialization activities.
School Readiness
The Office of Head Start (OHS) defines school readiness as children being ready for school, families ready to support their children's learning, and schools ready for the children who enter their doors.
Children's school readiness is measured by the skills set out in the five domains of the Head Start Child Development and Early Learning Framework:
- Language and Literacy
- Cognition and General Knowledge
- Approaches to Learning
- Physical Development and Health
- Social and Emotional Development
Families are engaged in their children's learning and development and are poised to support the lifelong success of their children. Head Start recognizes that parents are their children's primary teachers and advocates.
As Head Start programs, parents, and schools work together to promote school readiness and engage families as their children make the transition to kindergarten, schools become ready for children. Learn more about school readiness.
Policy Council
The Policy Council actively participates in the development of school readiness goals and helps to assess the program’s progress in achieving those goals. The Policy Council also promotes the critical role that parents play in supporting their children’s progress towards school readiness
The Policy Council actively participates in the development of school readiness goals and helps to assess the program’s progress in achieving those goals. The Policy Council also promotes the critical role that parents play in support their children’s progress towards school readiness.
PC Members
Chairperson - Kirsten Keller
Vice-Chairperson - Patricia Huntley
Members:
Eva Messerly
Nicole Messerly
Krystyn Wickham
Karlee Hofer
Brandon Berreth
Holley Leo
Board Members:
Marit Ita
Jamie Larsen
Community Members:
Hayley Criner
Rachel Rawn
Kasthuri Ydayakumar
For more information about Head Start and Early Head Start go to the following
Contact Us
Katlynn Bodner- Child Services Director 406-265-5810, EXT 1301 Email
Please contact Katlynn for more information or an application.
Documents and Resources
Click here to download our Parent Handbook
