Big Sky Chamber Attends Montana Child Care Business Connect Summit

Big Sky Chamber Attends Montana Child Care Business Connect Summit

The Big Sky Chamber recently participated in the Montana Child Care Business Connect Summit held in Helena on August 7th and 8th, 2024. This annual event brings together child care providers, community leaders, and early childhood education experts to network, share knowledge, and collaborate on strengthening Montana's child care industry.

Why We Attended

We all know, that childcare is a community issue. The Big Sky Chamber recognizes the critical role child care plays in our community's well-being. A strong child care system allows parents to work and contribute to the economy, while also ensuring children receive the nurturing and educational foundation they need to thrive.

What We Gained

The summit offered a valuable opportunity to:

• Connect with child care providers: We met with passionate individuals from Gallatin County to Great Falls and every where in between. All of whom are dedicated to providing high-quality care for Montana's children.
   
• Learn about industry challenges and opportunities: Through workshops and discussions, we gained insights into the current landscape of child care in our state.

By attending breakout sessions such as "Investing in your Communities' Future - with a Return" with Lyndsay Guierrez and TracyMcIntyre with Montana Cooperative Development Center (MCDC), the Big Sky Chamber was able to learn about different models communities in Montana and beyond follow to solve collective community problems. In a cooperative model the community is in the driver's seat and incentivize investors to develop in their community.

In the session, "Transforming Child Care: Building Collaborative Solutions to a Collective Problem,"  Sally Henkel The Missoula Child Care Advantage, Robert Farmer, and River Yang show us models where businesses and government grants come together to streamline admissions, unite common resources, and ultimately stabilize the child care community. This model aims to support child care in general, as well as employee retention with their key business partnerships. 

• Explore ways to support the child care sector: We identified potential partnerships and initiatives to help ensure the success of child care businesses in Big Sky.

The Importance of Childcare

Key Note Speaker Karen Lum with K.Lum Consulting addressed the child care industry through an analogy about moving a barge ship. She explained how only "micro movements" that we do everyday can lead to industry change.

The Montana Child Care Business Connect Summit was an inspiring event. We were impressed by the dedication and collaborative spirit of the attendees. We look forward to working with other stakeholders to create a thriving child care system that benefits both children and families in Big Sky and across Montana.

Looking Forward

The Big Sky Chamber is committed to supporting a strong child care industry. We will continue to seek opportunities to connect with child care providers, advocate for their needs, and promote access to quality care for all Montana children.