Thank you for your interest in our child care programs. The ASUM Child Care Centers serve children of UM students, staff, and faculty. The program is funded by student activity fees, parent fees, state and federal funds, and the University of Montana.

The goal of ASUM Child Care is to provide quality child care and early education services at a reasonable cost to students and University of Montana faculty and staff.

Program Options & Rates

Children's Early Learning Center I

McGill Hall, Rm 001A, Main Campus

• Children ages 19 m-2 years; toilet trained NOT required.
• Student Full-Day enrollment option only = $42 per day.
• Fac/Staff = $940.00/month (Pro-rated on # of days).
• Minimum 2 days per week enrollment.

Children's Early Learning Center II

McGill Hall, Rm 036, Main Campus

• Children ages newborn - 23months; toilet trained NOT required.
• Student Full-Day enrollment option only = $42.00 per day.
• Fac/Staff = $940.00/month (Pro-rated on # of days).
• Minimum 2 days per week enrollment.

Children’s Early Learning Center III

McGill Hall, Rm 001A, Main Campus

• Children ages 2-3
• Student Full-Day enrollment option only = $39.50 per day (3 year olds) $42.00 per day (2 year olds)
• Fac/Staff = 890.00/month (Pro-rated on # of days)(3 year olds)  $940.00/month (2 year olds)

Children's Learning Center I

McGill Hall, Rm 001, Main Campus

• Children ages 3-6.
• Student Full-Day enrollment option only = $39.50 per day.
• Fac/Staff = $890.00/month (Pro-rated on # of days).
• Minimum 2 days per week enrollment.

Children's Learning Center II

McGill Hall, Rm 001, Main Campus

• Children ages 3-6.
• Student Full-Day enrollment option only = $39.50 per day.
• Fac/Staff = $890/month (Pro-rated on # of days).
• Minimum 2 days per week enrollment.

Hours

• All centers are open Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
• Summer Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• All programs are closed during University holidays.
• All programs closed for training one week in August.

The Curriculum

All ASUM Child Care activities are developed and intended to be age appropriate for the center's group. Each day a variety of activities takes place that promotes cognitive skills, self-help skills, social skills, large and small motor control, and creativity. All of this is accomplished through teacher-directed activities, large and small group activities and play. The concern is for the whole child and his/her needs.

• Teacher-Directed Activities: Some of the teacher-directed activities may include organized games, music, creative movement, literature, creative dramatics, finger-plays, poetry, language development, songs, concept development, special unit topics and special projects.
• Small Group: Small group activities may include manipulative games, shelf games, puzzles, books, etc.
• Free Choice Activities: Shelf and table toys, learning centers, blocks, trucks, art, sensory table, games, library, listening center, dramatic play, puppets, science/nutrition, etc.
• Outside Play: Children play outside each day for at least a few minutes. Please provide appropriate clothing; includes both free choice and teacher directed non-competitive games.
• Quiet Time: Staff daily record child's sleeping and resting practices for toddlers. Reports are made available to parents at the end of each week.
• Field Trips: Field trips are a part of the program. You will always be notified in advance about field trips and permission slips will be required. However, you will not be notified in advance about walking trips the group may decide to take in the university or center area, or about regularly scheduled outings that have been posted.
• Sample Day: Children and teachers are discussing colors: One day is "Green Day." Possible activities would include playing in green water, yellow and blue easel paint, green play-dough, describe and imitate green "things," matching and sorting games, green snack, finger play "Ten Green Frogs," story Green Eggs and Ham , green collage, cutting and pasting green pictures, creative movement with green streamers, organized games and songs, (stand up when the color green is sung), etc.

A daily schedule is posted at each center if you desire more information.

Meals

A nutritious breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack are served each day. The program participates in the USDA Child and Adult Food Program receiving funds for the service of meals and snacks that meet program requirements.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Staff

Each center is staffed with a morning teacher from 7:15 AM - 3:15 PM and an afternoon assistant teacher from 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM. Each center is also staffed with student teacher aides who come and go between classes.

A maximum ratio of 1 to 8 children is maintained in each preschool center and Early Learning Center III. A 1 to 4 ratio is maintained in the Early Learning Center I and Early Learning Center II.

Health & Immunizations

Children must be adequately immunized before attendance in the program and must be adequately immunized to remain in the program.

Immunization record signed by health authority/physician is required. Only a medical exemption is allowed.