The Alberton Early Learning Center (AELC), which is owned and run by Felicity Day, provides high quality childcare for toddlers and preschool students in the rural 500-person town of Alberton, Montana. Due to high demand for childcare, there are at least eight families on the waiting list for AELC. Montana Free Press
A preschool student watches her mom leave after drop off in the morning at the Alberton Early Learning Center on Wednesday, April 3, 2024. On average, Montanans paid $18,940 in childcare expenses for children under six in 2023, according to Montana DPHHS. Montana Free Press
Sheri Arnett gets toddlers ready for a new activity at the Alberton Early Learning Center on Wednesday, April 3, 2024. AELC has struggled to find employees with a background in early childhood development because getting a degree or teaching certificate doesn’t make much sense with low wages. Montana Free Press
Preschool students temporarily disagree during play time at the Alberton Early Learning Center on Wednesday, April 3, 2024. Due to high demand for childcare, there are at least eight families on the waiting list for AELC. Montana Free Press
Two preschool students draw during free time at the Alberton Early Learning Center on Wednesday, April 3, 2024. The Alberton Early Learning Center (AELC), which is owned and run by Felicity Day, provides high quality childcare for toddlers and preschool students in the rural 500-person town of Alberton, Montana. Montana Free Press
A student in the toddler program looks for chickens in the coup during outside time at the Alberton Early Learning Center on Wednesday, April 3, 2024. Montana Free Press
Felicity Day, owner of the Alberton Early Learning Center (AELC), provides high quality childcare for toddlers and preschool students in the rural 500-person town of Alberton, Montana. Montana Free Press
Kyle and Lauren Cochrane work remotely and have struggled to find quality childcare for their children, Sloane, 1, and Howie, 3, near Frenchtown, Montana. Montana Free Press
Lauren and Kyle Cochrane get ready to drop off their toddler, Howie, at Alberton Early Learning Center on Monday, April 22, 2024. The two parents split care of their other child, 11-month old Sloane, while working from home. Montana Free Press
Howie Cochrane, 3, looks out the window at horses from his car seat on the way to childcare at Alberton Early Learning Center on Monday, April 22, 2024. Montana Free Press
Lauren Cochrane drops her son Howie off in the morning with teacher Sheri Arnett at the Alberton Early Learning Center on Monday, April 22, 2024. Montana Free Press
Kyle Cochrane takes a shift watching his 11-month-old daughter, Sloane, while working remotely on Monday, April 22, 2024. Kyle and Lauren split the day taking care of their daughter because they cannot find childcare. Montana Free Press
Sloane, 1, practices walking in the Cochrane basement as her parents Lauren and Kyle work remotely nearby on Monday, April 22, 2024. Montana Free Press
Lauren Cochrane pumps milk for her 11-month-old daughter while working on Monday, April 22, 2024. The Cochranes have struggled to find quality childcare for both their children in Frenchtown, Montana. Montana Free Press
On her way out the door, Lauren Cochrane hands off her 11-month-old daughter Sloane to her husband Kyle on Monday, April 22, 2024. Montana Free Press