Challenges

Access, Scalability

Location

Montana

Stakeholders

Businesses, Local Government

Beneficiaries

Parents, Children

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Overview

Bozeman Health, a Montana health care provider with over 2,400 employees, partnered with MyVillage in 2019 to increase in-home childcare providers near the hospital, offering employees priority placement. This initiative addresses childcare shortages in rural areas, supporting workforce retention and participation.

Key Impact Metrics

  • 100
    employees enrolled
  • 875
    potential childcare slots created
  • $2,000
    in startup costs

Problem

Analysis revealed that Montana had only enough licensed childcare providers to support 40% of children in need of paid care. This shortage was directly impacting Bozeman Health's ability to hire and retain employees, particularly in a tight labor market. Furthermore, a cost analysis showed that building a traditional on-site center would be too expensive, with a projected annual cost of upwards of $120,000. The initiative was a direct response to this unmet need for a more affordable and scalable solution that would support employees and the broader community.

Solution

Bozeman Health partnered with a local Montana startup, MyVillage, which provides childcare services and teaches individuals how to run childcare centers out of their own home. This initiative, announced in October 2019, was designed to provide a more scalable and affordable childcare option than building a traditional on-site center. The partnership gave Bozeman Health employees access to MyVillage's network of in-home childcare providers, which helped to address the local shortage of childcare slots. By collaborating with a local startup, Bozeman Health was able to offer a childcare benefit that was both cost-effective and flexible enough to meet the diverse needs of its employees, particularly those living in the surrounding communities.

Results

  • Beneficiary Impact
    100 employees enrolled
  • Employee Impact
    351 childcare providers benefiting statewide
  • Financial Results
    30% higher earnings by MyVillage franchisees compared to other startups

Replication Tips

  • Understand the childcare startup ecosystem to vet partnerships: Having an understanding of the childcare startup scene in your city in order to know whether value deals could be brokered. Startups may offer a more affordable and scalable solution that could be conducive to your organization's needs.

Suggested Implementation Timeline

~5-11 months

Sources