Gallatin River Child Care expands from Gallatin Gateway to Big Sky; new resource supported by LMLC, YCCF philanthropy
EBS STAFF
On Wednesday, Sept. 3, Gallatin River Child Care will host a ribbon cutting for its new facility in Big Sky, set to open in September, providing care for up to 24 children aged six weeks to three years.
Families and businesses are invited to the ceremony at 5 Spruce Cone Drive in Town Center, beginning at 4 p.m. with tours followed by words from community members at 4:30, according to a press release from Lone Mountain Land Company and Yellowstone Club Community Foundation.
LMLC and the Yellowstone Club first opened GRCC in Gallatin Gateway in February 2024 as a state-licensed provider previously reserved for their employees, until GRCC recently received 501(c)(3) status and opened to the general public—the change allowed for an increased capacity from 30 to 48 children, with current availability for kids aged six weeks to five years.
GRCC’s Big Sky facility will also be open to the public regardless of parents’ employer, although it was opened “through the generosity of LMLC and the Yellowstone Club Community Foundation,” the release stated. Business memberships “geared toward small businesses” are available, allowing member businesses to reserve slots for employees on a quarterly or seasonal basis.
“The new location will offer expanded hours of operation to support local families and business needs while complementing existing infant care options in Big Sky,” the release stated.
GRCC Big Sky will open in September and is now accepting applications.
Increasing community capacity
“Quality, accessible early childhood education is absolutely critical to ensure a thriving community,” GRCC Director Jackie Ng stated in the release. “In the past year, we have expanded our care in Gallatin Gateway, and we are now days away from opening a new facility in Big Sky. We are humbled and excited to serve even more families in the Gallatin Valley, where we know the need is significant.”
Ng has over 20 years of experience in early childhood education and holds a master’s degree in early childhood education. Under her leadership, GRCC provides a clean, safe environment and quality experience for all children, according to the release.
LMLC president Matt Kidd noted that reliable child care, especially for infants, is “absolutely vital” to help families thrive in a community like Big Sky.
“Additionally, we aim to increase the community’s capacity for child care services to remove waitlists, ensuring more children receive care and families experience less stress while planning their individualized schedules,” Kidd stated.
YCCF VP of Philanthropy Ciara Wolfe stated that the foundation invested in the facility based on community need, adding that GRCC will increase Big Sky’s child care services by 50% and reduce overall cost for all families needing care.
“We’re making sure local families have the support they need now, and that we can continue to attract young families to live in our community into the future,” Wolfe stated.
In a big-picture effort to support needs in the area, Greater Gallatin United Way created the Big Sky Early Childhood Education Alliance to mobilize local providers, businesses and community organizations to help fund child care infrastructure.
CEO Kim Hall noted her gratitude for LMLC and YCCF’s investment in GRCC.
“Access to child care in Montana continues to be an ongoing challenge for families, which has ripple effects throughout entire communities,” Hall stated in the release. “We are heartened to see the commitment of these businesses and charitable organizations in Big Sky to create new and expanded opportunities for families to access quality child care.”
As part of GGUW’s alliance, LMLC “is leading the project design of a shared early learning facility near Town Center that will be available to the current local providers” that serve children aged 0 to five years, according to the release, including Discovery Academy and Morningstar Learning Center.
“Additional information about the project will be shared as plans evolve,” the release stated.
