Billings Daycare with Purpose. Outdoor Fun, Zero Screens.
"She is absolutely thriving in Kindergarten. Her teacher describes her as a 'rock star' (they use the PAX system for motivation). Thanks for all you did for her. It really, really prepared her for Kindergarten."
705 Lincoln Lane, Billings, MT 59105
📞 406‑534‑3442 ✉️ info@firstthingschildcare.com
🕒 Mon–Fri: 7:30 am–5:30 pm (no Best Beginnings)
"I feel like he never gets sick anymore. At his old daycare he was always catching... something."
"I’ve noticed big changes in her since we started. She’s talking a lot more… and better, too."
🌟 Why We’re Different
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🖥️🚫 Zero screen time: No TVs, tablets, or movies
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🌞🌳 Outdoor-first: Kids spend 2–4 hours outside daily, in all seasons—much more than typical K‑5 kids in Billings schools
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🏠 Small‑scale “group home” setting: More personal than a center, larger than in‑home care
Learning + Play
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Reading before Kindergarten: We teach reading and sound formation through phonics
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Numbers & songs: Kids learn to count, compare numbers, and we sing every day
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Balanced schedule: Our routine minimizes meltdowns and builds emotional regulation
Daily Routine
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Free play, lessons, singing, story time, quiet time, lunch, snacks (organic produce)
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Lots of back-and-forth talking, supervised unstructured play, seasonal events
Our simple schedule plays to your child’s strengths
Traditional daycare can feel very looong for kids if the schedule is loose.
Too much free play = too much of a good thing!
Conversely, too much down-to-the-minute structure as practiced by some preschools, can overwhelm young kids.
(Sitting still for long stretches and staying focused is asking a lot from them!)
At First Things, we understand your child’s frame.
We don’t expect them to act like lil’ adults.
Your child will leave with you at the end of the day neither exhausted nor hyper.
Here’s what a typical day looks like:
| Time | Activity |
| 7:30-8am | Table Time (Coloring, Puzzles, Books) |
| 8-9am | Free Play, Morning Lesson* (Reading, Writing, Numbers) |
| 9-10am | Singing, Snack, Free Play |
| 10-11am | Outdoor Play |
| 11-12pm | Outdoor Play |
| 12-1pm | Lunch, Bible Verses, Cleanup |
| 1-3pm | Nap or Rest Time |
| 3-4pm | Story time, Afternoon Lesson, Snack |
| 4-5pm | Outdoor Play |
| 5-5:30pm | Free Play (Indoor), Clean Up |
As you see, most of our day is spent playing, mixed in with specific activities.
Our schedule is consistent. It allows us to manage your child’s energy and emotions.
Kids like it too, because it allows them to “tell” time.
Because they know what to expect, transitions are simple and breezy, not triggers for meltdowns.
(Yes, that includes going outside in winter with boots and gloves, too!)
Be sure to scan the testimonials from happy parents and colleagues.
Call 534-3442 to schedule your no-pressure tour.
705 Lincoln Lane, Billings, Montana 59105
First Things Child Care
705 Lincoln Lane, Billings, MT 59105
(Park on Lincoln Lane or the lot on Joyce St. Entry is on the south side of the building.)
Office: 406-534-3442
Email: info@firstthingschildcare.com
(You’ll get a response within a day, M-F, weekend emails will be answered on Mondays.)
Hours: M-F, 7:30am-5:30pm.
(Please note that we don’t accept Best Beginnings. We offer full and part-time child care. We offer half-days, flex scheduling, and after-school care on a limited basis. We do not pick up children. Tuition rates are competitive.)
Yes, we do! To be clear, we accept children with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. Depending on care requirements, there may be fees in addition to monthly tuition.
We want all parties–you, your child, us–to be secure and happy with your decision to enroll.
That’s why the first two weeks at First Things is a trial to ensure fit.
As for as finding the “right” daycare, well… your child may be happy anywhere there’s a big TV and lots of toys (LOL).
But you probably expect more.
That’s why tours are so important.
When you visit us, you can ask questions. Simple questions, hard questions.
You can watch how your child interacts with the space.
Ultimately, after due diligence (recommendations, research) you have to go with your gut. The way you feel during the initial tour is a good indicator of how you’ll feel, daily, once your child enrolls.
We have no mandatory drop off time. Drop your child off early or late, whichever fits your schedule on a given day. We do appreciate notice about schedule changes, though. When you register your child at First Things, we reserve a spot for him or her. The only thing required is that you sign in your child at drop off.
Your child’s safety is our top priority. Here’s how we keep our students safe:
- The front door has a keypad entrance so that only screened adults can enter the building.
- Our indoor and outdoor camera system is monitored remotely.
- Fenced outdoor play spaces.
- Attentive teachers who monitor and play with students (cell phone use is minimal).
- Staffers are trained in pediatric CPR and First Aid.
- Play areas are hazard-free.
- Lunch and snacks monitored; food is served in bite-sized portions.
- Dangerous play is barred.
The first line of parent communication is speaking in person. Normally, this would take place at drop off or pick up.
Other ways we communicate with parents include:
- Phone calls. If the matter is urgent or time sensitive, we call parents.
- Printouts. We give parents hard copies of holiday schedules, fee changes, events, etc.
- Email newsletter. We send a monthly newsletter that’s mostly pictures but also contains timely information.
- Text. We send invoices and other information through the Daily Connect app.
- Social. We do sometimes make announcements on Facebook.
Parents are welcome and encouraged to speak to us at anytime in-person, on the phone, or via email.
No. First Things Child Care does not accept Montana’s Best Beginnings subsidy.
Although most of the time spent at First Things is spent playing (especially outdoors), our formal teaching process uses a phonics textbook to teach kids to read and write.
We practice counting numbers by using our fingers, the abacus, and rote memorization.
Number comparison is taught through verbal and visual explanations, including worksheets.
When reading to the students, the teacher will ask questions to gauge how much they understand.
Reading, writing, and numbers are the core of our educational program. As of now, a wholesale curriculum would not fit the mission of our program.
We think there is very limited value to a lot of trendy STEM and science curriculums. They’re usually unrealistic learning tools for kids under the age of six.