"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."
"You truly have a fantastic program and I’m grateful to have found it. It was a wonderful experience."
"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."
"Whatever you’re doing… keep doing. He loved coming there and normally he didn’t want to leave the house. Very happy we chose your school."
"First thing she says when she gets in the car is 'I had fun today!' She loves it there. Thank you!"
Welcome parents of kids ages 2+ to 6’ish,
We’re a different kind of Billings daycare (Heights).
You can find us right behind Soda Station and Taco Bell. We’re two minutes from Target, MetraPark, and Gainan’s Greenhouse.
How are we different? Well, for starters, we take outside time very seriously.
We’re outside two, three, even four hours every day, year round.
For comparison, Billings Public Schools sends their K-5 kids outside for about 15-20 minutes each day.
(Yes, really!)
But putting that aside for now…
You’ll find everything here that you’d expect at a regular daycare: free play, games, circle time, naptime, singing, lunch, and snacks.
(What you won’t find is a TV, movie screen, or tablet. You might be surprised, but kids don’t miss screen time when they have other choices.)
But there’s more, too, because at this Billings daycare…
We teach your child to love reading before Kindergarten
Enrolling now for Summer 2025
You can find out daycare specifics on the About page. We’re a “group” home (bigger than an in-home daycare, smaller than a child care center).
Don’t worry if your child has no interest in reading, stories, or even sitting still.
He or she will still benefit tremendously from our program.
Truth be told, almost any kid would do well in our high-energy, low-stimulus environment.
Our schedule is the “secret sauce.”
It’s the careful mix of learning, free play, and outdoor time that makes kids grow in ability, confidence, and positive social skills.
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.
Meet the Director of First Things
Hi, I’m Mike (Mr. Mike or “Teacher” to the kids), the director of First Things Child Care.
I’ve lived in Billings since 2019 and opened the daycare after interning for 1500 hours at an afterschool program on the West End.
I have four children of my own and they often visit First Things.
A good amount of the programming at our daycare comes via a husband-wife team in Virginia, who opened five successful child care centers.
I read about their programs 20 years ago and have always kept it in mind as a possibility for copying (with credit).
But what has really bothered me since… forever, is how rare it is to see kids outside playing.
Quick story. I used to take my kids to play on the lawn at West High School. I’d let them wander some.
Always, nice and well-meaning strangers would stop their cars. They’d say “Are they with you?”
It’s odd to see a parent not hovering over their kids outdoors!
Another fact of modern life. Kids spend a lot more time on their devices than they do playing outside.
That’s true in childcare, too.
Outdoor play is an afterthought for most daycares and preschools.
At First Things, my goal is to normalize outdoor play. All kinds. Whether it’s digging in the mud, building rock mounds, or playing sharks and minnows, outdoor play here is simply what we do.
(If that means not having the time to explain the concept of calendars to 4-yo’s, so be it. Developmentally, the time concept is too abstract to grasp for them anyway.)
Here’s my thought. Outdoor play is too important to be associated only with field trips.
In fact, we DON’T take field trips purposely because a) we want kids to experience cool places with their parents first, and b) we want our kids to have such steady, consistent fun here (in all weather) that BIG field trips aren’t really necessary.
You can read more about me and my credentials on the Praise page.
When you’re ready, call to schedule your no-pressure, no-obligation 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.
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 simple explanation.
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.