Billings Daycare Offers Your Child a Trip Back in Time: Lots of Outdoor Play, 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
Serving kids ages 1–6’ish
Call or Text 406-534-3442. info@firstthingschildcare.com
Mon–Fri: 7:30 am–5:30 pm
"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."
What Makes Our Daycare Different?
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Zero screen time: We don’t watch TV, movies, or play video games. Ever. Not even for 5 minutes while preparing lunch. It helps that we have none of the required hardware onsite.
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Outdoor-first: Kids spend 2–4 hours outside daily, in all seasons—much longer than is typical for kids in Billings Public Schools.
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Small‑scale “family home” setting: Licensed by Montana’s DPHHS. More personal than a child-care center but larger than an in‑home daycare.
Formal & Informal Learning Opportunities
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Reading before Kindergarten: We teach reading and sound formation through phonics starting at age four
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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, extended conversations, supervised unstructured play, seasonal events
Our 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 while 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 hyper nor exhausted.
(Parents often notice that their children go to bed without hassle after enrolling at First Things.)
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 |
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.
(We offer full and part-time child care. We offer half-days, flex scheduling, and after-school care on a limited basis. Currently, we do not pick up children. Tuition rates are competitive. We accept Best Beginnings.)
