Missoula rally advocates for state childcare funding [Video]

MISSOULA — For many young Montana families, childcare is a necessity, but a local rally called on legislators to think about the consequences of a day without childcare.

Childcare providers, parents and legislators gathered at the Missoula County Courthouse on Monday to advocate for continued state and federal funding for childcare.

BriAnne Moline is the owner of Wild Wonders Early Learning Program, a home-based childcare center in Missoula. She’s worked in the childcare business for 13 years, has her bachelor’s degree in childhood learning and co-founded the Montana Family Childcare Network — an organization that trains new providers.

Moline organized the “Day for Early Childcare Education Rally” as a way to bring different representatives of the childcare industry together. The rally is part of a national movement, “Day Without Childcare,” which aims to show elected leaders and business owners the consequences of the lack of childcare in a community.

At the rally, Moline spoke about her own experience as a provider and her struggles …