State expanding early childhood education pilot program

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Credit Dan Boyce

Caregiver Amanda Hatch plays with two-year-old Maya at her day care center Katerpillar Korner in Helena.

Governor Steve Bullock is looking to put more focus into early childhood education—that is, education before a kid is five years old. Bullock said Montana ranks near the bottom of states in investment in early ed.

However, state spending did increase this past legislative session by nearly $2 and a half million dollars.

Capitol Reporter Dan Boyce says that money will go toward increasing a ranking program for day-care centers called the Best Beginnings Stars to Quality Program.