Early Alpine Academy / Kelly Stratton
Data last updated · May 2026
Quality Indicators
See Methodology →- Overall QualityCombines daily care quality (interactions, learning, environment) with structural features like staff-to-child ratios and teacher qualifications.5 / 5
- Process QualityThe quality of daily care — caregiver-child interactions, learning activities, and the emotional climate. Drawn from the state QRIS rating, accreditations, and Head Start CLASS observations.Not Available
- Structural QualityMeasurable features like staff-to-child ratios, group sizes, license status, and teacher qualifications. Provider-level data when available; otherwise the state regulatory baseline.5 / 5
Why this rating
This daycare earned 5 out of 5 stars overall. Structural quality reflects a license in good standing. The structural rating also includes Montana's licensing baseline — what every licensed daycare in the state must meet. Montana caps infant ratios at 1:4, toddler ratios at 1:6, and preschool ratios at 1:10. Lead teachers must hold a High School Diploma. Teachers must complete 16 hours of annual training. No objective process measures (e.g., state quality rating or national accreditation) are available for this daycare. The overall rating reflects structural features only.
Quality Recognitions & Accreditations
- Accreditations
- National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)Not Accredited
- National Accreditation Commission (NAC)Not Accredited
- National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA)Not Accredited
- National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC)Not Accredited
Facility Info
- Facility type
- Child Care Center
- Age groups served
- Infants
- Licensed capacity
- Not Available
- Teacher-child ratios & group sizesState Minimum Displayed
Age Max ratio Max group Infants 1:4 12
Teacher Credentials
- Lead teacher credentialState Minimum Displayed
- High School Diploma
Inspection History
Across 3 inspections since 2025, the issues cited most often were Licensing & Administrative Compliance (3). None of the 3 findings were critical.
See All 3 Inspection Visits
May 27, 20261 Finding1 Administrative
- Renewal Inspection — Teri Whitesitt
Jun 24, 20251 Finding1 Administrative
- Initial-New Inspection — Teri Whitesitt
Apr 1, 20251 Finding1 Important
- Pre-Inspection — Teri Whitesitt