Bozeman Public School District contracts with the Gallatin Valley YMCA to provide early childhood childcare via the Hawks Nest, located within Bozeman High School. The program primarily serves the childcare needs of teen parents within the district, along with district employees. The contract with the YMCA expired on August 31, 2023. The YMCA was offered a contract extension and has provided the district with their desire to end their contractual obligation on December 31, 2023.
The district is moving forward with a request for proposal (RFP) process HERE, to ensure continuity of care with a new vendor/provider beginning January 1, 2024. We appreciate the long-standing partnership with the Gallatin Valley YMCA and thank them for their years of partnership with the Hawks Nest. We also appreciate the lead time they are providing the district by continuing service and childcare programming to families served in the Hawks Nest through the end of the calendar year.
Child Care Connections, which serves as the child care resource and referral agency locally, is supporting the district with guidance regarding the RFP, as well as serving as a conduit for sharing the RFP with local nonprofit and for-profit childcare providers. If you have any questions regarding the RFP process feel free to reach out to Mike Waterman, Executive Director Business and Operations mike.waterman@bsd7.org.
We acknowledge the anxiety and uncertainty this announcement may create for families and parents served in the Hawks Nest. Bozeman Public Schools is committed to maintaining the important programming and childcare at the Hawks Nest and looks forward to partnering with a new community partner.
Best,

Casey Bertram, Superintendent