Bitterroot Early Learning Center

The Bitterroot Early Learning Center, located at 1065 Tefft Street in Corvallis, Montana is a real treasure!



I appreciate what BELC (Bitterroot Early Learning Center) does to instill the sense of "school" with my daughter rather than providing merely "daycare" services. My daughter has forged many positive relationships in the year she has been at BELC and enjoys her friends and teachers very much. Her verbal, non-verbal, and motor skills are advancing leaps and bounds; much of which I attribute to BELC. They make learning such fun that I don't think my daughter (three years old) ever realizes she is in a school setting.



Every member of the staff is very helpful and understanding with any need a parent or child could have. I am confident to know that not only is my daughter looked well after on a daily basis but her mental and physical needs are met as well. BELC has gone above any expectations I could have. As an example, we are greeted every morning with a teacher who welcomes my daughter into the class, chats with her for a moment and then offers her breakfast. At pick up, the teacher will give me an update on my daughter's day and point out one or two special moment's that happened.



An additional benefit with BELC is they offer the ability to enroll my daughter in swim lessons, dance lessons and gymnastics during the day. These extra programs are through local vendors who do these activities full time. I was offered the opportunity to check each one out before enrolling her, which I did. I am very happy with these extra classes, and love the idea that it happens during class time, which frees up after-school time for other activities.



There are also several special events the BELC will host throughout the year. A few we have enjoyed are the special Halloween "trick or treat" event, the Holiday concert, and a special Valentine's Day dinner out, where students and their siblings were invited to stay and play at BELC while the parents were able to go out to dinner.



For those new to the area and looking for a daycare, I can tell you we moved from Chicago where both my son (8) and daughter (3) attended Goddard School for several years. BELC is comparable in both the caring atmosphere and the ownership. In fact, LaRee Jessop, the owner, is always on-site and always engaged in what is going on. This makes all the difference in the world. I couldn't be happier with BELC, a real treasure in the Bitterroot!

Bitterroot Early Learning Center (BELC) is our daycare because they are a dependable, clean and an education-centered facility. We truly appreciate how accommodating they are to our work schedules. It is easy to see that the owner strives to provide an environment where every child is loved by their teachers.



Education is a key part of their everyday routine. In each of the four classrooms, they offer educational activities geared for the different age groups. It is so fun to hear how my children love going to daycare and learning new experiences, like learning about music, counting to 10 in Spanish or taking a pretend trip to Africa.



BELC provides nutritious breakfast, lunch and snacks as a part of the tuition. This is a stress-relief for busy families to know their child is receiving a variety of foods without packing a lunch for them every day.



We also appreciate the opportunity for extracurricular activities offered to toddlers, preschool and school-age youth. They coordinate and drive the children to activities such as swimming, dance and gymnastic lessons.



We love practically everything about BELC and feel fortunate to have such a wonderful daycare in the valley!

Bitterroot Early Learning Center is a wonderful, nurturing center that helps children achieve milestones of early childhood in a positive, safe, and healthy environment. There are four classrooms (Infant, Toddler, Preschool, and School-Age) and each has a developmentally appropriate curriculum to follow to ensure children’s success academically, physically, emotionally, and socially. They welcome and encourage family involvement while treating any information about children and families confidentially. The staff is trained in early childhood development and education, always seeking to become better and more knowledgeable, in addition to being certified in CPR/First aid. The cook is able to makes delicious, healthy, made-from-scratch breakfasts, lunches, and snacks that even the most picky eaters love and the kids enjoy family style meals with their peers and caregivers. Outside activities include swim lessons, gymnastics, and dance classes with field trips scheduled to enhance children’s knowledge of the world around them. The center is committed to promoting child development and education, while recognizing each child is unique and worthy of the best care in this valuable stage of learning; they work on building a relationship with the family and community, and take every opportunity to grow in knowledge and experience as members of the early childhood profession.

BELC is the best! The center has been the perfect fit for our family. From the moment my three children started attending the center when we moved to the area nearly two years ago, the staff has loved and cared for our children and have gone above and beyond to ensure my kids have the best experience possible. My kids love going to the center and have flourished socially and academically. My 4-year-old son will turn five on the Kindergarten cut-off date. There was a time I was certain we would delay Kindergarten by a year because of his age, but now I can’t wait for him to begin without delay because I’m confident he’s ready thanks to his incredible teachers. In addition to being such a positive experience for my children, the center offers everything I want as a working parent. BELC is conveniently open until 6 p.m. and was open normal hours on every snow day and late start this winter. I’ve even called the center from an airport several times to ask for my oldest child to be picked up at the primary school because my flight was delayed. It’s so reassuring to know that I have dependable and convenient care for my children. The center has truly been a blessing for our family and I strongly recommend BELC to anyone looking for a care provider for their family.

Bitterroot Early Learning Center is a place that truly cares for children and, not only assists helping children develop necessary skills they will need for becoming who they will be, but also creates a stimulating and cheerful environment for children to have fun at the same time. The staff is wholeheartedly dedicated to promoting academic excellence for children and making joyful memories that will last a lifetime in the lives of the kiddos that are part of the BELC family.



The staff is highly trained in early childhood social-emotional development and childhood education. The safety of each and every child is a number one priority for BELC, as all of the staff is First Aid certified, CPR certified, and trained in Medication Administration.



The center has an Infant Room (3 mo.-2 yrs.), a Toddler Room (2-4 yrs.), a Preschool Room (3-5 yrs.), and an After-school Program Room (school age). The center features special activities for children such as swimming, gymnastics, and dancing.



I highly recommend Bitterroot Early Learning Center for any family considering daycare in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana.

Because it's not just a child they're concerned about.

It's your child.

And they deserve the best.

I have worked at Bitterroot Early Learning Center for three years. My job is to cook well-balanced, nutritious breakfasts, lunches and snacks. Our staff is friendly and dedicated. Our #1 priority is the safety and well-being of the children. BELC has four classrooms geared towards age appropriate activities. BELC offers swimming, gymnastics and dance classes as well as field trips for the after school program. I look forward to coming to work everyday because the kids bring a smile to my face and a song to my heart.

ME AND MY HUSBAND LOVE BELC. THE OWNER WELCOMES OUR FAMILY WITH OPEN ARMS AND RUNS A SOILD DAYCARE/PRESCHOOL THAT TEACHES EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATIONS.

MY THREE YR OLD'S CLASS HAS DAILY SCHEDULES WITH LANUAGE, READINGS,ARTS,SCIENCE, MUSIC AND PLAYTIME EVERY SUBJECT IS TAUGHT IN A PLAYFUL FUN WAY. THE TEACHERS ARE RESPONSABLE, ENTHUSIASTIC AND WELL PREPARED WITH VARIETY ACTIVITIES THAT CHANGE REGULARLY SO OUR CHILDREN LEARN NEW SKILLS. THEY ALSO LEARN TO TAKE CARE OF THEMSELFS AND TO RESPECT OTHERS . BELC ALSO OFFERS ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL FOR AGES AS YOUNG AS 2 YRS OF AGE LIKE SWIMMING LESSONS, GYMNASTIS AND DANCE, THE LESSON ARE SPLIT UP IN AGES GROUPS AND HOSED THE SAME TIME EACH WEEK WITH TRANSPORTATION, AND TEXT MESSAGE REMINDERS. BELC IS A CLEAN, SANITARY AND OBSERVES SAFETY INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. I CAN NOT SAY ENOUGH ABOUT BELC. MY FAMILY IS BLESSED TO BE A PART OF THE AMAZING DAYCARE...



MAL C

I have 2 kids (a 5 year old and a 2 year old) who have both been at BELC since they were 3 months old. BELC has 4 different classrooms so they have been able to grow and learn in environments that were geared to their age group. The teachers are able to concentrate on teaching lessons that are appropriate for the age groups and the kids are able to interact with their peers.

My 5 year old started kindergarten this year and she was so well prepared both educationally and socially. She has really excelled in kindergarten and much of the reason is due to the solid foundation she received at BELC.

As a working mom having a center that has a before and after school program is priceless. I don’t have to worry about the hours before or after school because my daughter has a safe place to go. They even drop her off and pick her up from school! I also don’t have to worry about days where there is a school delay, early out or no school. BELC always has fun educational activity planned.

BELC also takes my kids to dance, swim lessons and gymnastics. These are activities that they wouldn’t be able to attend if it wasn’t for BELC because class times occur when I am at work.

Most importantly BELC is a place where my kids are loved and kept safe during the day. They are excited in the morning to see their teachers and don’t want to leave when we come pick them up. I am so thankful for BELC and the wonderful teachers there. BELC is an amazing place and I trust them with the 2 of the things that matter to me most…my kids.

Bitterroot Early Learning Center is a wonderful daycare/preschool that encourages a positive, safe, and caring environment. They focus on early life skills and early education allowing each child to grow and flourish in their own unique way while having fun doing so. The teachers are the most kind, caring staff I have met in a daycare setting that actually want to see your children achieve greatness everyday.

Worst Daycare in Montana. Owner changed name to hide bad reports. Has since lost a kid for who knows how long not even knowing he was gone. Look at investigations of this daycare. Also they go thru emplyees alot