Flathead Childcare expands with two new locations

After opening in Kalispell in 2023, Flathead Childcare has expanded opening child care facilities in Whitefish and Columbia Falls.  

“[Our] mission is to provide high-quality, nurturing childcare that truly supports families in our community,” Mishael Jelley, owner of Flathead Childcare, said. “Over time, we’ve seen a growing need for child care in both Columbia Falls and Whitefish, and we decided to expand.” 

Jelley owns Flathead Childcare alongside her brother, Mark Vogel. Originally from Northwest Montana, the pair grew up with almost a dozen siblings. Child care has always been a part of their lives, from taking care of siblings to looking for childcare for their own nieces, nephews and children.  

The mission of Flathead Childcare, Jelley said, is to create a warm, engaging environment where kids can learn through hands on play, experiences and meaningful connections.  

The new Columbia Falls location is in the basement of the Columbia Falls United Methodist Church in a space that was formally a different child care facility. 

In Whitefish, Jelley and Vogel took on Bright Minds, which is now called Bright Minds at Flathead Childcare Inc.  

Jelley has four kids of her own and has always loved caring for kids, leading her to start a nannying service in her home. She joined Light of Life daycare on staff in 2023 and when the owner expressed interest in selling, Jelley jumped on the idea.  

“I wasn’t planning on getting into child care, it just kept coming back to me,” Jelley, a graduate of a culinary arts school, said sitting in the new Columbia Falls location. “I’m also very passionate about how kids should be treated... This is where I am supposed to be.” 

Kids are the roots of the community, Jelley said; taking care of them grows and strengthens the community.  

The conversation surrounding a shortage of child care options have increased in recent years.  

The pandemic worsened the child care shortage, according to a March 2024 Montana Department of Labor and Industry report, leading to a loss of nearly 11,000 licensed child care slots in 2020. Costs continue to grow exponentially as well, both to pay for child care and to run a child care business.  

Licensed child care capacity meets only 44% of estimated demand in the state. In Flathead County in 2023, child care capacity met 31% Flathead County’s demand, the report states.  

Jelley and Vogel knew that they wanted to expand Flathead Childcare’s reach when they purchased Light of Life. They rebranded into Flathead Childcare, Inc. in November of 2023 and opened the new locations officially in January.  

“It’s really about adding more availability for child care in more locations,” Vogel said.  

The philosophy the facilities run under, according to Jelley, have an underlying notion of play and respect.  

“I believe that kids really do deserve respect and to be treated as they have value,” she said. “These kids are smart. And they learn a lot through play.” 

Kids spend as much time as possible outside when they can, utilizing lawn spaces outside, parks and more. She tries to incorporate gardening in the summer months as well.  

“Natural learning has been the slogan the whole time, and Mishael has been really into that,” Vogel said. The root of the business, Jelley said, is caring for young hearts and growing community roots.  

Flathead Childcare, Inc. accepts children from 6 weeks to 12 years old. They provide breakfast, lunch and a snack, all sourced locally when possible. While the recent expansion was a big jump, Jelley hopes to continue moving forward, maybe spreading into west Kalispell or opening a facility catered to children with special needs.  

“I do think parents and kids need security, to know that there is a safe place, that there is somebody there who cares,” Jelley said.  

For more information, visit flatheadchildcare.com. 

Reporter Kate Heston may be reached at 758-4459 or kheston@dailyinterlake.com.