Early Care & Education Information & Resources

Early care and education options for families include resources on military installations for military families, as well as community-based family (in-home) child care and center-based care. For information on community services:

Child Care Resource & Referral line: 877-338-2273

This custom referral line is available to help find early care and education providers in El Paso, Teller, and Elbert Counties that meet each family’s needs.

Colorado Shines (www.coloradoshines.com)

Colorado Shines is a quality rating and improvement system for Colorado’s licensed early care and learning programs. This website allows families to search for early childhood programs utilizing information such as location, hours, licensing and the Colorado Shines quality rating.

Alliance for Kids/FamilySPEAK

Alliance for Kids (AFK) is one of thirty-one Early Childhood Councils in the State of Colorado. AFK serves El Paso County. FamilySPEAK is an online resource maintained by Alliance for Kids to provide family/parent education, information and support. For more information, visit https://familyspeak.org/

Financial Assistance:

Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP)
Colorado’s Office of Early Childhood offers child care subsidies for families who need help affording quality child care. For more information, including eligibility, visit: http://coloradoofficeofearlychildhood.force.com/oec/OEC_Families?p=Family&s=Colorado-Child-Care-Assistance-Program&lang=en

Colorado Preschool Program (CPP)
The Colorado Preschool Program is a state-funded early childhood education program administered by the Colorado Department of Education. Children who are eligible for CPP have the opportunity to attend half-day or full-day preschool or full-day kindergarten at a reduced cost. For more information, visit: http://www.cde.state.co.us/cpp/familyinfo

Head Start/Early Head Start Program
Head Start promotes school readiness for children from low-income families. From birth to age five, Head Start provides children with a learning environment that enhances their cognitive, social and emotional development. For general information, visit: http://coloradoofficeofearlychildhood.force.com/oec/OEC_Families?p=Family&s=Head-Start-Early-Head-Start&lang=en

CPCD…giving children a head start provides Head Start/Early Head Start programs in El Paso County. For more information, visit https://www.cpcdheadstart.org/ or call 719-635-1536

Other Information and Resources

• Fort Carson Child Youth & School Services: https://carson.armymwr.com/programs/cys-services
• Peterson AFB Airman & Family Readiness, including links to the Child Development Center, Family Child Care and Youth Center: https://www.21fss.com/about/airman-family-readiness/
• Schriever AFB Child Development Center and links to Family Child Care and School Age programs: https://50fss.com/child-development-center/
• USAFA 10th Force Support Squadron (click link to Youth & Family Services): https://www.usafasupport.com/
• National Association for the Education of Young Children (national organization providing information and resources): naeyc.org
• Child Care Aware: https://usa.childcareaware.org/about/ including programs for military families (http://usa.childcareaware.org/fee-assistancerespite/)
• The Resource Exchange (serves children and adults – and their families – with intellectual and developmental disabilities): https://www.tre.org/
• Peak Parent Center (provides training, information and technical assistance for families of children birth through twenty-six including all disability conditions with strategies to advocate successfully for their children): https://www.peakparent.org/