Early Childhood Education

Each program provides a schedule to families at the start of the school year. The following is a sample of a typical daily schedule:

• A balance of child-selected, teacher-directed activities that support children’s development in the following areas: Social/Emotional, Physical, Gross Motor, Language/Literacy, Math, and Cognitive. We provide at least one hour of outside activity time, unless severe weather is present. We provide two snacks as well as lunch, and a nap/rest time to support the child’s physical needs.
• We aim to honor, respect, and preserve the home language of every child and family that we enroll in our program, at the same time helping the children progress in their English skills. Classroom instruction is done in both the English and Spanish language. Outside resources and support will be located, to the extent feasible, for children and families who speak a language other than English or Spanish.
• We offer an Infant/Toddler program at Eagle Valley Elementary School and Edwards Early Learning Center.  

For information on enrollment or registration for our Infant/Toddler program, please contact Kenzie Davidson at (970) 328-3127.

Vision

• To provide tools and resources to children, families, and staff so they become thinkers and doers, ensuring everyone reachers their highest potential. 

Goals

• Better prepare children for school achievement by supporting their physical, cognitive, social and emotional growth as demonstrated on child assessments.
• Develop trusting and collaborative relationships with parents to support them as they nurture the development of their children.
• Provide families support and connections to resources in an environment that ensures a comprehensive, integrated array of services for families.
• Provide high-quality responsive services for children and families through the development of highly trained, caring, and adequately compensated program staff.

• Each program has at least a full-time certified Preschool Director, Teaching Assistants that either have or are working towards an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, and an assigned certified Special Education Teacher with a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Special Education.

There are a limited number of spots in our program, and availability varies by year and by location. If you would like more information about these programs or to get on the waitlist, please call the Early Childhood Office at 970-328-3942.

We have preschool programs at six of our elementary schools in the valley. Extended Day care is also available through 5:00 p.m. each day, and summer programming is available for a limited number of students. You can contact Jody Ejnes, Operations Coordinator, at 970-328-3947 with any questions in regard to Extended Day or Preschool Plus.

• Brush Creek Elementary School | 970-328-3908
  • Hours of Operation: 7:50 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (half day 7:50 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.) 
• Eagle Valley Elementary School | 970-328-5720
  • Hours of Operation: 7:50 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (half day 7:50 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.) 
• Edwards Early Learning Center | 970-328-2990
  • Hours of Operation: 7:50 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (half day 7:50 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.) 
• Gypsum Elementary School | 970-328-9251
  • ​​​​​​​Hours of Operation: 7:50 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (half day 7:50 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.) 
• Homestake Peak School | 970-569-5054
  • ​​​​​​​Hours of Operation: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (half day 8:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.)    
• Red Hill Elementary School | 970-328-6195
  • Hours of Operation: 7:50 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (half day 7:50 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.) 
• Red Sandstone Elementary School | 970-328-4199
  • Hours of Operation: 7:50 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (half day 7:50 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.)   

We are a fee-based program. However, tuition assistance through Head Start, the Colorado Preschool Program and the Colorado Childcare Assistance Program (CCAP) is available. Fees are determined each year. 

Please contact Nora Tellez, ECE Secretary, with any Tuition questions at (970) 328-2991.

Download the tuition fee schedule (also available in Spanish).