Park County Early Childhood Care and Education

Serving Park County Families, Specializing in Early Childhood Care and Education

Need Help Finding Child Care?


Family Resource and Child Care Education assists families, free of charge, in locating licensed child care.  This Qualistar Partner maintains information on all licensed child care settings in Park County and throughout the state.  For more information call (877) 338-2273

See Qualistar Information and Advice below-Click here to go directly there

Child Care Assistance Program-Asistencia para encontrar la cuida de niños
Park County Department of Human Services-Departamento de Servicios Humanos de Park County
719-836-4139
Box 968
Fairplay, Colorado 80440
Ages Served:  Birth to 16 years
This program offers financial child care assistance.  Call for details.
Hours offered: M-F 8am-5pm

Qualistar
www.qualistar.org
Qualistar Early Learning is a statewide non-profit organization working with child care providers,
parents, and communities to improve the quality of early childhood education in Colorado.

En Espanol- http://sp.qualistar.org/  
Qualistar Early Learning es una organización sin fines de lucro a nivel estatal que trabaja con proveedores, padres,
y comunidades para mejorar la calidad de la educación temprana en Colorado.

*If you have questions regarding the licensing status or a provider or program, the Colorado Division of Child Care in Denver keeps files of all licensed providers, including complaints and violations.  These files are open to the public.  Call 1-800-799-5876 to request a copy of the files.  Additionally, if you have concerns about a provider please contact the proper licensing agent.  Reports about non-licensed child care providers should also be directed towards the following persons:

Park County:
info coming

Summit County:

licensed home child care providers                  Breann Vanden Brink, 970-668-9186

child care centers & school age programs       Sharon Kelley, 970-879-1948

Park County Child Care and Preschools


Preschools:

Edith Teter Preschool
719-836-4416
Director: Carla Scholl
782 Hathaway
Fairplay, Colorado 80440
Ages Served:  2 1/2years -5 years
Hours:  AM or PM Session
Follows school year calendar/Scholarships available.  Call for info

Bristlecone Montessori School
719-836-1860 (primary and lower elementary), 719-836-2552 (Young Children’s Community – YCC)
Director:  Jessie Hoehn
Box 236
Alma, Colorado 80420
Ages Served:  YCC: 18 months – approximately 2.5 years, Primary: approximately 2.5 years – 6, Lower Elementary: grades 1-3
Hours:  AM (9am-noon), Full-day (9am-4pm), Before-school Care 7:30am-9am
Montessori education.  Follows the Park Country academic school calendar.
Bristlecone Montessori School is a non-profit authentic Montessori
school located in downtown Alma. We currently serve 22 children between
the ages of 18 months and 3rd grade. Jessie, the director and head teacher received her American Montessori
International (AMI) training in St. Louis, MO and has over 12 years of
classroom experience. For more information, please contact Jessie at 719-836-1860.
www.bristleconemontessori.org

Deer Creek Preschool

Box 295 Bailey, CO  80421

Ages served:  3 – 6 years

Hours:  M – TH, AM and PM sessions, follows school year calendar

Description:  Integrated preschool program, special education services. Children may qualify for free preschool if their environment might affect later school success.

Call: Marilyn Sturek  303-679-7594

 

 

Child Garden School 

27071 Barkley Rd. Conifer, CO Mailing: P.O. Box 889 Conifer, CO  80433

Ages served:  6 weeks - 12 years

Hours:  M – F 6:00a.m. - 6:00p.m.

Description:  FT, PT, half days, curriculum for every age group, in business 25 years. Licensed and Certified in CPR.

Call: Corrine Meyer  303-838-2627

 

Montessori School of Conifer

25782 Vosler St., Conifer, CO  80433 

Ages served: 2.5 to- 5yrs

Hours:  M – F, 7am – 5:30pm

Description: Montessori curriculum

Website: http://www.montessoriofconifer.com Email: info@montessoriofconifer.com

Call: Suzy Schmittel  303-838-2444 

 



Licensed Family Child Care Homes Fairplay:
Encuentra alguién que cuida niños en la casa
(All parents are encouraged to interview providers to find best fit.)

Small Paws
719-836-2176
Provider:  Mindy Sagmoen
Box 56
Fairplay, Colorado 80440
Ages Served: 2yrs-12yrs
Hours:  Year round M-F 7am-5:30pm
Pre-school; meals; F/T, P/T

Pumpkin Patch Kids

719-836-3233
Provider:  Sunny Pool
Fairplay, Colorado 80440
Ages Served: 6 weeks and up
Hours: 7:30 am-5:30 pm
 
Little Bear Child Care
719-836-1492
Provider:  Marlene Northrop
495 8th Street
Fairplay, Co 80440
Monday - Friday
 
Licenced Child Care Bailey, Conifer and Pine
 

 

 

Dianne Smith’s Childcare

126 Crestview Lane, Bailey, CO  80421

Ages served:  Birth – 12 years

Hours:  M- F   6:00a.m. - 6:00p.m.

Description:  FT and PT, meals, 20 years experience. Licensed and certified in CPR.

Call: Dianne Smith  303-838-4589

 

Kristen Ellis

P.O. Box 1102 Bailey, CO  80421

Ages served: Birth – 12 years

Hours: M-TH, 6:30a.m. – 6:00p.m.

Description:  Licensed childcare since 2000 - former preschool/pre- K teacher with 15 years experience in preschool and childcare. FT and PT, before and after school care.

Childcare and morning preschool program, 2 snacks and lunch provided. Large outdoor playground area.

Call: Kristen Ellis  303-838-1096

 

Little Friends

1463 Burland DR Bailey, CO mailing: P.O. Box 1165, Bailey, CO   80421

Ages served: Birth – 12 years

Hours: Days and hours vary, call for availability.

Description:  FT & PT, meals, preschool activities and outings. Licensed and certified in CPR.  Over 10 years experience.

Email:crystal1463@msn.com

Call: Crystal Sublette 303-838-8104

 

MARY HAMAN’S CHILDCARE

2213 Roland Dr., Bailey, CO 80421  

Ages served: Birth & up

Hours: M – F, 6:00am – 6:30pm

Description:  FT & PT, before and after school care. Licensed.

Call: Mary Haman 720-530-6344

 

Pam’s Pooh Corner

52 Aspen Lane, Pine, CO  80470

Ages served:  Birth – 12 years

Hours: M - F, 6am – 6pm

Description: FT & PT preschool program, meals included. Licensed for 14 years with certification in cpr, first aid, universal precautions and medicinal administration.

Call: Pamela Di Rubbo  303-838-4803

 

SHARON EYRE CHILDCARE HOME

466 Gunsmoke DR. Bailey

Ages served: Birth – 12 years

Hours:  Call for availability

Call: Sharon Eyre  303-838-7881

 

SHERER CLOSE TO HOME CHILDCARE

119 Quakie Way, Bailey, CO 80421

Ages served: 6 months – 10 years

Hours:  M – F, 6am - 6pm

Description:  Meals included, before and after school care, CCAP accepted.

Call: April Sherer  303-838-7899

 

Virginia’s Daycare

313 Impala Trail/ Bailey CO 80421

Ages Served: Birth-12years

Hours: M-F 6:00am-6:30pm

Description: FT/PT, meals and snacks provided in a loving environment.

Call: Virginia Leaman  303-838-2432

 

 
Playgroups:

Fairplay- Family Resource Center
Centro de Recursos para la Familia
Contact:  719-836-4416
Box 189
Fairplay, Colorado 80440
Ages Served:  Birth-3 years
Description:  Free developmentally appropriate playtime, music, art, story-time and snack.  Open to any child 0-3 years and caregiver adult.  No registration is needed, sign in upon arrival.
Hours:  During school year calendar/ Tuesday 9:15am-10:15am or Thursday 11:15am-12:15am.  Call for more information.

 

 

 

BAILEY-Deer Creek Preschool

Ages served:  Birth to 3, older sibling welcome

Hours:  Fridays 9:00 -10:30

Description: FREE program that runs during the school year.  Playgroup open to all children typical and special needs. Program offers music, art, field trips and developmentally appropriate play.

Call: Shari Jensen  303-838-1169

 
MOPS Mothers of Preschoolers 

Bailey Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) – Platte Canyon Community Church – 4954 Cnty Rd 64 mailing: Box 147, Bailey, CO  80421

Ages served: Pregnancy to 6 years old

Hours: Every 1st & 3rd Thurs from 9:00-11:30.

Description:  Christian mothers outreach group. Includes group discussions, informative speakers, crafts, refreshments, and childcare.

Website: www.mops.org

Contact the Church: 303-838-4409

 

For more info on all MOPS groups and directions go to the website: http://www.mops.org

 
 
 
CHILDCARE RESOURCES:
 
 

Child Care Assistance Program

824 Castello Ave., Fairplay, CO

This program can help qualifying families pay for child care. Serving all Park County.

Call:  719–836-4139

 

Child Care Innovations

As a contracted partner of Qualistar Early Learning, Child Care Innovations operates a Child Care Resource and Referral Agency, serving Park and 7 additional counties.

Website: http://www.rrcc.edu/childcareinnovations

Website: www.qualistar.org

Call: 1-877-338-CARE

 

To view complaints made about licensed childcare through the Colorado Department of Human Services, go the their website and input your location of interest.

Website: https://gateway.cdhs.state.co.us/cccls/PublicFileReview.aspx


Qualistar Information
Working your way through the childcare maze.
(info from Qualistar Guide for Parents)

Child Care Centers and Preschools                                            
What is it?                                                                                                  
Care is provided in a setting similar to school where                    
there may be many classrooms, and children are                          
usually grouped by age.  Child Care Centers and                         
Preschools are regulated by the Colorado                                   
Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care.              
                                                                                                  

Pros                                                                                           
-Last minute closers due to provider illness is unlikely                   
-Frequently offers a child development or preschool                     
curriculum                                                                                   
-Facility is inspected for health, safety and fire code                     
compliance

Cons                                                                                          
-High turnover of staff can be common                                        
-Some children may not adapt well to large group settings              
-Usually does not have flexible schedule                                      

Family Home Child Care
What is it?                  
Your child is cared for in a home (not a relative's)
that has been licensed by the state to provide child
care.  Family Home Child Care is regulated by the
Colorado Department of Human Services, Division of
Child Care and must meet different licensing requirements
depending on the type of the facility.

Pros
-Allows you to choose the individual who will care for your child
-Smaller group of children in a home-like environment
-May offer flexible hours
-May include a child development or preschool curriculum

Cons
-When individual is sick or on vacation, other plans for care
  will need to be made
-A single adult is usually alone with a group of children


School
Age
Children
Children
Under
age of 2
Max #
of
Children
6+2 License
2
2
8
3 under2
License
0
3
6
Infant/Toddler
License
0
3
(under 1
year)
4
Large Family Home
License
up to 122
12
(with 2 providers
present
Experienced
Child Care
Provider
Many options included in this license.  All will be listed on the providers license. 
Max # of children in care range from 7-9


Questions to ask Child Care Provider

1.  Is this program licensed by the sate?
2.  Do you have a Qualistar Rating?
3.  Is this program accredited by a nationally recognized organization such as the National Association for the Education of Young Children?
4.  What are the hours you are open?  Are you flexible with those hours.  Are there additional charges for late pick up?
5.  What days are you closed for holidays, vacations or staff training?
6.  What is the age range of the children in your care?
7.  How many children are in each classroom or in your home?
8.  What is the provider to child ratio?
9.  How long have you and the other providers been here?
10.  Can I have a copy of your policies or parent handbook?
11.  How will my child spend their day?  Tell me about their typical schedule.
12.  Tell me about your philosophy regarding caring for children?
13.  Do you have a contract and policy statement that I need to sign?
14.  What kinds of training has the staff had?  Are you First Aid and CPR certified?
15.  May I have a list of current parents I can contact for feedback on your program?
16.  What procedures do you have in place when a medical emergency occurs?
17.  What kind of education do the providers have?  What additional educational opportunities are the providers given?
18.  What kind of daily communication can I expect from you?
19.  Are there opportunities for me to participate or be involved in the program?
20.  Do you go on field trips?  Who drives?  Do you have car seats?
21.  How do you deal with behavior problems and discipline?
22.  How do you involve children with special needs?

During your interview ask questions regarding the provider's style and your style of discipline and procedures you are currently
working on at home.  An example of this would be, how is potty training handled while in the provider's care?  Are you comfortable
with that style, can it be one that is adapted both at home and in the child care setting?