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How Do I Find Child Care

Finding Child Care:

How Do I Find Child Care?

Colorado Shines provides parents research and helps parents find licensed, quality child care and preschool programs. Colorado Shines has each program’s location, hours, licensing status, and, most importantly, the Colorado Shines rating. To find quality programs near you, follow this step-by-step guide:

  • Decide what kind of care you need. The choices include preschool, family child care home, or Head Start.
     
  • Search for a quality child care program online or call the Colorado Shines Child Care Referral Line at Mile High United Way at 1-877-338-2273 for help finding a program.
     
  • Find out if you qualify for financial assistance.
     
  • Visit your top programs in person. Look at the environment. Watch the interactions between the professionals and the children. Ask lots of questions! Tip: Use this checklist when you visit programs. It includes a list of things to look for and the most important questions to ask. Make sure that:
    • Current license is posted and visible
    • Equipment is clean and in good repair
    • Electrical outlets are covered
    • Emergency route and emergency numbers are posted
    • The doors are locked and visitors are required to sign in
    • All toys are clean and in good condition
    • Playground has safe surfaces, is fenced, and has areas of sun and shade
       
  • Check references and records for your top programs. Ask for references from families who are currently using the program and families who have used the program in the past. Ask for contact information for families who have used the program in the past. Review the programs’ licensing records and Colorado Shines quality rating using the Colorado Shines search tool. Tip: Each program’s quality rating, licensing history, and monitoring reports are included in the program’s search results in the Colorado Shines search tool.
  • Choose a program. Confirm your child’s start date. If there is a waitlist, make sure to contact other programs you like to check availability. If necessary, add your child’s name to more than one program waitlist. This will help ensure a spot becomes open sooner. Many programs that care for infants and toddlers fill up quickly. Make sure you start your child care search early!
     
  • Stay involved. You are your child’s most important teacher! Staying involved both in your child’s program and at home will help your child thrive!
What if the program(s) I want are all full and have wait lists?

Add your child’s name to the waitlist of the programs you want and continue to look for other programs. Visit each program you are interested in and use the quality care checklist to find the best fit for your family.

For help finding a child care spot, you can also contact the Colorado Shines Child Care Referral Line at Mile High United Way at 1.877.338.2273.

Are there any programs that offer financial assistance for child care?

Yes! Financial assistance is available to families who may not be able to afford quality child care or preschool. The resources below will help you learn more about the programs and help you to see if you qualify for aid.

  • Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP). Colorado’s Department of Early Childhood offers child care subsidies for families who need help affording quality child care. CCCAP helps families that are homeless, working, searching for work, or in school find low-income child care assistance. Families that are enrolled in the Colorado Works Program can also use CCCAP services.
  • Each county's Department of Social/Human Services and the Colorado Department of Early Childhood manage the CCCAP program.  Each county sets eligibility requirements for families but must help families that have an income of 185% or less of the federal poverty guideline. Counties will not serve families that have an income over 85% of the state median income.
  • View the Family Income Guidelines for CCCAP eligibility. CCCAP Qualified Exempt Provider Inspection Reports for child care providers who are license-exempt and accept CCCAP may be viewed here.
Financial Assistance for Early Care and Learning Programs

Financial assistance is available to families who may not be able to afford quality child care or preschool. The resources on this page will help you learn more about the programs and help you to see if you qualify for aid.

  • Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP). Colorado’s Department of Early Childhood offers child care subsidies for families who need help affording quality child care. Learn more about the program and how to apply for assistance.
     
  • Denver Preschool Program (DPP). The Denver Preschool Program helps eligible Denver families pay for high-quality preschool. To qualify, families must reside in the City and County of Denver and have a four-year-old child enrolled at a participating program and in their last year of preschool before kindergarten.
     
  • 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 a learning environment that enhances their cognitive, social, and emotional development.
Universal Preschool (UPK) Colorado
Universal Preschool (UPK) Colorado allows families to choose the right setting for their child, whether it is in a licensed community-based, school-based or home-based preschool setting. Families of children in the year before they are eligible for kindergarten, and qualifying 3-year-olds, are able to apply for UPK Colorado.
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Contact Us

Raising Colorado Kids Guide is brought to you by the Colorado Office of Early Childhood.

For general help, call 1-800-799-5876 or email  cdhs_oec_communications@state.co.us

Contact Us

Raising Colorado Kids is brought to you by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood.

For general help, call 1-800-799-5876 or email  cdec_communications@state.co.us

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