Announcement: Universal Preschool Colorado family applications are now open. Click here for more information.

Raising CO Kids Guide
Being a Good Partner in My Child’s Education
Finding Child Care:
Being a Good Partner in My Child’s Education As the person who knows your child best, you are a critical partner in your child’s education. This section includes information about how you can understand the monitoring reports and licensing history of programs your child may attend or currently attends. We have also included information on what you can do if your child is having a hard time in their program. 
Who can help me understand the monitoring reports and licensing history of a program?
Each program's annual inspection report and licensing history can be found in the detailed search results page. These reports give parents a full picture of each program's health and safety standards and are a tool to help you make this important decision.
What to look for in an inspection report

When reviewing a program's inspection report, remember that some violations are serious. Other violations are much less serious (e.g., an administrative mistake like not having a training certificate in a staff member’s file). If you are looking for care for an infant, make sure the program doesn’t have any violations related to safe sleep. This is one type of serious violation. If you are looking for care for a toddler, adult-child ratios are very important.

Click here to search for a child care program and to review its monitoring reports and licensing history.

If you need help understanding a program report or have questions, please contact the Department of Early Childhood Public File Review at 1-303-866-6029. If you have concerns about a child care program or would like to report a licensing violation, please call the child care complaint line at 1-800-799-5876.

My child is having a hard time in his/her program. What can I do?

Many children have a hard time adjusting when they start a new program or switch programs. Often, children display challenging behavior when their social-emotional needs are not being met or are not understood by the adults around them. Learn more about social-emotional development and how to support children in this area.

If you have concerns that your child is struggling in his or her program, talk to the child care provider right away. Your child’s provider has access to state-approved professionals who can provide more support for children who are having a hard time. Ask your provider about the Early Childhood Mental Health consultant program.

If you are worried that your child may be suspended or expelled from a program, ask to see the program’s policy. Every program has a policy that outlines under what circumstances a child will be suspended or expelled. If you have concerns about a child care program or would like to report a licensing violation, please call the child care complaint line at 1-800-799-5876.

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 Guide 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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