Child Care Centers and Preschools

• Child Care Centers and Private Preschools
  • These programs provide early care and education for children based on age. These programs offer either full-time or part-time programs. They are licensed and monitored by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC).
  • Some child care centers, private preschools, and pre-kindergarten programs are run by public schools. These programs are also licensed and monitored by CDEC. 
• Public School Pre-K Programs
  • Some public schools, including charter schools, have early childhood education programs. These can be pre-kindergarten, extended day, family literacy, and school-readiness programs. These programs are licensed and monitored by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC).
  • The Colorado Preschool Program (CPP) is a state-funded early childhood education program administered by the Colorado Department of Education. Each year the General Assembly provides funding for up to 29,360 children considered to be at-risk for later school failure to attend half- or full-day preschool. CPP is managed by local school districts and their preschool advisory councils. Each participating school district is given a predetermined number of half-day positions to serve eligible children. These positions are used to serve preschoolers in either half- or full-day programs in school district settings, local child care centers, community preschools, or Head Start programs.
    • Preschool Remote Learning Options for 2021-2022. Remote Learning Options for State-Funded Preschool in the 2021-2022 School Year as a Result of COVID-19 Health Concerns outlines the required approval, assurances, and documentation that must be in place for the 2021-22 school year for children enrolled in state-funded preschool to access remote learning for children enrolled in the Colorado Preschool Program (CPP) and Preschool Special Education.
    • 2021 CPP Legislative Report Released. The annual CPP Legislative Report provides highlights about the implementation and effectiveness of the Colorado Preschool Program. The 2021 report provides highlights about the implementation and effectiveness of CPP during the 2019-20 school year. Students who participated in CPP continue to show positive long-term outcomes related to grade retention, Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) assessment, and on-time graduation. 
• For more information on CPP eligibility visit the What Kind of Child Care is Right for Me and My Child page.