Connecting parents and families to early childhood services.
Need help paying for Childcare?
Routt County is fortunate to have funding sources available to help families offset the cost for care.
Tuition Assistance
Eligible children must be enrolled or eligible for enrollment in a participating, licensed, childcare center, family childcare home or preschool program in Routt County.
Universal Preschool UPK
This program provides a tuition credit, reducing your cost of childcare. UPK allows families to choose the right setting for their child. Families of children in the year before they are eligible for kindergarten, and qualifying 3-year-olds, can apply for UPK.
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CCCAP
Are you working/in school/looking for a job and earning up to 265% FPL? You may qualify for Colorado Child Care Assistance Program, contact Fran Snider to determine your eligibility: fsnider@co.routt.co.us (970) 870-5280.
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Looking for Child Care or Want to Learn More About Routt County's Child Care Programs?
Child care Center
Oak Creek/Yampa
Family Child Care Program
Click here for more specific information about Routt County Licensed Early Childhood Programs, like phone numbers, ages they serve and more.
Steamboat Springs
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Tru Owls - Truie Goldey
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Monica Demara
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Jennifer Creagan
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Nature and Nurture - Leneh Wingard
Hayden
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Stellar Beginnings - Julie Carey
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Katina's Wee Care Center - Katina Kline
School Age Program
Steamboat Springs
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Howelsen Ice Arena
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Igloo child care
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Howelsen hill lodge mobile summer camp
Oak Creek/Yampa
Babysitters and Nannies in Routt County
We created a resource list for families and community members to find babysitter/nannies in the area. The people on this list are participating voluntarily, First Impressions is not responsable for payment, schedules or anything related to the services. This is just a resource for the community to find information about babysitters and nannies in the area in one single place.
If you are a babysitter or a nanny and would like to be feature on our website, please fill out this form. https://forms.gle/qLYMMear6kbmV3XR6
If you have any questions, please contact Pamela Nebel at pnebel@co.routt.co.us
Click here to Find Babysitters/Nannies in your area!
Early Childhood Career Pathways in Colorado
ECCLA’s Early Childhood Career Pathway Tool! This resource is designed to support individuals seeking careers in Colorado’s Early Childhood Profession. Whether you are just beginning your journey or advancing in the profession, this tool will provide you with valuable information, resources, and guidance to help you navigate career pathways.
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Interested? Click here to Lear more about ECCLA'S career pathway!
Learn more about different types of child care and quality rated programs!
Types of Child Care
Family Child Care Homes
In a family child care home, providers care for small groups of children in a residencial building. Often this type of care has one or two caregivers and may offer non-traditional hours.
Child Care Centers
Child care centers are generally operated out of a non residential, commercial buildings. Centers are larger and enroll more children with a dedicated director and numerous staff members.
Family, Friend and Neighbor Care
FFN is provided in the child or caregiver's home by a person who is relative, friend or neighbor or a babysitter or nanny.
Preschool Programs
Preschool Programs are typically offered for children ages 3-5 years old. Preschool programs may be offered through a school, faith-based organization, non-profit and child care centers.
School Age Programs
School age programs typically provide child care during the before - and after- school hours. They may also offer care during school holidays and summer break.
Search for Colorado Shines Quality Rated Programs
Colorado Shines is a quality rating and improvement system for Colorado's licensed early care and learning programs. Colorado Shines rates early learning programs and connects families with quality child care and preschool programs. It measures quality based on how a program supports its children, families and professionals.
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A Colorado Shines rating (Levels 1-5) gives parents peace of mind. The Colorado Shines rating means that the program is licensed, in good standing with the state, meets health and safety standards, and is regularly monitored.
Programs with higher ratings (Levels 3-5) have completed a process to show quality programs and practice in all areas that Colorado Shines reviews (see bullet list below).
Colorado Shines rates the quality of Colorado’s child care and preschool programs for children ages 0-5, based on how well each program.
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Supports children’s health and safety.
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Ensures the staff are well-trained and effective.
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Provides a supportive learning environment that teaches children new skills.
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Helps parents become partners in their child’s learning.
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Demonstrates good leadership and business practices.
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Once a program receives a rating, Colorado Shines provides support to help the program continue to improve its quality.
This free search tool allows families to search for early childhood programs utilizing information such as location, hours, licensing, and the Colorado Shines quality rating. Additional information about Colorado Shines and Universal Preschool is coming soon.
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Search for quality child care and find tips on how to select care.
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Look for the Colorado Shines logo to identify licensed and quality early care and learning programs.
Fatherhood Program
The Fatherhood Program of Routt County (FPRC) provides education, support and builds community for area dads to meet these changing demands so they and their families, can thrive.
Contact Andrew Boness if you would like to take advantage of this free program.​
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Phone: 970-870-5289 - ext. 289
Interested in opening a child care program or becoming a family child care provider? Learn more here!
