Lobbying and Advocacy

We have a paid lobbyist who works to support the industry through legislative advocacy work. We also advocate with the state regarding any advocacy needs that arise in the industry. We are a solutions-based organization and strive to improve processes and services for providers throughout the industry.

Industry Trainings

ECEA provides free trainings for business owners ranging from classroom management techniques/supports to the fiscal management that sustains businesses. Our trainings are free to anyone, but members receive training certificates for attending the live sessions.

Feedback Friday

The final Friday of every month, child care providers can meet raise any questions/concerns that they have about the industry. It’s an informal conversation that keeps ECEA aware of advocacy needs.

Professional Learning Center

Continuing education programs for early learning professionals, including the Child Development Associate, Inclusive Practices in Early Childhood, and MA in Learning, Developmental and Family Sciences offered in partnership with University of Colorado Denver.

CMA Director’s Network

Monthly Professional Development and Networking for Montessori Administrators and Montessori teachers. We have two locations – Denver and Fort Collins. We will be expanding to Colorado Springs and the western slope.

Annual CMA Conference (April 2020) – Raising Equity

Raising Equity means being an adult in the life of a child who helps cultivate and equity mindset. This approach helps adults and children understand themselves, others, and the systems of oppression that impact our lives. In this session, participants will 1) gain an understanding of the concepts and distinctions between diversity, equity, and inclusion, … Read more >

The Validation Project

The CMA Validation Project is one answer to the question “What is Montessori?” By determining baseline, threshold components for participating Montessori schools, CMA has established a Validating Organization to assure state agencies, policy makers, funders, and most importantly, families that the Montessori schools in Colorado have a measure of quality they can trust.

Kids Play Math

Support for teachers, including classroom activities and information about early math teaching and learning. This information is provided through easily accessible online training components, with job-embedded assignments, and webinars. An accompanying workshop in instructional support (optional but recommended). Support for coaches via a certification package that includes a two-day workshop, online interaction, and materials and … Read more >

Child Care

The Larimer County Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) provides child care assistance to families who meet the income guidelines and are working, searching for employment, or are in training, teen parents, and families who are enrolled in the Colorado Works program and need child care services to support their efforts towards self-sufficiency. CCAP provides access … Read more >

Bright by Three and Bright by Text

Bright by Three’s traditional visitation program is a free, three-year curriculum based on seminal research findings from The Carolina Abecedarian Project, Hart and Risley, The Perry Preschool Project, and others. Trained volunteers visit with parents and caregivers to share age-specific resource kits that help caregivers stimulate their child’s healthy development. To support present-day caregivers, Bright … Read more >