The Council is the Local Coordinating Organization for Pitkin, Garfield, W. Eagle and Lake Counties. Through strong partnerships at the local, regional and state levels, we are leading efforts to implement Universal Preschool in our region.
The program focuses on a single, straightforward, proven solution to accelerating brain growth, boosting social-emotional development, and increasing kindergarten readiness. That solution: Giving early childhood educators the tools they need to improve language environments equitably and to truly connect with each and every child in their care. In just five weeks of LENA Grow (or … Read more >
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.
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 >
ECHO is based on a decade of research by North Carolina State University’s Natural Learning Initiative on the Preventing Obesity by Design model. This research showed that by improving the design of outdoor spaces through affordable interventions and training early childhood professionals, young children and early childhood programs enjoy substantial benefits. Together, ECHO and ECCLA … Read more >
Annual conference in early November for early childhood professionals, offering 6 training hours and a partial CEU in collaboration with Western Colorado University. The Gunnison Hinsdale Early Childhood Council brings in a keynote speaker, as well as local and regional presenters. The conference is an opportunity for early childhood professionals to connect with peers, learn … Read more >
Early Connections is known for developing and implementing innovative approaches to quality programs and is a recognized leader in the field of early education. Early Connections was one of the first programs in Colorado to implement child outcome assessment, increase the level of formal education for teachers, and blend federal support from Head Start and … Read more >
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 >
Integrated components of our early care and education program promote school readiness. Our developmentally appropriate, research- and evidence-based approach to early education supports learning and development in all domains: language, social-emotional, cognitive, physical, literacy, mathematics, science and technology, social studies, and the arts. In August 2017, we implemented a new, strategically blended curriculum to include … Read more >
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 >