Paying For Child Care & Preschool
Looking for Child Care?
Information about Summit County Child Care and Preschool Tuition Assistance & Income Qualifying Programs
Summit County has one of the highest percentages of working parents in the country—82%. Finding and paying for child care can be a challenge. Please review the programs below to determine which best fits your needs and qualifications.
Summit County Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP)
The Summit County CCCAP is a program of the Summit County Government. CCCAP helps working families pay for licensed child care.
Are you eligible for CCCAP?
- Parents are working and/or attending an accredited educational program;
- Children are US born citizens
- Residents of Summit County
- Gross monthly income does not exceed the following (as of April 1, 2007)
Family Size |
Maximum Gross Monthly Income |
2 |
$2,282 |
3 |
$2,862 |
4 |
$3,442 |
Please contact Jocelyn Haddock at 970-668-2946 to discuss eligibility. Spanish spoken.
To contact the CCCAP office in neighboring counties, please contact the following offices:
Clear Creek County, 303-567-3133
Grand County, 970-725-3331
Lake County, 719-486-4153
Park County, 719-836-4139
Summit County Head Start
The Summit County Head Start Program is a federally funded preschool and comprehensive child development program for low income families. It is a partnership between Early Childhood Options, Family & Intercultural Resource Cener, Summit School District and Summit County Government.
There are 35 Head Start slots in Summit County located in six preschool programs. These classrooms include Upper Blue Elementary Preschool, Dillon Valley Elementary Preschool, Silverthorne Elementary Preschool, Summit Education Center and Summit County Preschool. Children with special needs are encouraged to apply.
Are you elegible for Summit County Head Start?
Families must be below 100% of the federal poverty line.
- Children 3-5 years old (not yet eligible for Kindergarten)
- Gross yearly income does not exceed the following (as of Jan 2008)
Family Size |
Maximum Gross Yearly Income |
2 |
$14,000 |
3 |
$17,600 |
4 |
$21,200 |
Please call Jason Read at 970-513-1170 x311 to discuss eligibility and availability. Spanish spoken.
Colorado Preschool Program (CPKP)
The Colorado Preschool Program (CPKP) serves preschool age children (3-5) with special risk factors.
Are you eligible for CPKP?
- Children 3-5 years old (not yet eligible for Kindergarten)
- Child displays/exposed to several of the following risk factors:
- Eligible to receive free or reduced-cost lunch
- Homeless
- Living with an abusive adult
- Either parent was less than 18 years old and unmarried at the time of birth
- Child's parent or guardian has not completed a high school education or its equivalent
- Frequently relocates residences
- Poor social skills
- Need of language development
- Receiving services from Social Services
Please call Cindy Donahue at 970-513-0083 or central office at 970-668-3011 to discuss eligibility and availability. Spots are limited.
Child Care Tax Credits
Do you work? Do you have children? If yes, you could get up to thousands of dollars for you and your family!
You must file a tax return. Whether you owe income taxes or your do not, you may qualify for:
- Federal Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit
- Federal Earned Income Credit
- Federal Child Tax Credit
- Colorado Child & Dependent Care Tax Provision
For more information call Early Childhood Options at 970-513-1170 x305.
Child Care Resource & Referral
Need help finding licensed child care? Anyone is welcome and encouraged to call Elizabeth Lowe at 970-513-1170 x305 for information on quality child care and names of licensed providers in Summit and Lake Counties. For help in Spanish please call Jason Read at 970-513-1170 x311.
Early Childhood Options is located at 330 Fiedler Ave, Suite 209 & 210 in Dillon. We are just across the street from CMC, right behind Summit Thrift and Treasure. ECO is open Monday -Friday, 9:00 am -5:00 pm.
Questions and/or Concerns about a Provider
If you have questions regarding the licensing status or a provider or program, the Colorado Division of Child Care in Denver keeps files of all licensed providers, including complaints and violations. These files are open to the public. Call 1-800-799-5876 to request a copy of the files.
Additionally, if you have concerns about a provider please contact the proper licensing agent. Reports about non-licensed child care providers should also be directed towards the following persons:
Grand County
home child care providers Sharon Kelley, 970-879-1948
child care centers & school age programs Sharon Kelley, 970-879-1948
Lake County
home child care providers Katie Falsetto, 719-395-2980
child care centers & school age programs Katie Falsetto, 719-395-2980
Summit County
licensed home child care providers Breann Vander Brink, 970-668-4113
child care centers & school age programs Sharon Kelley, 970-879-1948
Helpful Links:
Child Care Aware
www.childcareaware.org
Qualistar Early Learning
www.qualistar.org
National Child Care Bureau
http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/ccb/relsites/states/states.htm
Colorado Child Care Bureau
http://www.cdhs.state.co.us/childcare
Colorado Department of Education Early Childhood
http://www.cde.state.co.us/earlychildhoodconnections/early.htm
The Research and Training Center on Early Childhood Development
http://www.researchtopractice.info/)