Program: A Busy Child Preschool
Contact Name: Babette Torres
Email: babs@babettesdaycare.com
Address: 5102 Tucson Way, Denver, CO 80239
Phone: 720-935-0364
Quality: August
Website: http://www.abusychildpreschool.com
Description: A Busy Child Preschool is a quality, licensed preschool that serves children 2 years of age until kindergarten from in and around the Denver community. It offers a preschool setting in a comfortable, home environment as well as a small student to teacher ratio (2:12) that allows the teacher to develop a bond with each student. A Busy Child Preschool provides a bright and clean preschool classroom that is warm and inviting to children, and a carefully planned curriculum where play takes precedence and learning opportunities are presented throughout our day. The curriculum is theme based with an emphasis on play based learning, and it focuses on social relationships, language skills, problem solving, fine and gross motor development, self-help skills, and music and movement. In addition, the curriculum incorporates activities that promote letter, number, shape, and color recognition. Beginning Spanish is also taught and is used frequently when conversing with the children. Character Education is an integral component to the program, instilling in each child values such as Respect, Caring, Patience, Politeness, Cooperation, and Forgiveness. A Busy Child Preschool will prepare your child for success in Kindergarten and beyond.

Program: A Plus Kids
Contact Name: Faith Schneider
Email: denverapluskids@hotmail.com
Address: 2401 W 44th Ave, Denver, CO 80211
Phone: 303-455-3665
Quality: Intro to Q
Website: No Web site
Description: Located in northwest Denver, A Plus Kids is a full-day, year-round program that operates from 7am – 6pm Monday through Friday and serves children ranging in age from one year old to 6th grade. The school utilizes a theme-based, “Sing and Read” curriculum developed by the Frog Street Press corporation. While currently a limited amount of instruction is done in Spanish, A Plus Kids is seeking funding to move to a completely bilingual program. Some of the other highlights of A Plus Kids include: spacious classrooms, an outdoor playground, a summer gardening program, and school transportation throughout northwest Denver (for the older kids). A Plus Kids does accept CCAP funding, and its food program consists of breakfast, lunch, and a snack—all provided daily.

Program: ABC Childcare Center
Contact Name: Leila Freeman
Email: abcchildcaredenver@gmail.com
Address: 2180 S. Hudson St, Denver, CO 80222
Phone: 303-954-0622
Quality: Intro to Q
Website: No Web site
Description: ABC Childcare Center is new to Denver. It has a secure facility with enclosed classrooms, and it accepts children from 6 weeks to 12 years. The Preschool Program features a theme-based curriculum with 26 2-week-long units. ABC's well-trained and loving staff engages children in age-appropriate activities all day during its hours of operation from 6:30am to 6:00pm. The center serves breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack, and its menus are approved by the Colorado Food program. In the infant rooms all meals are provided by the center, including formula. Feel free to contact ABC Childcare Center and schedule a tour anytime.

Program: ABN Columbine Montessori School
Contact Name: Juliana Lyon
Email: abncolumbine@comcast.net
Address: 131 W. 2nd Ave, Denver, CO 80223
Phone: 303-871-8884
Quality: Intro to Q
Website: http://www.abncolumbine.com
Description: ABN Columbine Montessori is a modified Montessori school in Denver's historic Baker district, just south of Colorado Blvd. The purpose of the center is to provide a warm, secure, spiritual place for your child, and its program has been planned to meet your child's emotional, physical, social, and intellectual needs. ABN Columbine Montessori enrolls children ages 2 1/2 through age 5 for preschool and pre-kindergarten. School is in session on a year-round basis, Monday through Friday. The center opens at 7:00am and closes at 5:30pm. It is also equipped with a security system with cameras in the front and back yards.

Program: Academic Play Learning Center
Contact Name: Ana Munoz
Email: academicplay@live.com
Address: 10890 E Dartmouth Ave Suite N, Denver, CO 80014
Phone: 303-750-9013
Quality: September
Website: No Web site
Description: No Description

Program: Agape ECE
Contact Name: Calisa Grooms
Email: No Email
Address: 1457 Ivy Street, Denver, CO 80220
Phone: 303-333-1457
Quality: 2
Website: No Web site
Description: Agape ECE believes every child should have the opportunity to learn. It welcomes every child and teaches them things that will prepare them for school academically as well as social skills which are equally important. Agape engages its students in a variety of activities such as arts and crafts, field trips, practicing handwriting, water play, using the computer, and many more. The center also offers parent programs throughout the year in which parents can come observe their children in the classroom. The program runs Monday through Friday from 8:40 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and families can choose between full day and half day programs. Extended hours are also offered.

Program: Amesse (DPS)
Contact Name: Cheryl Caldwell
Email: Cheryl_Caldwell@dpsk12.org
Address: 5440 Scranton Street, Denver, CO 80239
Phone: 303-371-0940
Quality: 3
Website: http://earlyeducation.dpsk12.org/
Description: Preschool is the first step towards a successful academic career and Denver Public Schools Early Childhood Education (ECE) program provides developmentally appropriate full-day and half-day preschool classes for 4-year-old children in Denver (select sites serve 3-year-olds). Classes are offered in a safe and nurturing environment that promotes the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of young children while responding to the needs of families. Adult to student ratios are between 1:8 and 1:10, depending on specific classrooms. Activities are designed to develop children’s self-esteem, create positive feelings toward learning, and prepare children for success in later grades. The learning activities are designed to build early literacy and math skills and are responsive to the needs of each child. Teachers have ECE credentials or endorsements, teaching certificates, and bring years of early childhood experience to the classroom. As of January 2009, all ECE classrooms in DPS were rated by Qualistar, an independent third party rating agency. Most schools received ratings of three of four stars, a very strong rating, and several received four-star ratings. Denver Public Schools has recently greatly expanded its preschool offerings and now offers more full-day classes in every corner of the city. ECE applications are available at all DPS schools beginning in January of each year. ECE is provided in every DPS elementary school except Bromwell, Slavens, and Polaris at Ebert. Please check the DPS website for offerings: http://earlyeducation.dpsk12.org/. Additionally, links to each school’s individual website are available at http://schoolforms.dpsk12.org/schoollist/.

Program: Anchor Center for Blind Children
Contact Name: Cynthia Wadle
Email: info@anchorcenter.org
Address: 2550 Roslyn St, Denver, CO 80238
Phone: 303-377-9732
Quality: 3
Website: http://www.anchorcenter.org
Description: Anchor Center for Blind Children teaches visually impaired infants, young children and their families, providing hope and a nurturing environment where children reach their highest potential. Children with blindness learn in different ways than sighted children, and both their learning environment and activities need to be adapted to their unique needs. Anchor Center offers a curriculum and teaching facility designed specifically for very young blind children. Separate programs are available for infants, toddlers and preschoolers. We also provide home visits to medically fragile children and serve children and families in rural Colorado through our outreach program. Since 1982, Anchor Center teachers and therapists have helped hundreds of children and their families learn how to live with a vision impairment, meet critical early developmental goals and lead full, productive lives. Children graduate from Anchor Center programs to attend the public school system and amaze us all with what they can accomplish.

Program: Archuleta (DPS)
Contact Name: Cheryl Caldwell
Email: Cheryl_Caldwell@dpsk12.org
Address: 16000 E. Maxwell Place, Denver, CO 80239
Phone: 303-371-6363
Quality: 3
Website: http://earlyeducation.dpsk12.org/
Description: Preschool is the first step towards a successful academic career and Denver Public Schools Early Childhood Education (ECE) program provides developmentally appropriate full-day and half-day preschool classes for 4-year-old children in Denver (select sites serve 3-year-olds). Classes are offered in a safe and nurturing environment that promotes the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of young children while responding to the needs of families. Adult to student ratios are between 1:8 and 1:10, depending on specific classrooms. Activities are designed to develop children’s self-esteem, create positive feelings toward learning, and prepare children for success in later grades. The learning activities are designed to build early literacy and math skills and are responsive to the needs of each child. Teachers have ECE credentials or endorsements, teaching certificates, and bring years of early childhood experience to the classroom. As of January 2009, all ECE classrooms in DPS were rated by Qualistar, an independent third party rating agency. Most schools received ratings of three of four stars, a very strong rating, and several received four-star ratings. Denver Public Schools has recently greatly expanded its preschool offerings and now offers more full-day classes in every corner of the city. ECE applications are available at all DPS schools beginning in January of each year. ECE is provided in every DPS elementary school except Bromwell, Slavens, and Polaris at Ebert. Please check the DPS website for offerings: http://earlyeducation.dpsk12.org/. Additionally, links to each school’s individual website are available at http://schoolforms.dpsk12.org/schoollist/.

Program: Arlene's Learning Center
Contact Name: Arlene Sanchez
Email: No Email
Address: 2600 W. 42nd Avenue, Denver, CO 80211
Phone: 303-477-7883
Quality: 2
Website: No Web site
Description: Arlene’s Learning Center has been serving North Denver’s kids ages 2 ½ to 12 since 1997. It is a small center, licensed for just 15 children, so every child receives the attention he or she deserves. While the center provides a before and after-school program for school-aged children, it provides full-day preschool for those who have not yet entered kindergarten. The preschool engages its children with lots of hands-on activities and avariety of arts and crafts. Breakfast, lunch, and a snack are provided daily, and the center participates in the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment food program. A full-day program also runs through the summer.

Program: Armstrong Child Development Center
Contact Name: Shirley Armstrong
Email: sarmstrong54@msn.com
Address: 2820 Harrison St, Denver, CO 80205
Phone: 303-377-7141
Quality: June
Website: No Web site
Description: The Armstrong Child Development Center has a long tradition of providing quality care to children and their families. Director Shirley Armstrong has assembled a very dedicated and loving staff; many of them have been with the Armstrong CDC for over 20 years. Walk into an Armstrong preschool classroom, and you will find teachers committed to providing your child with an excellent academic experience. They also like to have fun, so regular field trips are part of the curriculum as well. The Armstrong Child Development Center believes strongly that parents play an integral role in educating their children, so they strive to involve parents in the activities of the school as much as possible. Three USDA-approved meals—breakfast, lunch, and a snack—are provided daily. The school serves children ages 12 months through 12 years, and it operates from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Program: Asbury (DPS)
Contact Name: Cheryl Caldwell
Email: Cheryl_Caldwell@dpsk12.org
Address: 1320 E. Asbury Avenue, Denver, CO 80210
Phone: 303-722-4695
Quality: 3
Website: http://earlyeducation.dpsk12.org/
Description: Preschool is the first step towards a successful academic career and Denver Public Schools Early Childhood Education (ECE) program provides developmentally appropriate full-day and half-day preschool classes for 4-year-old children in Denver (select sites serve 3-year-olds). Classes are offered in a safe and nurturing environment that promotes the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of young children while responding to the needs of families. Adult to student ratios are between 1:8 and 1:10, depending on specific classrooms. Activities are designed to develop children’s self-esteem, create positive feelings toward learning, and prepare children for success in later grades. The learning activities are designed to build early literacy and math skills and are responsive to the needs of each child. Teachers have ECE credentials or endorsements, teaching certificates, and bring years of early childhood experience to the classroom. As of January 2009, all ECE classrooms in DPS were rated by Qualistar, an independent third party rating agency. Most schools received ratings of three of four stars, a very strong rating, and several received four-star ratings. Denver Public Schools has recently greatly expanded its preschool offerings and now offers more full-day classes in every corner of the city. ECE applications are available at all DPS schools beginning in January of each year. ECE is provided in every DPS elementary school except Bromwell, Slavens, and Polaris at Ebert. Please check the DPS website for offerings: http://earlyeducation.dpsk12.org/. Additionally, links to each school’s individual website are available at http://schoolforms.dpsk12.org/schoollist/.

Program: Ashley (DPS)
Contact Name: Cheryl Caldwell
Email: Cheryl_Caldwell@dpsk12.org
Address: 1914 Syracuse Street, Denver, CO 80220
Phone: 303-322-1853
Quality: 3
Website: http://earlyeducation.dpsk12.org/
Description: Preschool is the first step towards a successful academic career and Denver Public Schools Early Childhood Education (ECE) program provides developmentally appropriate full-day and half-day preschool classes for 4-year-old children in Denver (select sites serve 3-year-olds). Classes are offered in a safe and nurturing environment that promotes the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of young children while responding to the needs of families. Adult to student ratios are between 1:8 and 1:10, depending on specific classrooms. Activities are designed to develop children’s self-esteem, create positive feelings toward learning, and prepare children for success in later grades. The learning activities are designed to build early literacy and math skills and are responsive to the needs of each child. Teachers have ECE credentials or endorsements, teaching certificates, and bring years of early childhood experience to the classroom. As of January 2009, all ECE classrooms in DPS were rated by Qualistar, an independent third party rating agency. Most schools received ratings of three of four stars, a very strong rating, and several received four-star ratings. Denver Public Schools has recently greatly expanded its preschool offerings and now offers more full-day classes in every corner of the city. ECE applications are available at all DPS schools beginning in January of each year. ECE is provided in every DPS elementary school except Bromwell, Slavens, and Polaris at Ebert. Please check the DPS website for offerings: http://earlyeducation.dpsk12.org/. Additionally, links to each school’s individual website are available at http://schoolforms.dpsk12.org/schoollist/.

Program: Augustana Early Learning Center
Contact Name: Paula Keller
Email: keller@augustanadenver.org
Address: 5000 E. Alameda Avenue, Denver, CO 80246
Phone: 303-388-7012
Quality: 3
Website: http://www.augustanadenver.org/pages/learning_aelc.php
Description: Augustana Early Learning Center is an outreach ministry of Augustana Lutheran Church committed to quality care and development for each child. It welcomes children of different races, genders, cultures, religions, national or ethnic origins, and handicaps. It offers reasonable tuition rates and a grant program in order to serve families from a variety of income levels. Augustana Early Learning Center’s philosophy involves offering a quality program—it is accredited by the National Association of Education for Young Children (NAEYC)—within a developmentally appropriate framework. It believes that play is the primary vehicle through which young children learn and offers a rich array of experiences and activities that are designed to foster self-discovery, autonomy, and freedom to learn and create within a secure environment. Activities are open-ended and non-competitive so that all children may experience success. Augustana Early Learning Center sees the child as a whole, with needs in all developmental areas: physical, cognitive, social and emotional. It promotes curriculum and activities that affirm children of any race, religion or culture. The program’s offerings include: small class sizes; qualified, professional teachers; curriculum for total child development; an extended arts program; nutritious foods; and well-equipped indoor and outdoor facilities. Augustana Early Learning Center accepts children from 18 months to school age and is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. It operates year-round and is closed only for major holidays and one week in August each year.

Program: Auntie Ruth's Day Care
Contact Name: Ruth Aragon
Email: myliltinita@comcast.net
Address: 1125 S Clay St, Denver, CO 80219
Phone: 720-298-7927
Quality: Intro to Q
Website: No Web site
Description: No Description

Program: Auraria Early Learning Center
Contact Name: Renee Donahue
Email: donahuer@ahec.edu
Address: 950 9th Street Park, Denver, CO 80217
Phone: 303-556-3188
Quality: 3
Website: http://www.tivoli.org/earlylearning/
Description: Please call for specific directions. The Auraria Early Learning Center provides full and part-time programs for children 12 months to 5 years old. It serves the students, faculty and staff of the Auraria campus that includes the Auraria Higher Education Center, Community College of Denver, Metropolitan State College of Denver and University of Colorado Denver. The educational community consistently recognizes the Auraria Early Learning Center as a high quality, early childhood care and education program. All of the Center's programs are fully licensed by the Colorado Department of Human Services and are designed to meet each child's individual needs, to foster development of intellectual and social skills and to provide a safe, nurturing environment. The curriculum uses the latest approaches and techniques for working with children while implementing developmentally appropriate practices. The Auraria Early Learning Center is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack are provided at no additional cost. All meals are nutritious and served family style. The Center offers a comprehensive parent communication plan that includes: weekly classroom newsletters, monthly classroom calendars, monthly Center newsletters, parent/teachers conferences each semester, and classroom and Center events every semester. Additionally, parents are welcome to observe and participate in the children's classroom activities at any time.

Program: Barnum (DPS)
Contact Name: Cheryl Caldwell
Email: Cheryl_Caldwell@dpsk12.org
Address: 85 Hooker Street, Denver, CO 80219
Phone: 303-935-3509
Quality: 3
Website: http://earlyeducation.dpsk12.org/
Description: Preschool is the first step towards a successful academic career and Denver Public Schools Early Childhood Education (ECE) program provides developmentally appropriate full-day and half-day preschool classes for 4-year-old children in Denver (select sites serve 3-year-olds). Classes are offered in a safe and nurturing environment that promotes the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of young children while responding to the needs of families. Adult to student ratios are between 1:8 and 1:10, depending on specific classrooms. Activities are designed to develop children’s self-esteem, create positive feelings toward learning, and prepare children for success in later grades. The learning activities are designed to build early literacy and math skills and are responsive to the needs of each child. Teachers have ECE credentials or endorsements, teaching certificates, and bring years of early childhood experience to the classroom. As of January 2009, all ECE classrooms in DPS were rated by Qualistar, an independent third party rating agency. Most schools received ratings of three of four stars, a very strong rating, and several received four-star ratings. Denver Public Schools has recently greatly expanded its preschool offerings and now offers more full-day classes in every corner of the city. ECE applications are available at all DPS schools beginning in January of each year. ECE is provided in every DPS elementary school except Bromwell, Slavens, and Polaris at Ebert. Please check the DPS website for offerings: http://earlyeducation.dpsk12.org/. Additionally, links to each school’s individual website are available at http://schoolforms.dpsk12.org/schoollist/.

Program: Barrett at Clayton (DPS)
Contact Name: Cheryl Caldwell
Email: Cheryl_Caldwell@dpsk12.org
Address: 3751 Martin Luther King Boulevard, Denver, CO 80205
Phone:
Quality: Intro to Q
Website: http://earlyeducation.dpsk12.org/
Description: Preschool is the first step towards a successful academic career and Denver Public Schools Early Childhood Education (ECE) program provides developmentally appropriate full-day and half-day preschool classes for 4-year-old children in Denver (select sites serve 3-year-olds). Classes are offered in a safe and nurturing environment that promotes the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of young children while responding to the needs of families. Adult to student ratios are between 1:8 and 1:10, depending on specific classrooms. Activities are designed to develop children’s self-esteem, create positive feelings toward learning, and prepare children for success in later grades. The learning activities are designed to build early literacy and math skills and are responsive to the needs of each child. Teachers have ECE credentials or endorsements, teaching certificates, and bring years of early childhood experience to the classroom. As of January 2009, all ECE classrooms in DPS were rated by Qualistar, an independent third party rating agency. Most schools received ratings of three of four stars, a very strong rating, and several received four-star ratings. Denver Public Schools has recently greatly expanded its preschool offerings and now offers more full-day classes in every corner of the city. ECE applications are available at all DPS schools beginning in January of each year. ECE is provided in every DPS elementary school except Bromwell, Slavens, and Polaris at Ebert. Please check the DPS website for offerings: http://earlyeducation.dpsk12.org/. Additionally, links to each school’s individual website are available at http://schoolforms.dpsk12.org/schoollist/.

Program: Beach Court (DPS)
Contact Name: Cheryl Caldwell
Email: Cheryl_Caldwell@dpsk12.org
Address: 4950 Beach Court, Denver, CO 80221
Phone: 303-455-3607
Quality: 3
Website: http://earlyeducation.dpsk12.org/
Description: Preschool is the first step towards a successful academic career and Denver Public Schools Early Childhood Education (ECE) program provides developmentally appropriate full-day and half-day preschool classes for 4-year-old children in Denver (select sites serve 3-year-olds). Classes are offered in a safe and nurturing environment that promotes the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of young children while responding to the needs of families. Adult to student ratios are between 1:8 and 1:10, depending on specific classrooms. Activities are designed to develop children’s self-esteem, create positive feelings toward learning, and prepare children for success in later grades. The learning activities are designed to build early literacy and math skills and are responsive to the needs of each child. Teachers have ECE credentials or endorsements, teaching certificates, and bring years of early childhood experience to the classroom. As of January 2009, all ECE classrooms in DPS were rated by Qualistar, an independent third party rating agency. Most schools received ratings of three of four stars, a very strong rating, and several received four-star ratings. Denver Public Schools has recently greatly expanded its preschool offerings and now offers more full-day classes in every corner of the city. ECE applications are available at all DPS schools beginning in January of each year. ECE is provided in every DPS elementary school except Bromwell, Slavens, and Polaris at Ebert. Please check the DPS website for offerings: http://earlyeducation.dpsk12.org/. Additionally, links to each school’s individual website are available at http://schoolforms.dpsk12.org/schoollist/.

Program: Bergamo Academy
Contact Name: Meredith Malak
Email: meredith@bergamoacademy.com
Address: 1000 N Speer Blvd, Denver, CO 80204
Phone: 303-825-1333
Quality: Intro to Q
Website: http://www.bergamoacademy.com/
Description: No Description

Program: Blessed Sacrament
Contact Name: Greg Kruthaupt
Email: parishschool@blessedsacrament.net
Address: 1973 Elm Street, Denver, CO 80220
Phone: 303-377-8835
Quality: Intro to Q
Website: http://school.blessedsacrament.net
Description: Blessed Sacrament Catholic School serves students in preschool through 8th grade. It is located in the Park Hill neighborhood, convenient to downtown Denver and the Stapleton community. Established in 1922, Blessed Sacrament inspires the pursuit of excellence, maintains a safe, warm and caring environment, affirms the uniqueness and dignity of the individual, celebrates the diversity of community, and fosters family partnerships and a commitment to strong social and moral values. The school's families come from a wide variety of backgrounds but are united in their wish to provide a faith- and values-based education to their children. The preschool has part- and full-time options for 2-, 3- and 4-year-olds; before and after-school care; and a summer program. In addition to a high-quality core curriculum (which includes Religion, Literacy, Math and Science), the staff also offers weekly classes in Spanish, Art, P.E., Music and Library. There is always a balance between play-time learning and more traditional academic learning. Early childhood education opportunities are growing at Blessed Sacrament Catholic School. They welcome your family to be a part of their community! While Blessed Sacrament is a faith-based institution, the Denver Preschool Program only provides tuition credits for those parts of the day during which religious instruction does not occur.

Program: BMH-BJ Congregation Preschool
Contact Name: Mindy Hecht
Email: mhecht@bmh-bj.org
Address: 560 S Monaco Pkwy, Denver, CO 80224
Phone: 303.388.7543
Quality: Intro to Q
Website: http://www.bmh-bj.org/education/preschool.html
Description: The BMH-BJ Synagogue Preschool has three basic goals for the children it serves. The first is to provide a nurturing environment. Its classrooms remain small and intimate, with low teacher-student ratios and plenty of one-on-one student-teacher interaction. The staff is careful to keep in mind that these are toddlers who still need a secure, safe, nurturing environment in which to explore the world around them. Such an environment enables children to develop an essential sense of their own self-worth, confidence and the willingness to explore the new or unfamiliar, as well as the ability to play and interact socially with others. BMH-BJ’s second goal is to develop positive school-readiness skills. The teachers develop a curriculum in which children learn the basics to prepare them for their soon-to-begin careers as students. By exposing them to basic social and educational concepts through games and activities, the children learn the important lessons and develop the cognitive skills that enable them to continue to grow and develop. BMH-BJ’s third goal for its children is to have them develop a positive sense of Jewish identity. Jewish holidays are celebrated in class, helping children get a sense of the “ruach,” the spirit of their religion and culture. From the earliest ages the children begin to learn Hebrew songs, the Shema, brachot and other Jewish prayers. Children are also exposed to Shabbat and all the joy it brings every Friday during an all-school Shabbat Party. While BMH-BJ is a faith-based institution, the Denver Preschool Program only provides tuition credits for those parts of the day during which religious instruction does not occur. The BMH-BJ Synagogue Preschool cares for children 6 weeks to 5 years of age. Its year-round hours of operation are 7:30am to 3pm Monday through Friday with after care available Monday through Thursday until 6pm and on Fridays until 4pm. BMH-BJ’s warm and loving staff has been with the school for many years. They attribute this low turnover to the devoted family atmosphere of the school, where children’s social and emotional well-being is the first priority. In addition to teaching small and gross motor skills, pre-reading and pre-math skills, the school offers many enrichments to its program. Morning enrichments include: Nature and Parsha (for 3 to 5 year olds), Exercise (for 2 year olds), Music and Shabbat Party (for all our children). Afternoon enrichments (for 3 to 5 year olds) include Hebrew, Yoga, Cooking, Music, Tennis and Gymnastics.

Program: Bradley (DPS)
Contact Name: Cheryl Caldwell
Email: Cheryl_Caldwell@dpsk12.org
Address: 3051 S. Elm Street, Denver, CO 80222
Phone: 303-756-8386
Quality: 4
Website: http://earlyeducation.dpsk12.org/
Description: Preschool is the first step towards a successful academic career and Denver Public Schools Early Childhood Education (ECE) program provides developmentally appropriate full-day and half-day preschool classes for 4-year-old children in Denver (select sites serve 3-year-olds). Classes are offered in a safe and nurturing environment that promotes the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of young children while responding to the needs of families. Adult to student ratios are between 1:8 and 1:10, depending on specific classrooms. Activities are designed to develop children’s self-esteem, create positive feelings toward learning, and prepare children for success in later grades. The learning activities are designed to build early literacy and math skills and are responsive to the needs of each child. Teachers have ECE credentials or endorsements, teaching certificates, and bring years of early childhood experience to the classroom. As of January 2009, all ECE classrooms in DPS were rated by Qualistar, an independent third party rating agency. Most schools received ratings of three of four stars, a very strong rating, and several received four-star ratings. Denver Public Schools has recently greatly expanded its preschool offerings and now offers more full-day classes in every corner of the city. ECE applications are available at all DPS schools beginning in January of each year. ECE is provided in every DPS elementary school except Bromwell, Slavens, and Polaris at Ebert. Please check the DPS website for offerings: http://earlyeducation.dpsk12.org/. Additionally, links to each school’s individual website are available at http://schoolforms.dpsk12.org/schoollist/.

Program: Bright Horizons Montessori at Denver Place
Contact Name: Shawna Deaderick
Email: denverplace@brighthorizons.com
Address: 999 18th St. North Terrace, Suite 350, Denver, CO 80202
Phone: 303-293-2743
Quality: Intro to Q
Website: http://www.brighthorizons.com/montessori/denver_place/index.htm
Description: The Montessori educational approach invites children to learn at their own pace — to question, experiment, and grow as their curiosity and readiness dictates. We set high expectations for children and empower them to find their path of learning, an approach that helps them develop self-confidence, self-discipline, and independence. The multiage structure of our classrooms fosters social and emotional growth, allows children to be both learners and teachers, and instills a respect for others. The specialized Montessori learning materials give children a hands-on understanding of the fundamental concepts of math, language, and science. At a Bright Horizons Montessori School, children develop the skills they need to excel as learners and to succeed in life. Montessori at Denver Place is conveniently located downtown between Champa and Curtis and 18th and 19th Street. The hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 7:00 am – 6:00 pm, serving children from 6 weeks – 6 years. This site features an on-site outdoor playground and indoor gross-motor space, secure entrances, long-term teachers, Spanish lessons and an active parent partnership group. The Camp Explorations Summer Program provides extensive field trips and hands-on learning experiences, including culture activities in the downtown area.

Program: Bright Horizons Montessori at the Marina
Contact Name: Shawna Deaderick
Email: mmamarina@brighthorizons.com
Address: 8101 E. Belleview, T-20, Denver, CO 80237
Phone: 303-290-8843
Quality: Intro to Q
Website: http://www.brighthorizons.com/montessori/marina/index.htm
Description: The Montessori educational approach invites children to learn at their own pace — to question, experiment, and grow as their curiosity and readiness dictates. We set high expectations for children and empower them to find their path of learning, an approach that helps them develop self-confidence, self-discipline, and independence. The multiage structure of our classrooms fosters social and emotional growth, allows children to be both learners and teachers, and instills a respect for others. The specialized Montessori learning materials give children a hands-on understanding of the fundamental concepts of math, language, and science. At a Bright Horizons Montessori School, children develop the skills they need to excel as learners and to succeed in life. Montessori at the Marina is a state-of-the-art facility, located in Marina Square off of I-25 and East Belleview. The school is complete with an outdoor playground, indoor gymnasium, and library. The faculty are experienced, long-term teachers, with all lead teachers being Montessori Certified. The Camp Explorations Summer Program provides extensive field trips and hands-on learning experiences. There is an active parent partnership group. The hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 7:00 am - 6:00 pm, serving children ages 2 ½ - 6. Spanish lessons are included in the tuition and enrichments include; gymnastics, physical education, chess, mad science, piano lessons, art classes, and Taekwondo.

Program: Bright Horizons Montessori on the Mall
Contact Name: Shawna Deaderick
Email: mmamall@brighthorizons.com
Address: 1050 17th St, Suite 201B, Denver, CO 80202
Phone: 303-446-8916
Quality: Intro to Q
Website: http://www.brighthorizons.com/montessori/mall/index.htm
Description: The Montessori educational approach invites children to learn at their own pace — to question, experiment, and grow as their curiosity and readiness dictates. We set high expectations for children and empower them to find their path of learning, an approach that helps them develop self-confidence, self-discipline, and independence. The multiage structure of our classrooms fosters social and emotional growth, allows children to be both learners and teachers, and instills a respect for others. The specialized Montessori learning materials give children a hands-on understanding of the fundamental concepts of math, language, and science. At a Bright Horizons Montessori School, children develop the skills they need to excel as learners and to succeed in life. Montessori at the Mall is conveniently located downtown off the 16th Street Mall between Curtis and Arapahoe. The school serves children 6 weeks to 6 years and hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 7:00 am – 6:00 pm. This school features secure entrances, an on-site outdoor playground and an indoor gross motor space, bi-lingual Spanish teachers in most age groups and an active parent partnership group. The Camp Explorations Summer Program provides extensive field trips and hands-on learning experiences, including culture activities in the downtown area.

Program: Bright Star Early Learning
Contact Name: Carol Peters
Email: director@brightstardenver.com
Address: 600 Gilpin St, Denver, CO 80218
Phone: 303-393-8648
Quality: 2
Website: http://www.brightstardenver.com/
Description: Bright Star Early Learning Center is a non-profit preschool and child care facility. Its superior early childhood education program offers: the latest developmentally appropriate toys, a curriculum integrated between age groups, science and discovery, music and rhythm, hands on creativity, math and counting, language development, an outdoor play area, and a great summer fun program. The foundation of the preschool program is based on a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment that will enhance your child's growth and self esteem. There are many creative, fun and educational activities at Bright Star. The children will spend each day playing with friends, singing, reading, baking and enjoying activities planned around such weekly themes as Our Five Senses, Ocean Journey, & Zoo Safari. The goal at Bright Star is to make sure that children move on to kindergarten with the social and academic skills needed to succeed. Bright Star is a full-time, year-round preschool and childcare facility that serves children ages 1 through 5. It is open from 7:00 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. daily and offers quality breakfast, lunch, and a snack to the children, along with genuine love and care.

Program: Bright Star Learning Palace I
Contact Name: Lydia Woods Washington
Email: wslydia@comcast.net
Address: 1405 Xanthia St, Denver, CO 80220
Phone: 303-388-5675
Quality: June
Website: No Web site
Description: No Description

Program: Brown (DPS)
Contact Name: Cheryl Caldwell
Email: Cheryl_Caldwell@dpsk12.org
Address: 2550 Lowell Boulevard, Denver, CO 80211
Phone: 303-477-1611
Quality: 3
Website: http://earlyeducation.dpsk12.org/
Description: Preschool is the first step towards a successful academic career and Denver Public Schools Early Childhood Education (ECE) program provides developmentally appropriate full-day and half-day preschool classes for 4-year-old children in Denver (select sites serve 3-year-olds). Classes are offered in a safe and nurturing environment that promotes the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of young children while responding to the needs of families. Adult to student ratios are between 1:8 and 1:10, depending on specific classrooms. Activities are designed to develop children’s self-esteem, create positive feelings toward learning, and prepare children for success in later grades. The learning activities are designed to build early literacy and math skills and are responsive to the needs of each child. Teachers have ECE credentials or endorsements, teaching certificates, and bring years of early childhood experience to the classroom. As of January 2009, all ECE classrooms in DPS were rated by Qualistar, an independent third party rating agency. Most schools received ratings of three of four stars, a very strong rating, and several received four-star ratings. Denver Public Schools has recently greatly expanded its preschool offerings and now offers more full-day classes in every corner of the city. ECE applications are available at all DPS schools beginning in January of each year. ECE is provided in every DPS elementary school except Bromwell, Slavens, and Polaris at Ebert. Please check the DPS website for offerings: http://earlyeducation.dpsk12.org/. Additionally, links to each school’s individual website are available at http://schoolforms.dpsk12.org/schoollist/.

Program: Bryant-Webster (DPS)
Contact Name: Cheryl Caldwell
Email: Cheryl_Caldwell@dpsk12.org
Address: 3635 Quivas Street, Denver, CO 80211
Phone: 303-433-3336
Quality: 3
Website: http://earlyeducation.dpsk12.org/
Description: Preschool is the first step towards a successful academic career and Denver Public Schools Early Childhood Education (ECE) program provides developmentally appropriate full-day and half-day preschool classes for 4-year-old children in Denver (select sites serve 3-year-olds). Classes are offered in a safe and nurturing environment that promotes the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of young children while responding to the needs of families. Adult to student ratios are between 1:8 and 1:10, depending on specific classrooms. Activities are designed to develop children’s self-esteem, create positive feelings toward learning, and prepare children for success in later grades. The learning activities are designed to build early literacy and math skills and are responsive to the needs of each child. Teachers have ECE credentials or endorsements, teaching certificates, and bring years of early childhood experience to the classroom. As of January 2009, all ECE classrooms in DPS were rated by Qualistar, an independent third party rating agency. Most schools received ratings of three of four stars, a very strong rating, and several received four-star ratings. Denver Public Schools has recently greatly expanded its preschool offerings and now offers more full-day classes in every corner of the city. ECE applications are available at all DPS schools beginning in January of each year. ECE is provided in every DPS elementary school except Bromwell, Slavens, and Polaris at Ebert. Please check the DPS website for offerings: http://earlyeducation.dpsk12.org/. Additionally, links to each school’s individual website are available at http://schoolforms.dpsk12.org/schoollist/.

Program: Calvary Temple Child Enrichment Center
Contact Name: Christine Sadozai
Email: csadozai@aol.com
Address: 200 S. University Blvd, Denver, CO 80209
Phone: 303-777-7723
Quality: Intro to Q
Website: http://cecdenver.com/#
Description:

Program: Carson (DPS)
Contact Name: Cheryl Caldwell
Email: Cheryl_Caldwell@dpsk12.org
Address: 5420 E 1st Ave, Denver, CO 80220
Phone: 303-355-7316
Quality: 3
Website: http://earlyeducation.dpsk12.org/
Description: Preschool is the first step towards a successful academic career and Denver Public Schools Early Childhood Education (ECE) program provides developmentally appropriate full-day and half-day preschool classes for 4-year-old children in Denver (select sites serve 3-year-olds). Classes are offered in a safe and nurturing environment that promotes the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of young children while responding to the needs of families. Adult to student ratios are between 1:8 and 1:10, depending on specific classrooms. Activities are designed to develop children’s self-esteem, create positive feelings toward learning, and prepare children for success in later grades. The learning activities are designed to build early literacy and math skills and are responsive to the needs of each child. Teachers have ECE credentials or endorsements, teaching certificates, and bring years of early childhood experience to the classroom. As of January 2009, all ECE classrooms in DPS were rated by Qualistar, an independent third party rating agency. Most schools received ratings of three of four stars, a very strong rating, and several received four-star ratings. Denver Public Schools has recently greatly expanded its preschool offerings and now offers more full-day classes in every corner of the city. ECE applications are available at all DPS schools beginning in January of each year. ECE is provided in every DPS elementary school except Bromwell, Slavens, and Polaris at Ebert. Please check the DPS website for offerings: http://earlyeducation.dpsk12.org/. Additionally, links to each school’s individual website are available at http://schoolforms.dpsk12.org/schoollist/.

Program: Castro (DPS)
Contact Name: Cheryl Caldwell
Email: Cheryl_Caldwell@dpsk12.org
Address: 845 S. Lowell Boulevard, Denver, CO 80219
Phone: 303-935-2458
Quality: 3
Website: http://earlyeducation.dpsk12.org/
Description: Preschool is the first step towards a successful academic career and Denver Public Schools Early Childhood Education (ECE) program provides developmentally appropriate full-day and half-day preschool classes for 4-year-old children in Denver (select sites serve 3-year-olds). Classes are offered in a safe and nurturing environment that promotes the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of young children while responding to the needs of families. Adult to student ratios are between 1:8 and 1:10, depending on specific classrooms. Activities are designed to develop children’s self-esteem, create positive feelings toward learning, and prepare children for success in later grades. The learning activities are designed to build early literacy and math skills and are responsive to the needs of each child. Teachers have ECE credentials or endorsements, teaching certificates, and bring years of early childhood experience to the classroom. As of January 2009, all ECE classrooms in DPS were rated by Qualistar, an independent third party rating agency. Most schools received ratings of three of four stars, a very strong rating, and several received four-star ratings. Denver Public Schools has recently greatly expanded its preschool offerings and now offers more full-day classes in every corner of the city. ECE applications are available at all DPS schools beginning in January of each year. ECE is provided in every DPS elementary school except Bromwell, Slavens, and Polaris at Ebert. Please check the DPS website for offerings: http://earlyeducation.dpsk12.org/. Additionally, links to each school’s individual website are available at http://schoolforms.dpsk12.org/schoollist/.

Program: Catholic Charities Child Development Center
Contact Name: Misty Riedlinger
Email: MRiedlinger@ccdenver.org
Address: 1155 Decatur Street, Denver, CO 80204
Phone: 303-742-0823, ext. 2041
Quality: 3
Website: No Web site
Description: Located in the Sun Valley neighborhood, the Child Development Center serves children from the age of 6 weeks up to 5 years. One of Catholic Charities two larger child care facilities, CDC has been providing child care, Head Start and Early Head Start programs since 1995. It has five infant/toddler rooms, one of which has just recently been refurbished. It is a Qualistar-rated program, and its hours of operation are 7:00 am until 6:00 pm Monday through Friday The Child Development Center truly exemplifies the philosophy that families are the first teachers of their children and that only through family and staff partnerships can children fully benefit from their educational experience. As a result, parents are strongly encouraged to become involved in their children’s education by volunteering and/or observing in their child’s classroom, attending family education workshops in addition to GED and ESL classes, and assisting with field trips, among other things. Also, activities that assist in developing the child’s skills are regularly sent home for parent’s use with their children. The Child Development Center employs the Creative Curriculum to ensure the use of developmentally appropriate practices. The curriculum is environmentally based and focuses on building relationships, understanding children, knowing families, and building a network of community support. Classrooms are designed around a variety of learning centers offering diverse educational experiences in math, science, reading, dramatic play, music and computers. In addition, CDC has “cozy corners” that provide quiet areas for the children. Strong mental health and disability components offer help and support for families and children with special needs. In addition, staff have access to expanded resources and effective practices to support the social/emotional development of the children. Family service workers at CDC provide information on community resources and referral as yet another way to support families and their children. Finally, bilingual staff is available on-site to better prepare English language learners for success in school.

Program: Catholic Charities Garfield Head Start
Contact Name: Misty Riedlinger
Email: MRiedlinger@ccdenver.org
Address: 872 S. Knox Court, Denver, CO 80219
Phone: 303-742-0823, ext. 2041
Quality: 4
Website: No Web site
Description: Garfield Head Start has served and supported children and their families in Denver’s Westwood neighborhood since 1998. It is a Qualistar-rated program, and its hours of operation are 8:00-11:30 am daily. The six Catholic Charities’ Stand-Alone Head Start sites—of which Garfield Head Start is one—truly exemplify the philosophy that families are the first teachers of their children and that only through family and staff partnerships can children fully benefit from their educational experience. As a result, parents are strongly encouraged to become involved in their children’s education by volunteering and/or observing in their child’s classroom, attending family education workshops in addition to GED and ESL classes, and assisting with field trips, among other things. Also, activities that assist in developing the child’s skills are regularly sent home for parent’s use with their children. The centers serve children ages 3-5, many of whom are dual-language learners. Classes of 15-17 are served by three teachers who employ the Creative Curriculum to ensure the use of developmentally appropriate practices. The curriculum is environmentally based and focuses on building relationships, understanding children, knowing families, and building a network of community support. Classrooms are designed around a variety of learning centers offering diverse educational experiences in math, science, reading, dramatic play, music and computers. In addition, the centers have “cozy corners” that provide quiet areas for the children. Strong mental health and disability components offer help and support for families and children with special needs. In addition, staff have access to expanded resources and effective practices to support the social/emotional development of the children. Family service workers at each site provide information on community resources and referral as yet another way to support the families and their children. Finally, bilingual staff is available at all sites to better prepare English language learners for success in school.

Program: Catholic Charities Kentucky Head Start
Contact Name: Misty Riedlinger
Email: MRiedlinger@ccdenver.org
Address: 852 S. Knox Court, Denver, CO 80219
Phone: 303-742-0823, ext. 2041
Quality: 4
Website: No Web site
Description: Kentucky Head Start has served and supported children and their families in Denver’s Westwood neighborhood since 1998. It is a Qualistar-rated program, and its hours of operation are 8:00-11:30 am daily. The six Catholic Charities’ Stand-Alone Head Start sites—of which Kentucky Head Start is one—truly exemplify the philosophy that families are the first teachers of their children and that only through family and staff partnerships can children fully benefit from their educational experience. As a result, parents are strongly encouraged to become involved in their children’s education by volunteering and/or observing in their child’s classroom, attending family education workshops in addition to GED and ESL classes, and assisting with field trips, among other things. Also, activities that assist in developing the child’s skills are regularly sent home for parent’s use with their children. The centers serve children ages 3-5, many of whom are dual-language learners. Classes of 15-17 are served by three teachers who employ the Creative Curriculum to ensure the use of developmentally appropriate practices. The curriculum is environmentally based and focuses on building relationships, understanding children, knowing families, and building a network of community support. Classrooms are designed around a variety of learning centers offering diverse educational experiences in math, science, reading, dramatic play, music and computers. In addition, the centers have “cozy corners” that provide quiet areas for the children. Strong mental health and disability components offer help and support for families and children with special needs. In addition, staff have access to expanded resources and effective practices to support the social/emotional development of the children. Family service workers at each site provide information on community resources and referral as yet another way to support the families and their children. Finally, bilingual staff is available at all sites to better prepare English language learners for success in school.

Program: Catholic Charities Lenore' B Quick
Contact Name: Misty Riedlinger
Email: MRiedlinger@ccdenver.org
Address: 3536 Lafayette Street, Denver, CO 80205
Phone: 303-742-0823, ext. 2041
Quality: 3
Website: No Web site
Description: Lenore B. Quick Head Start has been operating in Annunciation School in the Cole neighborhood of Denver since 1999. A good community connection has developed between the school and the Head Start program as they both advocate for children and their families. In fact, many of the children graduate from the Head Start program and continue their education at Annunciation School. Lenore B. Quick is a Qualistar-rated program, and its hours of operation are 8:00-11:30 am daily. The six Catholic Charities’ Stand-Alone Head Start sites—of which Lenore B. Quick Head Start is one—truly exemplify the philosophy that families are the first teachers of their children and that only through family and staff partnerships can children fully benefit from their educational experience. As a result, parents are strongly encouraged to become involved in their children’s education by volunteering and/or observing in their child’s classroom, attending family education workshops in addition to GED and ESL classes, and assisting with field trips, among other things. Also, activities that assist in developing the child’s skills are regularly sent home for parent’s use with their children. The centers serve children ages 3-5, many of whom are dual-language learners. Classes of 15-17 are served by three teachers who employ the Creative Curriculum to ensure the use of developmentally appropriate practices. The curriculum is environmentally based and focuses on building relationships, understanding children, knowing families, and building a network of community support. Classrooms are designed around a variety of learning centers offering diverse educational experiences in math, science, reading, dramatic play, music and computers. In addition, the centers have “cozy corners” that provide quiet areas for the children. Strong mental health and disability components offer help and support for families and children with special needs. In addition, staff have access to expanded resources and effective practices to support the social/emotional development of the children. Family service workers at each site provide information on community resources and referral as yet another way to support the families and their children. Finally, bilingual staff is available at all sites to better prepare English language learners for success in school.

Program: Catholic Charities Little Munchkins Head Start
Contact Name: Misty Riedlinger
Email: MRiedlinger@ccdenver.org
Address: 1205 W. 10th Avenue, Denver, CO 80204
Phone: 303-742-0823, ext. 2041
Quality: 3
Website: No Web site
Description: Opened in 1997, Little Munchkins Head Start offers services to children and families in the Auraria/Lincoln Park neighborhood. It is a Qualistar-rated program, and its hours of operation are 8:00-11:30 am daily. The six Catholic Charities’ Stand-Alone Head Start sites—of which Little Munchkins Head Start is one—truly exemplify the philosophy that families are the first teachers of their children and that only through family and staff partnerships can children fully benefit from their educational experience. As a result, parents are strongly encouraged to become involved in their children’s education by volunteering and/or observing in their child’s classroom, attending family education workshops in addition to GED and ESL classes, and assisting with field trips, among other things. Also, activities that assist in developing the child’s skills are regularly sent home for parent’s use with their children. The centers serve children ages 3-5, many of whom are dual-language learners. Classes of 15-17 are served by three teachers who employ the Creative Curriculum to ensure the use of developmentally appropriate practices. The curriculum is environmentally based and focuses on building relationships, understanding children, knowing families, and building a network of community support. Classrooms are designed around a variety of learning centers offering diverse educational experiences in math, science, reading, dramatic play, music and computers. In addition, the centers have “cozy corners” that provide quiet areas for the children. Strong mental health and disability components offer help and support for families and children with special needs. In addition, staff have access to expanded resources and effective practices to support the social/emotional development of the children. Family service workers at each site provide information on community resources and referral as yet another way to support the families and their children. Finally, bilingual staff is available at all sites to better prepare English language learners for success in school.

Program: Catholic Charities Margery Reed
Contact Name: Misty Riedlinger
Email: MRiedlinger@ccdenver.org
Address: 1128 28th Street, Denver, CO 80205
Phone: 303-742-0823, ext. 2041
Quality: 4
Website: No Web site
Description: Located in the Five Points/Curtis Park neighborhood, the Margery Reed Mayo Day Nursery has provided services to the area since 1998, but the building itself goes back to 1926. Margery Reed is a full-day center offering Early Head Start, Head Start and child care programs. In addition, 23 school-age children are cared for in a before and after-school program. The center serves children from infancy to 12 years of age. It is a Qualistar-rated program, and its hours of operation are 7:00 am until 6:00 pm Monday through Friday The Margery Reed Mayo Day Nursery truly exemplifies the philosophy that families are the first teachers of their children and that only through family and staff partnerships can children fully benefit from their educational experience. As a result, parents are strongly encouraged to become involved in their children’s education by volunteering and/or observing in their child’s classroom, attending family education workshops in addition to GED and ESL classes, and assisting with field trips, among other things. Also, activities that assist in developing the child’s skills are regularly sent home for parent’s use with their children. The Margery Reed Mayo Day Nursery employs the Creative Curriculum to ensure the use of developmentally appropriate practices. The curriculum is environmentally based and focuses on building relationships, understanding children, knowing families, and building a network of community support. Classrooms are designed around a variety of learning centers offering diverse educational experiences in math, science, reading, dramatic play, music and computers. In addition, Margery Reed has “cozy corners” that provide quiet areas for the children. Strong mental health and disability components offer help and support for families and children with special needs. In addition, staff have access to expanded resources and effective practices to support the social/emotional development of the children. Family service workers at Margery Reed provide information on community resources and referral as yet another way to support families and their children. Finally, bilingual staff is available on-site to better prepare English language learners for success in school.

Program: Catholic Charities Mi Segunda Casa Head Start
Contact Name: Misty Riedlinger
Email: MRiedlinger@ccdenver.org
Address: 430 W. 9th Avenue, Denver, CO 80204
Phone: 303-742-0823, ext. 2041
Quality: 4
Website: No Web site
Description: Opened in 1997, Mi Segunda Casa Head Start offers services to children and families in the Auraria/Lincoln Park neighborhood. It is a Qualistar-rated program, and its hours of operation are 8:00-11:30 am daily. The six Catholic Charities’ Stand-Alone Head Start sites—of which Mi Segunda Casa Head Start is one—truly exemplify the philosophy that families are the first teachers of their children and that only through family and staff partnerships can children fully benefit from their educational experience. As a result, parents are strongly encouraged to become involved in their children’s education by volunteering and/or observing in their child’s classroom, attending family education workshops in addition to GED and ESL classes, and assisting with field trips, among other things. Also, activities that assist in developing the child’s skills are regularly sent home for parent’s use with their children. The centers serve children ages 3-5, many of whom are dual-language learners. Classes of 15-17 are served by three teachers who employ the Creative Curriculum to ensure the use of developmentally appropriate practices. The curriculum is environmentally based and focuses on building relationships, understanding children, knowing families, and building a network of community support. Classrooms are designed around a variety of learning centers offering diverse educational experiences in math, science, reading, dramatic play, music and computers. In addition, the centers have “cozy corners” that provide quiet areas for the children. Strong mental health and disability components offer help and support for families and children with special needs. In addition, staff have access to expanded resources and effective practices to support the social/emotional development of the children. Family service workers at each site provide information on community resources and referral as yet another way to support the families and their children. Finally, bilingual staff is available at all sites to better prepare English language learners for success in school.

Program: Catholic Charities St. Rose of Lima
Contact Name: Misty Riedlinger
Email: MRiedlinger@ccdenver.org
Address: 1345 W. Dakota Avenue, Denver, CO 80223
Phone: 303-742-0823, ext. 2041
Quality: 3
Website: No Web site
Description: Located in the Valverde neighborhood, Catholic Charities Head Start at St. Rose of Lima School is a small, family-friendly child care center offering both full and half-day sessions in a home-like environment. Morning sessions run from 8:15 am until 11:45 am, afternoon sessions from 12:30 pm until 4:00 pm, while full-day classes operate from 7:00 am until 6:00 pm. It offers a Qualistar-rated program. The six Catholic Charities’ Stand-Alone Head Start sites—of which Catholic Charities Head Start at St. Rose of Lima School is one—truly exemplify the philosophy that families are the first teachers of their children and that only through family and staff partnerships can children fully benefit from their educational experience. As a result, parents are strongly encouraged to become involved in their children’s education by volunteering and/or observing in their child’s classroom, attending family education workshops in addition to GED and ESL classes, and assisting with field trips, among other things. Also, activities that assist in developing the child’s skills are regularly sent home for parent’s use with their children. The centers serve children ages 3-5, many of whom are dual-language learners. Classes of 15-17 are served by three teachers who employ the Creative Curriculum to ensure the use of developmentally appropriate practices. The curriculum is environmentally based and focuses on building relationships, understanding children, knowing families, and building a network of community support. Classrooms are designed around a variety of learning centers offering diverse educational experiences in math, science, reading, dramatic play, music and computers. In addition, the centers have “cozy corners” that provide quiet areas for the children. Strong mental health and disability components offer help and support for families and children with special needs. In addition, staff have access to expanded resources and effective practices to support the social/emotional development of the children. Family service workers at each site provide information on community resources and referral as yet another way to support the families and their children. Finally, bilingual staff is available at all sites to better prepare English language learners for success in school.

Program: CCI Montessori
Contact Name: Jessica Bidlingmaier
Email: ccimontessori@hotmail.com
Address: 11200 E 45th Ave Unit B, Denver, CO 80239
Phone: 720-746-2140
Quality: Intro to Q
Website: No Web site
Description:

Program: CEC Early Learning Academy
Contact Name: Ramona Hall
Email: ramona_hall@dpsk12.org
Address: 2650 Eliot Street, Denver, CO 80211
Phone: 720-423-6613
Quality: 4
Website: http://www.dosomethingreal.com/preschool.html
Description: The CEC Early Learning Academy believes that play is the primary vehicle for and the best indicator of a child's growth and development. Activities are developmentally appropriate and incorporate the Building Blocks to Colorado's State Standards of learning. Children are encouraged to question, explore, imagine, and problem solve each day. The center's primary goal is to help children foster a love of learning. The CEC Early Learning Academy provides full-day childcare from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday through Friday following the Denver Public Schools calendar. We accept children ages 3-5 (by October 1st) who are potty trained. Some other highlights of the program include: a four-star Qualistar rating; exciting monthly field trips and guest presenters; lots of nutritious food, breakfast, lunch and two snacks are provided daily; a highly qualified teaching staff with over 30 years experience; lots of learning space and a beautiful playground; and a maximum class size of 16 with a teacher/child ratio of 1:8. Parents are expected to participate in at least five activities each year, including a home visit, enrollment conference, and at least one parent conference.

Program: Centennial (DPS)
Contact Name: Cheryl Caldwell
Email: Cheryl_Caldwell@dpsk12.org
Address: 4665 Raleigh Street, Denver, CO 80212
Phone: 303-433-6489
Quality: 3
Website: http://earlyeducation.dpsk12.org/
Description: Preschool is the first step towards a successful academic career and Denver Public Schools Early Childhood Education (ECE) program provides developmentally appropriate full-day and half-day preschool classes for 4-year-old children in Denver (select sites serve 3-year-olds). Classes are offered in a safe and nurturing environment that promotes the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of young children while responding to the needs of families. Adult to student ratios are between 1:8 and 1:10, depending on specific classrooms. Activities are designed to develop children’s self-esteem, create positive feelings toward learning, and prepare children for success in later grades. The learning activities are designed to build early literacy and math skills and are responsive to the needs of each child. Teachers have ECE credentials or endorsements, teaching certificates, and bring years of early childhood experience to the classroom. As of January 2009, all ECE classrooms in DPS were rated by Qualistar, an independent third party rating agency. Most schools received ratings of three of four stars, a very strong rating, and several received four-star ratings. Denver Public Schools has recently greatly expanded its preschool offerings and now offers more full-day classes in every corner of the city. ECE applications are available at all DPS schools beginning in January of each year. ECE is provided in every DPS elementary school except Bromwell, Slavens, and Polaris at Ebert. Please check the DPS website for offerings: http://earlyeducation.dpsk12.org/. Additionally, links to each school’s individual website are available at http://schoolforms.dpsk12.org/schoollist/.

Program: Cheltenham (DPS)
Contact Name: Cheryl Caldwell
Email: Cheryl_Caldwell@dpsk12.org
Address: 1580 Julian Street, Denver, CO 80204
Phone: 303-825-3323
Quality: 3
Website: http://earlyeducation.dpsk12.org/
Description: Preschool is the first step towards a successful academic career and Denver Public Schools Early Childhood Education (ECE) program provides developmentally appropriate full-day and half-day preschool classes for 4-year-old children in Denver (select sites serve 3-year-olds). Classes are offered in a safe and nurturing environment that promotes the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of young children while responding to the needs of families. Adult to student ratios are between 1:8 and 1:10, depending on specific classrooms. Activities are designed to develop children’s self-esteem, create positive feelings toward learning, and prepare children for success in later grades. The learning activities are designed to build early literacy and math skills and are responsive to the needs of each child. Teachers have ECE credentials or endorsements, teaching certificates, and bring years of early childhood experience to the classroom. As of January 2009, all ECE classrooms in DPS were rated by Qualistar, an independent third party rating agency. Most schools received ratings of three of four stars, a very strong rating, and several received four-star ratings. Denver Public Schools has recently greatly expanded its preschool offerings and now offers more full-day classes in every corner of the city. ECE applications are available at all DPS schools beginning in January of each year. ECE is provided in every DPS elementary school except Bromwell, Slavens, and Polaris at Ebert. Please check the DPS website for offerings: http://earlyeducation.dpsk12.org/. Additionally, links to each school’s individual website are available at http://schoolforms.dpsk12.org/schoollist/.

Program: Cherry Grove Preschool
Contact Name: Carlos Adames
Email: cherrygrovepreschool@comcast.net
Address: 14303 E. Evans Dr., Aurora, CO 80014
Phone: 720-747-4481
Quality: 1
Website: http://cherrygrovepreschool.com/
Description: Cherry Grove Preschool is more than just a “day care” for your child. Cherry Grove believes that a second language is the greatest gift you can give your child. It is also a childcare center where the learning never stops. Every age level has a program carefully constructed to create the best possible learning experience. Cherry Grove prides itself in being the only preschool and childcare facility in the Denver Metropolitan area that provides a bilingual education for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old. Program highlights include: English/Spanish curriculum for all ages; low child-to-staff ratios; a loving, caring, and positive environment for every child; a Qualistar-rated program; every teacher is Group Leader qualified; the staff is trained in CPR/first aid; every teacher has an Early Child Education (ECE) degree; and every child's learning capacity is maximized. Summer camp and extended-day programs are also offered. Los puntos culminantes del programa de Cherry Grove incluyen: pocos ninos por salon; gran ambiente con mucho amor; maestras hispano-parlantes; el mejor programa escolar; educacion bilingue que empieza desde las seis semanas de nacido; todas las maestras cuentan con estudios de nivel preescolar; programa de Qualistar. ¡Dele a su hijo un regalo para toda la vida!

Program: Children Are The Future
Contact Name: Gaylynn McIntyre
Email: waspracing16@msn.com
Address: 2817 Zenobia St, Denver, CO 80212
Phone: 303-455-1315
Quality: Intro to Q
Website: No Web site
Description: Children Are the Future has been operating in the North Denver area since 1986. Its 9 spacious classrooms allow your child to receive special individualized attention while still being surrounded by the comfort and security of his or her peer group. The center prides itself in having personnel with lots of long-term training. The goal of Children Are the Future is to provide an early childhood education program that offers a healthy, safe, and loving environment that enhances each child’s unique spirit. In order to stimulate your child’s emotional, social, physical, and cognitive growth, the staff provides—in addition to the daily curriculum—a wide variety of age-appropriate activities including cooking projects, puppet shows, visiting play groups, and magic shows. Children Are the Future also believes that parents are an important part of children’s learning experiences and are partners in the education and care of the children. Perhaps most importantly, Children Are the Future strives to foster a positive self-image in each and every child. The center accepts children from 6 weeks to 6 years of age and is open from 6am to 6pm Monday-Friday. It serves breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack daily. Feel free to stop by and visit anytime.

Program: Children's Chalet Daycare
Contact Name: Alia Omer
Email: aliaomer2003@yahoo.com
Address: 982 S. Peoria St., Aurora, CO 80012
Phone: 303-343-0619
Quality: 3
Website: No Web site
Description: Operating in Aurora since 1997, the Children’s Chalet has been recognized for its commitment to improving the quality of its early childhood care and education. Serving children birth to school-age, Children’s Chalet’s director and staff strive for excellence in everything they do. This pursuit of excellence has led them to become highly involved in the Arapahoe County Early Childhood Council. This involvement allows their program to offer support and services that are not typically offered in child care settings, including but not limited to: staff training and on-site coaching, staff scholarships for college coursework, child mental health support through a partnership with an Aurora Mental Health Center consultant, and Parents-As-Teachers groups. Children’s Chalet recognizes that it is only through providing quality services such as these that young children can grow and thrive.

Program: Children's Corner Learning Center
Contact Name: Lisa Benson
Email: childrenscornerlearningcenter@yahoo.com
Address: 4780 Eliot St, Denver, CO 80211
Phone: 303-433-1976
Quality: June
Website: No Web site
Description: No Description

Program: Children's Haven
Contact Name: Shelley Cordova or Anne Fridgen
Email: directoratchildrenshaven@earthlink.net
Address: 2600 S Sheridan Blvd, Denver, CO 80227
Phone: 303-980-6620
Quality: Intro to Q
Website: http://www.childrenshaven.com/
Description: Children's Haven is a family operated non-profit child care center that believes in providing quality child care for infants, toddlers, preschool children, and before- and after-school children; it also has a full summer program for all ages. The preschool consists of children age three (and "potty-trained") to six. These children are really ready to learn and have fun doing it! To help with that learning, Children's Haven offers a "whole language" curriculum that includes language arts, finger plays, arts and crafts, social studies, science, math, reading readiness, music and movement. It is specifically designed by a curriculum coordinator who develops the curriculum on a monthly basis. Activities included in this curriculum focus on number concepts, perceptual skills and pre-writing skills such as tracing, completing patterns and reproducing patterns. These are combined with activities for small motor development such as cutting, pasting and using crayons or pencils. The goal is to help children develop a foundation for basic math, reading and writing skills. Additionally, Children's Haven allows plenty of time for children to learn during their own self-directed play. Important lessons the children learn from interacting with one another include cooperation, sharing, turn-taking and problem-solving. Children's Haven was established in 1988. Under one owner since inception, this location is equipped with a coded keypad security entrance along with a specialized fire alarm system that includes a modern directional escape system. It has a specialized program designed for teen parents of all counties allowing them to remain in school while their children receive loving care.

Program: Children's Outreach Project
Contact Name: Stephanie Baer
Email: stephanie.baer@cop-denver.org
Address: 8000 Pecos St., Denver, CO 80221
Phone: 303-429-0653
Quality: 4
Website: http://childrensoutreachproject.org/
Description: Children’s Outreach Project (C.O.P.) is a non-profit, therapeutic preschool and child care center that has provided diverse and integrated early childhood education to typical, accelerated and developmentally delayed children in the North Metro Denver area for nearly 40 years. The staff of C.O.P. is committed to building children by offering the highest quality educational programming for its preschool and kindergarten students in all areas of development: social, emotional, intellectual, physical, sensory and language. Children are provided play and learning experiences that are age-appropriate, stimulating and fun, enhancing each child’s potential for future success. Every classroom at Children’s Outreach Project follows a developmentally appropriate model called Creative Curriculum. This curriculum focuses on four major areas: social and emotional skills, physical growth, cognitive awareness, and language development. Children are taught respect for each other, teachers, and for classroom materials. Honesty and cooperation are promoted with all children. Parents are an important part of C.O.P.’s program; parental involvement in the school and participation in special events is strongly encouraged. The center offers parent education classes to families at no charge periodically throughout the year. C.O.P. also provides therapeutic services to children who exhibit a need. These therapies are offered at no additional charge to families.

Program: Christ Lutheran Early Childhood Center
Contact Name: Renee Williams
Email: renee@christlutherandenver.org
Address: 2695 S. Franklin St, Denver, CO 80210
Phone: 303-722-1424
Quality: Intro to Q
Website: http://www.christlutherandenver.org/education.html
Description: Christ Lutheran Church considers it part of its work and mission to assist parents in the development of their children. As such, the community operates an Early Childhood Center that offers young children a Christian setting in which to grow, learn, and develop physically, spiritually, intellectually and socially. The Christ Lutheran Early Childhood Center offers children an outstanding opportunity for achieving the goals of Christian education outside the home. It will help them develop healthy personalities, form values, develop their consciences, feelings, and attitudes, which form the foundation for a positive self-image and good relationships. The Center features the benefits of: small class sizes with a nurturing, loving environment; curriculum which develops both skills for life and skills for school; a large play ground; morning and afternoon snacks; and a hot lunch served Monday through Thursday (children bring a sack lunch on Fridays). All of these benefits come at very reasonable, affordable rates. The Center welcomes all children who are at least 2½ years old and who are fully potty-trained. While Christ Lutheran is a faith-based institution, the Denver Preschool Program only provides tuition credits for those parts of the day during which religious instruction does not occur. The Early Childhood Center’s classroom programs include: 4-year-old Pre-Kindergarten Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30 - 11:40 a.m.; 3-year-old Preschool Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30 - 11:40 a.m.; and 2 1/2 –year-old Preschool Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30 - 11:40 a.m. Child care is available on a year-round basis, Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. A child enrolled in the Child Care program is included in the class programs at no additional charge. Additionally, summer child care is offered for children aged 2½ to 6 from June through August and includes daily projects as well as play time.

Program: Christ the King Roman Catholic School
Contact Name: Jim Feldewerth
Email: heidi0708@ckrcs.org
Address: 860 Elm St, Denver, CO 80220
Phone: 303-321-2123
Quality: Intro to Q
Website: http://www.christthekingdenver.org/tp40/page.asp?ID=58048
Description: No Description

Program: Circle of Love
Contact Name: Karen Rumor
Email: auntkaren@comcast.net
Address: 1508 S. Jasmine St., Denver, CO 80224
Phone: 303-504-0123
Quality: 4
Website: No Web site
Description: No Description

Program: Clayton Educare
Contact Name: Cathy McCarty
Email: helpdesk@claytonearlylearning.org
Address: 3751 MLK Blvd., Denver, CO 80205
Phone: 303-355-4411
Quality: 3
Website: www.claytonearlylearning.org
Description: Clayton Educare is a high quality early childhood program that produces positive outcomes for children, parents, and staff. What makes its design and implementation unique? The Clayton commitment to exemplifying a professional learning community. By providing individualized support to all members of their community—their children, their families, and their staff—Clayton Educare ensures each child has equal access to successful learning opportunities. Collaborations with local partners, Denver Public Schools, and institutions of higher education support the learning community in providing the knowledge, resources, and professional development necessary to achieve positive child outcomes and program goals. Clayton Educare’s preschool work focuses on visual and auditory discrimination, spatial perception, story comprehension and memory, language and literacy concepts, social/emotional development, eye-hand coordination, beginning math and science concepts, creative arts, group socialization, and field trip learning experiences. In addition, the staff works with the children and their families in the areas of health and nutrition. Through the program’s use of the Creative Curriculum, preschoolers spend their day interacting with teachers and other children with books, toys, and learning materials. Clayton Educare offers both part-day (8am – 11:30am or 12:30pm – 4pm) and extended-day (7:30am – 6pm) preschool options.

Program: Cole (DPS)
Contact Name: Cheryl Caldwell
Email: Cheryl.Caldwell@dpsk12.org
Address: 3240 Humboldt St, Denver, CO 80205
Phone: 720-423-9120
Quality: 3
Website: http://earlyeducation.dpsk12.org/
Description: Preschool is the first step towards a successful academic career and Denver Public Schools Early Childhood Education (ECE) program provides developmentally appropriate full-day and half-day preschool classes for 4-year-old children in Denver (select sites serve 3-year-olds). Classes are offered in a safe and nurturing environment that promotes the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of young children while responding to the needs of families. Adult to student ratios are between 1:8 and 1:10, depending on specific classrooms. Activities are designed to develop children’s self-esteem, create positive feelings toward learning, and prepare children for success in later grades. The learning activities are designed to build early literacy and math skills and are responsive to the needs of each child. Teachers have ECE credentials or endorsements, teaching certificates, and bring years of early childhood experience to the classroom. As of January 2009, all ECE classrooms in DPS were rated by Qualistar, an independent third party rating agency. Most schools received ratings of three of four stars, a very strong rating, and several received four-star ratings. Denver Public Schools has recently greatly expanded its preschool offerings and now offers more full-day classes in every corner of the city. ECE applications are available at all DPS schools beginning in January of each year. ECE is provided in every DPS elementary school except Bromwell, Slavens, and Polaris at Ebert. Please check the DPS website for offerings: http://earlyeducation.dpsk12.org/. Additionally, links to each school’s individual website are available at http://schoolforms.dpsk12.org/schoollist/.

Program: Colfax (DPS)
Contact Name: Cheryl Caldwell
Email: Cheryl_Caldwell@dpsk12.org
Address: 1526 Tennyson Street, Denver, CO 80204
Phone: 303-623-6148
Quality: 4
Website: http://earlyeducation.dpsk12.org/
Description: Preschool is the first step towards a successful academic career and Denver Public Schools Early Childhood Education (ECE) program provides developmentally appropriate full-day and half-day preschool classes for 4-year-old children in Denver (select sites serve 3-year-olds). Classes are offered in a safe and nurturing environment that promotes the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of young children while responding to the needs of families. Adult to student ratios are between 1:8 and 1:10, depending on specific classrooms. Activities are designed to develop children’s self-esteem, create positive feelings toward learning, and prepare children for success in later grades. The learning activities are designed to build early literacy and math skills and are responsive to the needs of each child. Teachers have ECE credentials or endorsements, teaching certificates, and bring years of early childhood experience to the classroom. As of January 2009, all ECE classrooms in DPS were rated by Qualistar, an independent third party rating agency. Most schools received ratings of three of four stars, a very strong rating, and several received four-star ratings. Denver Public Schools has recently greatly expanded its preschool offerings and now offers more full-day classes in every corner of the city. ECE applications are available at all DPS schools beginning in January of each year. ECE is provided in every DPS elementary school except Bromwell, Slavens, and Polaris at Ebert. Please check the DPS website for offerings: http://earlyeducation.dpsk12.org/. Additionally, links to each school’s individual website are available at http://schoolforms.dpsk12.org/schoollist/.

Program: College View (DPS)
Contact Name: Cheryl Caldwell
Email: Cheryl_Caldwell@dpsk12.org
Address: 2675 S. Decatur Street, Denver, CO 80219
Phone: 720-424-8660
Quality: 3
Website: http://earlyeducation.dpsk12.org/
Description: Preschool is the first step towards a successful academic career and Denver Public Schools Early Childhood Education (ECE) program provides developmentally appropriate full-day and half-day preschool classes for 4-year-old children in Denver (select sites serve 3-year-olds). Classes are offered in a safe and nurturing environment that promotes the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of young children while responding to the needs of families. Adult to student ratios are between 1:8 and 1:10, depending on specific classrooms. Activities are designed to develop children’s self-esteem, create positive feelings toward learning, and prepare children for success in later grades. The learning activities are designed to build early literacy and math skills and are responsive to the needs of each child. Teachers have ECE credentials or endorsements, teaching certificates, and bring years of early childhood experience to the classroom. As of January 2009, all ECE classrooms in DPS were rated by Qualistar, an independent third party rating agency. Most schools received ratings of three of four stars, a very strong rating, and several received four-star ratings. Denver Public Schools has recently greatly expanded its preschool offerings and now offers more full-day classes in every corner of the city. ECE applications are available at all DPS schools beginning in January of each year. ECE is provided in every DPS elementary school except Bromwell, Slavens, and Polaris at Ebert. Please check the DPS website for offerings: http://earlyeducation.dpsk12.org/. Additionally, links to each school’s individual website are available at http://schoolforms.dpsk12.org/schoollist/.

Program: Colonnade Children's Center
Contact Name: Kim Boronda
Email: kimberly.boronda@gsa.gov
Address: 1244 Speer Blvd #170, Denver, CO 80204
Phone: 303-844-2428
Quality: 4
Website: http://childcarepartners.net/
Description: Colonnade Children's Center is located in the Caesar E. Chavez Memorial Building in downtown Denver. Accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, Colonnade Children's Center is a year-round program open Monday through Friday. Infant Nursery hours are from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM, and Toddler and Preschool program hours are from 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM. As a Federal GSA child care facility, priority is given to Federal employees; however, families from the general public are also welcome. The center cares for children ages 6 weeks through 6 years and serves morning and afternoon snacks as well as nutritious, home-cooked lunches that meet USDA Federal Food Program standards. With five classrooms and two play yards, Colonnade Children's Center provides the best of both worlds for its families: a home-like environment and a quality educational program. The preschool room participates in CPP (Colorado Preschool Program) which requires regular program quality audits to ensure compliance with high standards of care and education. Colonnade Children's Center is a government-secured site, and all people who access the Center go through the facility security system. To schedule a time to tour, please contact Kim Boronda, the Center Director, at 303-844-2428 or at kimberley.boronda@gsa.gov.

Program: Colorado International School
Contact Name: Judith Vednick
Email: judith@coloradointernationalschool.org
Address: 4100 E. Iliff Avenue, Denver, CO 80222
Phone: 303-282-6666
Quality: 2
Website: http://www.coloradointernationalschool.org/academic/ece.htm
Description: Colorado International School (CoIS) is an independent, American international school located in south Denver. The school offers full and part-time programs in French, Mandarin Chinese, German and Spanish. Colorado International School’s preschool and kindergarten are based on the Primary Years Program of the International Baccalaureate Organization curriculum, with whom the school is seeking affiliation and eventual accreditation. The children are involved in full language immersion classes, where only the targeted world language is spoken in order to create a solid foundation for that language. Children essentially learn their second language in the same way they learned their native tongue—hearing it, interactively listening to it, responding in it, and using it in context to real life. Human development is a fixed process, and so is the natural development of language. The most effective language development programs follow these natural processes, which is why full immersion is so dramatically effective during the children's early years. They are assimilating two or even three languages simultaneously by simply "living them." In no other time in a human's life is language development so easy. Of course we can learn languages all of our lives, at any time, but the early years are the formative ones where children simply absorb and live the languages they experience. The academic program is full of real-life experiences. Children learn best by constructing their own reality through personal experience. All concepts are developed within the child's internal structures and so they learn by doing, not by being told what to know. Through trial and error and seeing for themselves how their world works, both physically and socially, children create mental constructs, which are the basis of all human intelligence. If we want our children to be intelligent, we must offer them the broadest possible opportunities for personally experiencing their world. At CoIS, this includes providing dynamic learning centers for children and offering a variety of experiences based on thematic units of study where reading, math and scientific investigation are all integrated in comprehensible and inter-related activities—and all within the environment of a second language.

Program: Columbian (DPS)
Contact Name: Cheryl Caldwell
Email: Cheryl_Caldwell@dpsk12.org
Address: 2925 W. 40th Avenue, Denver, CO 80211
Phone: 303-433-2539
Quality: 3
Website: http://earlyeducation.dpsk12.org/
Description: Preschool is the first step towards a successful academic career and Denver Public Schools Early Childhood Education (ECE) program provides developmentally appropriate full-day and half-day preschool classes for 4-year-old children in Denver (select sites serve 3-year-olds). Classes are offered in a safe and nurturing environment that promotes the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of young children while responding to the needs of families. Adult to student ratios are between 1:8 and 1:10, depending on specific classrooms. Activities are designed to develop children’s self-esteem, create positive feelings toward learning, and prepare children for success in later grades. The learning activities are designed to build early literacy and math skills and are responsive to the needs of each child. Teachers have ECE credentials or endorsements, teaching certificates, and bring years of early childhood experience to the classroom. As of January 2009, all ECE classrooms in DPS were rated by Qualistar, an independent third party rating agency. Most schools received ratings of three of four stars, a very strong rating, and several received four-star ratings. Denver Public Schools has recently greatly expanded its preschool offerings and now offers more full-day classes in every corner of the city. ECE applications are available at all DPS schools beginning in January of each year. ECE is provided in every DPS elementary school except Bromwell, Slavens, and Polaris at Ebert. Please check the DPS website for offerings: http://earlyeducation.dpsk12.org/. Additionally, links to each school’s individual website are available at http://schoolforms.dpsk12.org/schoollist/.

Program: Columbine (DPS)
Contact Name: Cheryl Caldwell
Email: Cheryl_Caldwell@dpsk12.org
Address: 2540 E. 29th Avenue, Denver, CO 80205
Phone: 303-388-3617
Quality: 3
Website: http://earlyeducation.dpsk12.org/
Description: Preschool is the first step towards a successful academic career and Denver Public Schools Early Childhood Education (ECE) program provides developmentally appropriate full-day and half-day preschool classes for 4-year-old children in Denver (select sites serve 3-year-olds). Classes are offered in a safe and nurturing environment that promotes the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of young children while responding to the needs of families. Adult to student ratios are between 1:8 and 1:10, depending on specific classrooms. Activities are designed to develop children’s self-esteem, create positive feelings toward learning, and prepare children for success in later grades. The learning activities are designed to build early literacy and math skills and are responsive to the needs of each child. Teachers have ECE credentials or endorsements, teaching certificates, and bring years of early childhood experience to the classroom. As of January 2009, all ECE classrooms in DPS were rated by Qualistar, an independent third party rating agency. Most schools received ratings of three of four stars, a very strong rating, and several received four-star ratings. Denver Public Schools has recently greatly expanded its preschool offerings and now offers more full-day classes in every corner of the city. ECE applications are available at all DPS schools beginning in January of each year. ECE is provided in every DPS elementary school except Bromwell, Slavens, and Polaris at Ebert. Please check the DPS website for offerings: http://earlyeducation.dpsk12.org/. Additionally, links to each school’s individual website are available at http://schoolforms.dpsk12.org/schoollist/.

Program: Congregation Rodef Shalom
Contact Name: Anita Hill
Email: preschool@rodef-shalom.org
Address: 450 S Kearney St, Denver, CO 80224
Phone: 303-256-1061
Quality: Intro to Q
Website: http://www.rodef-shalom.org/preschool.html
Description: Rodef Shalom Preschool was established and licensed by the State of Colorado in 2001. The school has a safe, child-centered, nurturing, Jewish environment and a curriculum that emphasizes the development of the whole child: social, emotional, physical, cognitive and Judaic. Class sizes are small in order to ensure the optimal learning experience for each child. Through exploration and play, the experienced staff encourage and provide children the opportunity to thrive and grow while developing curiosity and a love of learning. Rodef Shalom is committed to providing a high quality early childhood program so that each child may develop to his or her fullest potential. Program goals include: meeting the diverse needs of each child by being attentive to their individual developmental level, immersing each child in a relaxed, loving environment, rich in opportunity for discovery, play and exploration; encouraging each child to understand cooperative play, respect for others, and building positive relationships with friends; guiding children toward an awareness of who they are as individuals, as Jews and as members of the larger community in which they live; and forging a partnership with parents to enhance and expand the foundations they have in place at home. Rodef serves children ages 12 months through four years (visit the website for specific program options and hours). The school’s staff is made up of professionals who are warm, caring and have a genuine love of children. The teachers are highly qualified and experienced and participate in ongoing early childhood training. The school’s strong Judaic curriculum includes the celebration and observance of Jewish Holidays, customs and values, including a very special Friday morning all-school Shabbat celebration. While Rodef is a faith-based institution, the Denver Preschool Program only provides tuition credits for those parts of the day during which religious instruction does not occur. The program is open to both Jewish and non-Jewish families alike, anyone who would like the experience of a small environment and small student to teacher ratios.

Program: Cory (DPS)
Contact Name: Cheryl Caldwell
Email: Cheryl_Caldwell@dpsk12.org
Address: 1550 S. Steele Street, Denver, CO 80210
Phone: 303-744-2726
Quality: 3
Website: http://earlyeducation.dpsk12.org/
Description: Preschool is the first step towards a successful academic career and Denver Public Schools Early Childhood Education (ECE) program provides developmentally appropriate full-day and half-day preschool classes for 4-year-old children in Denver (select sites serve 3-year-olds). Classes are offered in a safe and nurturing environment that promotes the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of young children while responding to the needs of families. Adult to student ratios are between 1:8 and 1:10, depending on specific classrooms. Activities are designed to develop children’s self-esteem, create positive feelings toward learning, and prepare children for success in later grades. The learning activities are designed to build early literacy and math skills and are responsive to the needs of each child. Teachers have ECE credentials or endorsements, teaching certificates, and bring years of early childhood experience to the classroom. As of January 2009, all ECE classrooms in DPS were rated by Qualistar, an independent third party rating agency. Most schools received ratings of three of four stars, a very strong rating, and several received four-star ratings. Denver Public Schools has recently greatly expanded its preschool offerings and now offers more full-day classes in every corner of the city. ECE applications are available at all DPS schools beginning in January of each year. ECE is provided in every DPS elementary school except Bromwell, Slavens, and Polaris at Ebert. Please check the DPS website for offerings: http://earlyeducation.dpsk12.org/. Additionally, links to each school’s individual website are available at http://schoolforms.dpsk12.org/schoollist/.

Program: Cowell (DPS)
Contact Name: Cheryl Caldwell
Email: Cheryl_Caldwell@dpsk12.org
Address: 4540 W. 10th Avenue, Denver, CO 80204
Phone: 303-571-0617
Quality: 3
Website: http://earlyeducation.dpsk12.org/
Description: Preschool is the first step towards a successful academic career and Denver Public Schools Early Childhood Education (ECE) program provides developmentally appropriate full-day and half-day preschool classes for 4-year-old children in Denver (select sites serve 3-year-olds). Classes are offered in a safe and nurturing environment that promotes the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of young children while responding to the needs of families. Adult to student ratios are between 1:8 and 1:10, depending on specific classrooms. Activities are designed to develop children’s self-esteem, create positive feelings toward learning, and prepare children for success in later grades. The learning activities are designed to build early literacy and math skills and are responsive to the needs of each child. Teachers have ECE credentials or endorsements, teaching certificates, and bring years of early childhood experience to the classroom. As of January 2009, all ECE classrooms in DPS were rated by Qualistar, an independent third party rating agency. Most schools received ratings of three of four stars, a very strong rating, and several received four-star ratings. Denver Public Schools has recently greatly expanded its preschool offerings and now offers more full-day classes in every corner of the city. ECE applications are available at all DPS schools beginning in January of each year. ECE is provided in every DPS elementary school except Bromwell, Slavens, and Polaris at Ebert. Please check the DPS website for offerings: http://earlyeducation.dpsk12.org/. Additionally, links to each school’s individual website are available at http://schoolforms.dpsk12.org/schoollist/.

Program: Crayon Academy
Contact Name: Jennifer Armstrong
Email: crayonacademy_kids@hotmail.com
Address: 10 Sheridan Blvd., Denver, CO 80226
Phone: 303-571-0876
Quality: 2
Website: No Web site
Description: Crayon Academy offers a flexible, full day program in which parents can drop off their children as early as 6:00 am. It is a play based program that emphasizes educating the whole child. Not only does it prepare children for school academically, but it prepares them socially and emotionally as well. Children at the academy participate in all sorts of activities. Music and movement, math and science, arts and crafts, and cooking are just some of the things they explore.

Program: Creative Beginnings Preschool and School Age
Contact Name: Patti Asdahl
Email: patti@creativebeginnings.org
Address: 2815 Clay St., Denver, CO 80211
Phone: 720-524-4209
Quality: 2
Website: http://www.creativebeginnings.org/Preschool.html
Description: Creative Beginnings provides a nurturing, caring environment that supports imagination and the love of learning! Your child will experience positive and encouraging support during these critical years in his or her development. Creative Beginnings respects that each child is an important individual and that each family has unique insight into their own child. Families are more diverse now than they were 30 years ago, and the staff at Creative Beginnings welcomes and respects that diversity. They feel that family involvement is important to the success of a child in the early learning environment, so they invite you to participate in your child's learning experience with them. Creative Beginnings educational programs are designed not just to teach, but to foster a love of learning. Each day, the staff works hard to offer many activities and fun experiences designed with the goal of preparing your child for the next level of learning. Children learn to work together within a group, even as they are treated as individuals. The center utilizes the Creative Curriculum, a program of study that rests on a firm foundation of research. It responds to new requirements for addressing academic content as well as the child’s needs for physical, social and emotional growth. Language learning experiences in Spanish and Sign Language are also provided. Because Creative Beginnings believes that a program’s success is largely due to the dedication of its teachers, every staff member at the center has completed an orientation program, an 8-week training course and has met all state licensing requirements. Continuing education for all employees is also highly encouraged. The preschool program at Creative Beginnings serves children ages 2 ½ through 5 in classrooms with a student-teacher ratio of 10:1. Creative Beginnings wants your children to be safe, healthy, happy individuals. As such, its classrooms are furnished with web cams so parents are able to observe their child’s happiness and well-being throughout the day. The center follows careful hygiene procedures for diapering, toileting, hand washing, food service, and management of illness. The children go outside daily, unless weather conditions dictate otherwise.

Program: Creative Minds Academy
Contact Name: Kia Smith or Clarence Halliburton
Email: creativemindsprep@yahoo.com
Address: 4870 Chambers Rd, Denver, CO 80239
Phone: 303-371-44