The voice of Denver’s early childhood community
Denver’s Early Childhood Council is dedicated to facilitating a strong and seamless early childhood system to meet the needs of the youngest Denver children and their families.
Working in broad partnership across state and county agencies, along with nonprofit partners and local business leaders, Denver’s Early Childhood Council advances an accessible and effective early childhood system with children and families at the center.
By “connecting the dots” between various agencies and implementers, our work makes local early childhood services easier for families to navigate and access.
Denver’s Early Childhood Council is the leading source of training, support, and information for early childhood professionals and licensed child care programs in the City and County of Denver.
Child care is essential work
We are committed to advocating for the essential – and too often undervalued – work of early childhood educators. The professionals that care for and educate our youngest children play a vital role in supporting our economy, parents, and most importantly, the healthy development of children.
Media inquiries
If you are a member of the media and are looking for perspectives on child care issues in Denver, we welcome your inquiries. Please contact us at communications@denverearlychildhood.org.
Child Care in Denver
These stats offer a snapshot of the child care landscape in Denver County, Colorado.
Children Under Age 5
Living in Denver County.
Licensed Child Care Programs
Providing care for children 5 and under.
Growing Demand
Featured Media Coverage
CBS4 Denver: Freeze on CCCAP impacts families across Colorado
April 18, 2025
There are worries about the continued CCCAP enrollment freeze and how this will impact families and early learning centers. Shelby Mattingly, CEO of Denver’s Early Childhood Council and Ethan Hemming, CEO of Warren Village speak to the need for solutions.
Mile High Magazine Podcast: Denver's Early Childhood Council
April 16, 2025
Mile High Magazine Podcast interviews Shelby Mattingly, CEO, of Denver’s Early Childhood Council about our mission and our work!
The Denver Post: How to choose a child care program in Colorado
April 10, 2025
When Denver-area residents first search for child care, it can be daunting. Maureen Reid, Chief Program Officer at Denver’s Early Childhood Council, offers resources and advice for parents as they embark in the process.
The Denver Post: Denver facing a child care shortfall
November 24, 2024
Denver is facing a child care shortfall with nearly 12,000 more spots for kids needed. Denver’s Early Childhood Council is trying to close the gap by focusing on the workforce.
Denver7: Real Talk Episode 6: Childcare in Colorado
May 8, 2023
On this episode of Real Talk with CPR News and Denver7, hear from parents who are scrambling to find childcare after learning their school will close within three months, what others are doing to help child care providers earn adequate pay, and how childcare in the home isn’t just about taking care of kids, but also about equity.
CPR News: Colorado's Childcare Crisis
May 8, 2023
On this episode of Real Talk with Denver7 and CPR News, hear from parents who are scrambling to find childcare after learning their school will close within three months, what others are doing to help child care providers earn adequate pay, and how childcare in the home isn’t just about taking care of kids, but also about equity.
Denver7News: How child care has changed since the start of the pandemic
Since the beginning of the pandemic, child care has faced drastic changes, including workforce issues and increased challenging behavior. As the child care sector continues its push for recovery, Denver’s Early Childhood Council maintains that more public investment is needed.
Denverite: Multi-year waitlists, tuition as expensive as a second mortgage: Denver is in a child care crisis
March 25, 2022
Parents, early childhood educators, advocates, and child care center directors agree: working families are struggling to find and pay for quality child care. A silver lining of the pandemic is that recognition of the need for public investment is growing.
9News: The problem of finding child care goes deeper than the pandemic's impact
January 27, 2022
Finding child care is hard right now; so is finding and keeping staff in child care centers. The pandemic has drawn attention to inequity issues that were already there.
CBS4 Denver: Why Having Your Toddler Wear A Face Mask Could Make A Big Difference
August 17, 2021
Medical experts and education leaders agree that masking for young children is required to keep schools and child care centers operating as the Delta surge of the coronavirus pandemic continues.
NPR: How Child Care Programs Can Safely Reopen
July 5, 2020
National Public Radio reporter Scott Detrow spoke to Lucy Mullen Davis about the guidelines centers — and parents — are considering before reopening amid the pandemic.
Vox: Fighting for the Survival of Child Care Businesses
May 19, 2020
Even as they weigh the risks of reopening, Vox reports that the Covid-19 pandemic threatens to put many child care centers out of business.
More News From Denver's Early Childhood Council
September 29, 2025 – Denver’s Early Childhood Council announces new CEO, Melissa Janiszewski. Read more here.
May 7, 2024 – More than 4,700 children in statewide Universal Preschool settings to receive free oral health screenings through funding from Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation. Denver’s Early Childhood Council will work in partnership with grantee Denver Preschool Program to implement oral health screenings, referrals, and resources in child care centers. Read more here.
April 22, 2021 – Denver’s Early Childhood Council, in partnership with the Early Childhood Partnership of Adams County and Joint Initiatives/Alliance for Kids has been awarded an Early Childhood Workforce Innovation Grant to develop an “Essential Career Navigation Roadmap for Early Childhood Educators.” Read more here
SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERS
Stay up to date on timely resources and other news for child care providers in Denver.
