Why Investing in Early Childhood Matters Now More Than Ever
It’s been a busy time at Denver’s Early Childhood Council. Just a few weeks ago, we wrapped up the Rocky Mountain Early Childhood Conference, where we convened early learning professionals, advocates, and policymakers to engage in learning, connection, and to explore critical issues in the field—including workforce development, child care provider sustainability, and policy solutions. Since then, our team has been hard at work, mobilizing resources to address the challenges facing early childhood education. From supporting providers impacted by the CCAP freeze to expanding workforce and family resources, we are taking bold steps to ensure stability in our early learning system.
With this urgent work at the forefront, we have made the decision to pause this year’s Spring Social to focus our full capacity on direct-action initiatives that provide meaningful support to early childhood educators, providers, and families. Instead of gathering in person, we are dedicating all our resources at this time to ensuring stability and essential support in early learning spaces.
What We’re Doing
Early childhood education is facing significant challenges, and Denver’s Early Childhood Council is stepping up in meaningful ways:
- Providing Emergency Support to Providers During the CCAP Freeze – The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) is currently frozen in Denver, leaving some child care providers struggling to stay open and eligible families unable to access funds for care. We are launching an emergency fundraising campaign to help child care providers who serve high percentages of low-income families and rely on CCAP funding to operate.
- Engaging Policymakers for Real Change – At our recent Rocky Mountain Early Childhood Conference, we hosted a Policy Pathways discussion, bringing together child care providers, legislators, and leaders to discuss bipartisan solutions for the future of early childhood education. We will continue to lead these conversations, advocating for real policy solutions shaped by the voices of early learning professionals and families.
- Supporting Immigrant Families and Early Learning Professionals – Providing guidance, resources, and advocacy for families and early learning professionals navigating immigration-related challenges.
- Lowering Costs for Family Child Care Homes – Connecting home-based child care providers with lower-cost business insurance plans to help them remain financially stable.
- Expanding Support for Informal Care Providers – Growing our services to better support Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) caregivers, a critical and often overlooked part of the child care system.
- Advancing Workforce Development – Hosting initiatives like our recent Career and Resource Fair to recruit, train, and retain the early childhood workforce.
- Continuing Our Core Programs – From quality improvement and business supports to classroom coaching and professional development, we remain committed to strengthening early childhood education across Denver.
- Honoring Educators This Summer – We know how hard educators work every day to support young children and families. That’s why we’re planning a special Educator Appreciation Day this summer to celebrate their dedication. Stay tuned for details—we’d love for you to join us in recognizing their impact!
Make a Lasting Difference – From the Comfort of Home
While we won’t be gathering for a Spring Social this year, you can still take action to support early childhood educators, providers, and families.
If you’d like to turn your support into an ongoing impact, consider making a recurring donation. Every dollar helps provide essential services to the educators, families, and child care providers who make early childhood education possible. Add a one-time or monthly donation to your ticket here.
With your support, we can provide critical resources that strengthen early childhood education. Thank you for standing with us in this critical moment.
All the best,
Shelby Mattingly, CEO, Denver’s Early Childhood Council
PS – Don’t forget that donations to the Council are eligible for the Colorado Child Care Contribution Credit – Taxpayers that make a qualifying monetary contribution to promote child care in Colorado may claim an income tax credit of 50% of the total qualifying contribution.