Child Care
Welcome to the ACC Child Development Center!
Are you taking classes, teaching, working on campus, or living in a nearby community? Do you have children who would excel in an early learning environment?
We are here for you and your family! We welcome and encourage you to visit our little learners and experience the engaging environments created to explore, question, and learn in a play-based environment.
Arapahoe Community College Child Development Center respects parents as the primary and most important providers of care and nurturing for their children. We value the partnership between families and teachers in children’s care and education. We look forward to establishing this relationship and providing children with a strong foundation for learning.
We believe children learn and develop skills and confidence through active engagement. Our teachers intentionally prepare the learning environment with stimulating and challenging materials, activities, and experiences designed to support all developmental areas including social-emotional, physical, language, cognitive, literacy, mathematics, science and technology, social studies, and the arts. Our teachers facilitate and guide learning through individual as well as small and large group time.
The center utilizes the research-backed Creative Curriculum® as a framework to design a learning environment that is comprehensive and relevant to your child. We use the Teaching Strategies Gold assessment tool to document and support your child’s development and inform teaching practices.
Arapahoe Community College Child Development Center maintains a National Association of the Young Child (NAEYC) accreditation and a Colorado Shines level 4 rating. This accreditation ensures that your child will receive an early childhood education within a safe and nurturing environment that values diversity and supports the child’s individual needs. We are located on the Littleton Campus and currently serve children 18 months to 6 years (pre-kindergarten) (Summer 2023) and 12 months to 6 years (pre-kindergarten) in Fall 2023 and Spring 2024.
“Childhood is not a race to see how quickly a child can read, write, and count. It is a small window of time to learn and develop at the pace that is right for each individual child.” ~Magda Gerber
About the Child Development Center
Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 Enrollment Options
The Child Development Center enrolls children starting at 12 months until they are 6 years and eligible to go to kindergarten.
Our classroom configuration will be one young toddler classroom, an older toddler classroom, a young preschool, and one older pre-k classroom. The pre-k classroom consists of children eligible for Universal Pre-K (UPK), every child in the year before kindergarten is eligible (4 years old before October 1).
Enrollment for the pre-k classroom takes place through the Universal Pre-K portal. Indicate in your application that ACC CDC is your first choice. Children are matched with our center by the state and our local coordinating agency.
Hours
- Monday - Friday: 7:30am - 5:30pm
CDC Options
- 5 full days: Monday - Friday
- 4 full days: Monday - Thursday
- 3 full days: Monday - Wednesday - Friday
- 2 full days: Tuesday - Thursday
Universal Pre-K (UPK) Options
- Hours: 8:30am - 1:30pm
- 3 half days: Monday - Wednesday - Friday
- Hours: 8:30am - 4:30pm
- 2 full days: Tuesday - Thursday
Extended Day
Need full day childcare, yet would you like 15 hours of free preschool through UPK? Extended day is your option!
Your child can attend from 7:30-5:30 Monday - Friday, Monday - Wednesday - Friday, or Tuesday - Thursday and they will receive the UPK 15 free hours, and you will pay for the extended day. This is a wonderful opportunity to provide your child with excellent learning opportunities the year before kindergarten.
Enrollment for the pre-k classroom takes place through the Universal Pre-K portal. Indicate in your application that ACC CDC is your first choice. Children are matched with our center by the state and our local coordinating agency.
The CDC accepts enrollment applications from ACC students, faculty, staff, as well as members of the surrounding community.
Universal Pre-K (UPK) Colorado Provides Families 15 hours of Free Preschool
Universal Preschool (UPK) Colorado ensures that every child, in the year before they are eligible for kindergarten, is eligible for half-day (15 hours), state-funded, voluntary preschool beginning in the 2023-24 school year. UPK Colorado allows families to choose the right setting for their child.
Many children will also qualify for Colorado’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP), and other funding sources that can be stacked on top of UPK Colorado hours to meet the needs of families.
If you have a 4-year old who will go to kindergarten in the ’24-’25 school year, this is “How to apply for UPK Colorado”
The application for Universal Preschool opened in January 2023 via this user-friendly application portal for families. If you have a 4-year-old who will go to kindergarten in the ’24-’25 school year and would like to join our learning community and receive 15 hours of free preschool, go to the application, then select Arapahoe Community College Child Development Center as your first choice. When the state completes its matching, we will contact you to schedule a visit and formalize your application.
Universal Pre-K (UPK) Options at ACC
- Hours: 8:30am - 1:30pm
- 3 half days (5 hours per day): Monday - Wednesday - Friday
- Hours: 8:30am - 4:30pm
- 2 full days (8 hours per day): Tuesday - Thursday
Extended Day
Need full-day childcare, yet would you like 15 hours of free preschool through UPK? Extended day is your option!
Your child can attend from 7:30am - 5:30pm Monday - Friday, Monday - Wednesday - Friday, or Tuesday - Thursday and they will receive the UPK 15 free hours, and you will pay for the extended day. This is a wonderful opportunity to provide your child with excellent learning opportunities the year before kindergarten.
Enrollment for the pre-k classroom takes place through the Universal Pre-K portal. Indicate in your application that ACC CDC is your first choice. Children are matched with our center by the state and our local coordinating agency.
How to Enroll
Procedure for Enrollment
- Call the Child Development Center to see if there is availability in the classroom appropriate for your child: 303.797.5678
- Complete the Intent to Register form.
- The Child Development Center staff will contact you when the Intent to Register form is received. The staff will discuss with you possible options for your family and child(ren).
- If there is availability, we will schedule an appointment for you and your child to tour the center.
- If there is availability, complete the intake forms. Identify and discuss your child’s needs including allergies and a health plan, if needed.
- If there is no availability, we can email you the intake forms. When completed you will be placed on our wait list.
- Payment of the registration fee.
- After placement has been made in a classroom, a contract will be signed.
- Registration fee is required to guarantee a spot in the program.
The Facility
The CDC is located on the Littleton Campus within the North Building. Secured access to both the building and classrooms will help ensure your child’s safety. Each classroom has bathroom access, touchless children’s sinks, well-equipped learning centers, and observation rooms for parent and student use.
Children can enjoy the outdoors in one of 2 playgrounds designed and designated for the age of the child. Both playgrounds provide climbing equipment, tricycles / wheeled toys, sandboxes, garden/herb areas, and grass and shade trees. In addition to the playgrounds, children have access to a secure natural area right outside their classroom doors. This space is ideal for art and sensory exploration, picnics, outdoor story time, and relaxing in nature. If the weather is not conducive to outdoor play, children can stretch their muscles and engage in gross motor activities in the indoor activity room.
Childcare drop-off parking spots are conveniently located in Lot B in front of our entrance on the East side of the building.
The Staff
The Child Development Center teachers are highly qualified, caring individuals who enjoy children and are dedicated early childhood education professionals.
We believe in lifelong learning and staying current on early childhood research. Therefore, all teachers at the CDC exceed the licensing requirement of 15 hours of professional development per year.
Teachers are trained in Standard Precautions, Pediatric CPR and First Aid, and Medication Administration. All staff are required to complete and pass background checks.
Classroom teaching teams meet weekly to plan, prep for upcoming activities, and share ideas.
Meals and Snacks
We are a Nut Free environment.
Morning snack between 9:00 - 9:30am and an afternoon snack between 2:45 - 3:00pm will be provided by the center.
Families will provide a nutritious lunch (which meets 1/3 of the daily nutritional requirements) and milk for their child every day. This includes 1 protein, 1 fruit, 1 vegetable, 1 grain, and a dairy product. Make sure to label the lunch container with your child's name. It is also recommended to include a labeled, self-contained ice pack. It is best to use labeled storage-type containers for all food items. Remember we do not warm food. Finger foods are best. Please send labeled utensils and food that your child can feed themselves.
We recommend you try to limit sugar and offer children a chance to sample new foods. Family favorites or ethnic foods are especially fun! Fresh fruits and vegetables are encouraged.
Child Care Costs
Fall Tuition Costs
Young Toddlers, 12 months to 24 months:
- 2 Days per Week (Tuesday, Thursday) - $750 / month
- 3 Days per Week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) - $1125 / month
- 4 Days per Week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) - $1495 / month
- 5 Days per Week (Monday-Friday) - $1870 / month
Older Toddlers, 24 months to 36 months:
- 2 Days per Week (Tuesday, Thursday) - $720 / month
- 3 Days per Week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) - $1085 / month
- 4 Days per Week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) - $1445 / month
- 5 Days per Week (Monday-Friday) - $1805 / month
Preschool, 3 years to 5 years:
- 2 Days per Week (Tuesday, Thursday) - $640/month
- 3 Days per Week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) - $920/ month
- 4 Days per Week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) - $1250/month
- 5 Days per Week (Monday-Friday) - $1560 /month
UPK Pre-K, 3 years to 6 years (kindergarten bound)
Enrichment Options:
- 2 Days per Week (Tuesday, Thursday) - $125/month
- 3 Days per Week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) - $460/month
- 5 Days per Week (Monday-Friday) - $1100 /month
Call the Child Development Center for the student and ACC employee rate.
See Childcare Assistance Information section for grant information.
Child Care Assistance
To support families in accessing high-quality childcare, financial assistance can be provided to those who are eligible through the Buell Grant or CCAMPIS Stipend. If families meet the eligibility requirements, a portion of the total childcare cost will be paid. To be considered, applicants must meet the following requirements:
CCAMPIS Stipend
- Enrolled in at least 6 credit hours during any academic semester.
- Have completed FAFSA and are Pell-eligible.
- Possess at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA and has completed 67% or more of cumulative attempted credit hours.
- Submit a one-page detailed essay addressing childcare needs and how a stipend would benefit the parents’ ability to achieve an education.
Buell Grant
- Determined low-income using the Colorado Self Sufficiency Standard or experiencing extenuating circumstances.
- Submit a one-page detailed essay addressing childcare needs and how a stipend would benefit the parents’ ability to access high-quality childcare.
Childcare tuition stipends are funded for one full semester at a time unless eligibility requirements are no longer met.
Hours
Monday - Friday
7:30am - 4:30pm
Childcare Fees
The CDC charges an annual non-refundable registration fee of $100. Registration fee is due with enrollment forms.
PAY TUITION / REGISTRATION FEE
Licensing & Accreditation
The Arapahoe Community College Child Development Center is licensed by the Colorado Department of Human Services. The Center is also inspected by the Department of Health and Littleton Fire Department to ensure a safe, clean and healthy setting for your child. The Center exceeds the minimum standards these agencies require for staffing ratios, health, safety, nutrition, space, facilities, and staff training via our National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Accreditation.
Contact
Child Development Center
little [dot] learners [at] arapahoe [dot] edu (little[dot]learners[at]arapahoe[dot]edu)
303.797.5678
