Child Care
ACC's Child Development Center is open with limited hours and enrollment due to health and safety requirements. Please call us at 303.797.5678 for more information.
Conveniently located on the ACC Littleton Campus, the Child Development Center (CDC) provides an affordable, safe and stimulating environment for children of ACC students, staff and faculty, as well as community members.
About the Child Development Center
The CDC is an NAEYC accredited preschool and child care center, licensed for 100 children. Children must be at least 18 months old and may be in or out of diapers. Children build cognitive, language, physical and social/emotional skills in a clean, healthy and nurturing atmosphere. We offer only full-day child care (no drop-in or partial days) for 2, 3 or 5 days per week.
Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies Gold
The CDC has areas and activities designated by age levels, creating an ideal environment for your child to build age-appropriate skills. The CDC uses research-based Creative Curriculum®, a comprehensive, customized approach that supports effective teaching and makes learning exciting and relevant for your child. Learning centers include dramatic play, blocks, science and math, art, library and listening center, writing center, games, puzzles and lacing, a sensory table and computers and other technology.
We use the Teaching Strategies Gold assessment tool. This allows us to partner with the Colorado public schools who use the same tool. Your children’s reports are shared with the schools at your request to give Kindergarten teachers the opportunity to individualize teaching, supporting strengths and offering strategies to overcome challenges.
CDC Details
How to Enroll
Due to COVID 9, we are currently not offering on-site tour of the Center.
Placement in the CDC is on a first-come, first-serve basis each semester. Currently registered families receive priority for the following semester. A continuous enrollment option is also available. We typically have a waitlist started a few months before each semester so early registration is recommended.
Procedure for Enrollment
- Schedule a tour of the Center by calling 303.797.5678
- On-site tour of the Center and Enrollment interview / orientation
- Identification and discussion of the child’s needs including a health plan and Individual Family Service Plan or Individual Education plan when appropriate
- Completion of in-take forms including verification Parent / Guardian Handbook has been read
- Payment of registration fee / child
- After child placement has been made in a classroom, a contract will be signed and registration fee is required to guarantee the spot
Inclement Weather Closures
The Center will be closed anytime Arapahoe Community College is closed due to severe weather or emergency. If the College decides to close, a notice will be made on our Announcements line (303.797.4222), on our website and on ACC Social Media platforms (Facebook, Twitter). We also notify local radio and TV stations.
The Facility
Located within the North Building, your child will be safe with secured access to both the building and classrooms. The newly renovated center will include a total of 5 classrooms serving children ages 18 months to Pre-K each with bathroom access, touchless children’s sinks, well equipped learning centers, and observation rooms for parent and student use. Children can enjoy the outdoors on one of two playgrounds, both with climbing equipment, tricycles, sand boxes, and access to garden/herb areas, grass and shady trees. If the weather is not conducive for outdoor play, children can stretch their muscles and engage in activities in the indoor gym/activity room. Our facility also includes a kitchen prep area, staff lounge and work area, administrative offices, the Early Childhood Education department, and two adult learning classrooms. Child Care drop-off parking spots are conveniently located in Lot B in front of our entrance on the East side of the building.
Staff
The Child Development Center teachers are highly qualified, caring individuals who enjoy children and are dedicated early childhood education professionals. In addition to employing teachers with the State of Colorado Early Childhood Teacher Certification, the Center also provides placement for ACC Early Childhood Education students and interns.
The classroom teachers meet weekly to plan, problem solve and communicate ideas and feelings. Routinely, the entire staff meets to discuss the program and activities and share ideas regarding children. These meetings are also used for training purposes.
As per licensing standards, all teachers are required to complete 15 hours of professional development per year. The Center is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the local Colorado affiliate which offers workshops and seminars that teachers are encouraged to attend.
Teachers have been trained in Universal Precautions, Pediatric CPR and First Aid, and Medication Administration. All staff has passed background checks.
Food Program
While under COVID guidance, parents provide a nut-free nutritional lunch for their children.
We refrigerate the lunches upon arrival. The center provides an afternoon nutritional snack.
Monthly menus are posted in the newsletter and entrance.
Lunch 11:30am
Afternoon snack 3:00pm
Preschool Program
Goal
The goal of Arapahoe Community College Child Development Center is to provide children with a nurturing environment in which they have the opportunity to develop their problem solving skills, learn to interact with their peers, and develop a strong educational base on which to build upon.
The Creative Curriculum® for Preschool
The Creative Curriculum for Preschool is an award-winning curriculum for preschool success. Using exploration and discovery as a way of learning, The Creative Curriculum for Preschool enables children to develop confidence, creativity, and lifelong critical thinking skills.
Child Care Stipend Information
Child Care Tuition stipends are funded by private foundations, fundraising profits, and other donations. The Childcare tuition stipend was established to subsidize childcare tuition expenses for low-income students at the Arapahoe Community College Child Development Center. Applications are available at the center and are due mid-July for the following academic year. Stipends are awarded for the Fall and Spring semesters and cover between 25-50% of tuition costs. In order to be considered, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Financial need (document thru FAFSA)
- Enrolled in at least 6 credit hours per semester, 3 credit hours in the summer.
- Possess a 2.5 cumulative GPA
- Completed application, copy of transcripts, copy of enrollment and essay
Only one stipend per family, (unless additional funds are available) recipients are responsible for any remaining child care tuition. Recipients are funded evenly for two semesters unless eligibility requirements are no longer met, your need lessens or funds become unavailable. Parent/guardian must sign a “Parent Agreement” in order to receive funding.
Additional Financial Information
Arapahoe Community College Child Development Center participates in the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (limited spots available) and the Colorado Preschool Program through partnerships with local school districts.
The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) provides financial assistance to eligible low-income families who need child care to support their efforts toward self-sufficiency. Eligible families may include those who are working, looking for employment, in training, enrolled in the Colorado Works program, or teen parents enrolled in high school. CCAP provides benefits for children from birth to age 12.
Hours
Monday - Friday
8:30am - 5:00pm
We are not giving tours at this time. Please call the Child Development Center with questions.
Childcare Fees
The CDC charges an annual non-refundable registration fee of $100. Review our Tuition Rates for more information.
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, heath, safety, nutrition, space, facilities, and staff training via our National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Accreditation.
