Childcare

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

See Childcare Assistance Information section for grant information.

Tuition Costs for Students / Employees

Young Toddlers, 12 months to 24 months:

• 2 Days per Week (Tuesday, Thursday) - $675 / month
• 3 Days per Week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) - $1015 / month
• 4 Days per Week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) - $1350 / month
• 5 Days per Week (Monday-Friday) - $1685 / month

Older Toddlers, 24 months to 36 months:

• 2 Days per Week (Tuesday, Thursday) - $648 / month
• 3 Days per Week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) - $980 / month
• 4 Days per Week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) - $1300 / month
• 5 Days per Week (Monday-Friday) - $1620 / month

Preschool, 3 years to 5 years:

• 2 Days per Week (Tuesday, Thursday) - $575 / month
• 3 Days per Week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) - $830 / month
• 4 Days per Week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) - $1125 / month
• 5 Days per Week (Monday-Friday) - $1405 / month

UPK Pre-K, 3 years to 6 years (kindergarten bound)

Additional drop-in day rate (*Available for students enrolled in a monthly program - contingent on class availability):

• Daily rate: $86.00
• 2 Extra Days: $172.00
• 3 Extra Days: $258.00
• 4 Extra Days: $344.00
• Weekly Rate for Spring Break or Summer Camp: $430.00

March

• March 2 - 5, 2026 - Dr. Suess Birthday Celebration
• March 6, 2026 - Parent Teacher Conferences
• March 16 - 20, 2026 - Only UPK Students - Spring Break (Daily Rates Available for UPK)

April 

• April 6 - 10, 2026 - Week of the Young Child
• April 16 & 17, 2026 - Professional Development REMCC Conference

May

• May 4 - 8, 2026 - Teacher Appreciation Week
• May 21, 2026 - Final day for students at Puma Cubs Early Learning Center - End of Year Celebration

ACC's Puma Cubs Early Learning Center supports families accessing high-quality childcare. 80 % of our current families receive financial assistance. Financial assistance can be provided to those who are eligible through the Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS), Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP), or the Buell Foundation Grant. If families meet the eligibility requirements, a portion of the total childcare cost will be covered. 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.

Child Care Access Means Parents In School (CCAMPIS) Program Application

Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP)

The Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) helps families that are homeless, working, searching for work or in school find low-income child care assistance. Families that are enrolled in the Colorado Works Program can also use CCCAP services. You can find more information about CCCAP by following the link. 

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.

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. 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 2025-2026 school year, this is “How to apply for UPK Colorado”

The application for Universal Preschool is available using the application portal for families. If you have a 4-year-old who will go to kindergarten in the 2025-2026 school year and would like to join our learning community and receive 15 hours of free preschool. 

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. 

Q: Why is the Puma Cubs Learning Center closing?

A: After careful consideration and comprehensive financial, market and operational analysis, College leadership determined that continued operation of the PCELC is no longer sustainable. Over the past 11 fiscal years, expenses have exceeded revenue by a cumulative total of more than $1.754 million. This is an average annual loss of over $159,500. Additionally, the necessary upkeep of the North Building to maintain licensure compliance has become cost prohibitive. The timing was chosen to align with the end of the academic year and before the April licensure renewal deadline.

Q: Other than costs, what did you consider before deciding to close?

A: We structured the evaluation with 3 potential options: 

1. Maintain the organizational structure as is with PCELC being located within the ECE / EDU academic program
2. Separate the organizational structure and rehouse the PCELC in another area of the college
3. Consider the viability of the Center and whether it should remain open or be closed.

Q: What will happen to our ECE / EDU programs?

A: Our ECE / EDU academic programs will continue at ACC. While there was an academic quality advantage of the ECE program being attached to a lab school, the overhead of managing PCELC was taking away from the time and attention needed to grow and build the ECE and EDU academic programs. These programs were struggling to maintain viability to meet student and industry standards. Very few students conducted their practicum experience at the PCELC. Most preferred to conduct those experiences in locations where they were already employed. ACC can easily accommodate students at other early learning centers in the community. 

Q: When exactly is the last day of operation?

A: Thursday, May 21, 2026, is the last day of the PCELC school year and will be the final day for children. Friday, May 29, 2026, is the final day of operation for PCELC. This date supports the PCELC academic calendar and requirements of the April licensure renewal process.

Q: Will the Puma Cubs Early Learning Center continue normal operations until May 21?

A: Yes. PCELC will maintain all regular programming, staffing, and services through the final day of the school year on May 21, 2026.

Q: How much notice was given to Puma Cubs families and staff?

A: Families and staff received approximately 11 weeks' notice (March 11, 2026), to provide time to research options, visit centers, and secure alternative childcare arrangements.

Q: How many employees, students and community members are affected?

A: 9 PCELC full-time employees, 11 ACC student enrolled families, 12 ACC employee enrolled families, and 25 community enrolled families are directly affected by this closure.

Q: Can you help families find a new childcare center?

A: Yes. We are providing comprehensive support including:

• A detailed referral list of quality licensed childcare centers in the area with contact information, availability, and tuition rates.
• Outreach to area centers to identify openings.

Q: Will you provide references or documentation for my child?

A: Yes. We will provide:

• Educational records and developmental assessments
• Health and immunization records
• Attendance records
• A summary letter documenting the child's time at PCELC
• Any documentation a new provider requires

Q: Will staff help prepare my child for the transition?

A: Yes. Our teachers will:

• Talk with children about change and transitions in age-appropriate ways
• Read books about starting new schools
• Create memory books or projects to take with them
• Celebrate their time at PCELC
• Help children say goodbye in healthy ways

Q: Will there be any events to celebrate our time at PCELC?

A: Yes. There will be opportunities to celebrate with our PCELC staff, share memories, and thank our community partners. 

Q: What support is being provided to Puma Cubs Center employees?

A: All full-time employees who are employed by PCEL when the Center fully closes on May 29, will be eligible for a post-employment compensation package. ACC will follow COWINS rules for classified employees. All employees will be eligible to apply for other open positions at the college for which they are qualified.

Q: How will we receive updates about the closure?

A: PCELC staff and families will receive regular updates via email or in person as part of the closure timeline. The ACC Website will be updated for the public, and ACC College Employees will receive periodic updates through the This Week at ACC communication.

Q: Who should I contact with questions, concerns or feedback?

A: Contact Information

• For PCELC Employees – angela [dot] johnson [at] arapahoe [dot] edu (Angela Johnson)
• For Families – cheryl [dot] calhoun [at] arapahoe [dot] edu (Cheryl Calhoun)
• For Funders – courtney [dot] loehfelm [at] arapahoe [dot] edu (Courtney Loehfelm)

Q: What will happen to the PCELC building/space?

A: ACC will carefully re-evaluate how best to utilize the North Building space to provide forward-looking pathways that meet the needs of learners, employers, and the community. Updates on future plans will be shared as they develop.

Q: Could PCELC reopen in the future?

A: This closure is permanent. The decision was made after careful analysis of long-term financial sustainability.

Q: How can I help PCELC staff and families?

A: You can help by:

• Sharing information about childcare job openings with accaskhr [at] arapahoe [dot] edu (ACC HR)
• Sharing information about quality childcare centers with availability
• Being supportive and compassionate during this difficult time