The Center Early Childhood Programs

The Center, a comprehensive family center, was developed through the collaboration of community agencies by the Lake County School District in 1988.  The Center operates many programs for children age 3 to 13. 

Head Start is an integral part of the many Early Childhood Programs that operate within The Center. The Center is licensed for 132 children ages 3 to 5 years of age. The building is open 11 hours a day throughout the year, providing preschool services to more than 70 percent of the county’s four year old population.  The program allows parents to commute long distances to work knowing that their children are well cared for.  The Early Childhood programs and funding sources which are used in the operation of the building are Head Start, Colorado Preschool Program, Special Education, Colorado Child Care Assistance program (CCCAP), program tuition and private foundation monies.

The Center is able to offer affordable childcare rates through its system of braided funding.   Each program collaborates with the others, allowing for the best possible services for all children and families.  Preschool children are integrated into 8 classrooms with 35% of our children English Language Learners.  Head Start has a higher ELL enrollment of 47%.  Each classroom is staffed with two teachers. Bi-lingual aides and support staff are assigned to various classrooms as needed.