LCO – Early Childhood Council of SLV https://www.eccslv.org Wed, 17 Dec 2025 00:27:47 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9 https://www.eccslv.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/cropped-icons8-favicon-48-32x32.png LCO – Early Childhood Council of SLV https://www.eccslv.org 32 32 Universal Preschool Quality improvement Implementation Coaching https://www.eccslv.org/for-providers/universal-preschool-quality-improvement-implementation-coaching/ Tue, 29 Oct 2024 14:23:42 +0000 https://www.eccslv.org/?page_id=774

Committed to Family choice, through a mixed – delivery system

families are empowered to choose the “just-right” preschool setting for their child at a variety of program types. Whether it’s a licensed community-based, school-based, or home-based preschool provider, families can research, select, and be matched to the program that works best for them. Quality
Standards are required for participating programs. The ECC SLV offers support and coaching for Universal
Preschool Program service providers. Universal Preschool Quality Implementation Support includes

  • Navigation of the Universal Preschool Program Quality requirements
  • Environment coaching-classroom set up or arrangement
  • Reviewing Quality Standards with providers
  • Coaching/support-Quality rating preparedness
  • Support for quality improvement
  • Support in trainings
  • Support in set up of a new program
  • On-going follow up and communication with UPK providers

]]> Universal Preschool https://www.eccslv.org/for-families/universal-preschool/ Tue, 22 Oct 2024 18:26:08 +0000 https://www.eccslv.org/?page_id=475

Colorado Universal Preschool serves as a tuition credit for qualifying children and their families in the year prior to Kindergarten

What is UPK ?

Universal Pre-K (UPK) is a new program Colorado has introduced to help families financially with preschool and child care needs. Below you will find information regarding the program and eligibility requirements.
Families can Apply at any time during the year
UPK funding can be used in addition to other funding streams such as CCAP
families are encouraged to talk with their providers about schedules, specific funding questions, and provider rates
matches are occurring on a consistent basis and families will be notified directly through their preferred contact method about enrollment instructions
Families with a 3 year old being serviced by an IEP should submit a UPK application
Non- IEP 3 year old families should contact their local school district directly for preschool support

1 Year prior to kindergarten WITH QUALIFYING FACTORS:
income factor plus 1 additional can qualify your family for up to 30 hours of care per week.		All children in the YEAR BEFORE KINDERGARTEN ARE ELIGIBLE
No qualifying factors are required to be eligible for 15 hours per week 		2 years prior to kindergarten WITH QUALIFYING FACTORS
Income factor plus 1 additional factor can qualify you for up to 10 hours of care per week.
QUALIFYING FACTORS INCLUDE:
LOW INCOME
HOUSING STATUS
DUAL LANGUAGE
IEP
FOSTER AND KINSHIP CARE
Cost Savings
This program provides a tuition credit, reducing your cost of child care for families		 Quality Education
as quality standards are being developed UPK Providers will use an evidenced based curriculum, and work with quality navigators to implement preschool education for children
School Readiness
Preschool is designed to help students be academically and emotionally prepared for future learning whether it be in a classroom, or home based setting. 
https://upk.colorado.gov/

]]> Rita Archuleta https://www.eccslv.org/staff/rita-archuleta/ Tue, 22 Oct 2024 17:08:42 +0000 https://www.eccslv.org/?post_type=staff&p=444 -Supporting, mentoring and coaching Participating UPK providers
-Quality improvement
-Quality rating preparedness

Why did I choose to work in the Early Childhood field?

I have chosen to work in the Early Childhood field when I was on the parent committee and volunteered in my 2 boys Head Start classes. I really enjoyed watching what the teachers were teaching and how my boys learned. It all made sense! I then was offered a position and from there it all took off for me as I completed my AA and then continued to receive my BA while I was working full time and raising children. The quality care they received and learning experience they got made them who they are today. I also attended Head Start as a child myself so that has had a positive impact on me. After 27 years in the Early Childhood field, I have seen great things happen and I strive to continue to provide support for quality care and positive experience to families.

“It’s only after you’ve stepped outside your comfort zone that you begin to change, grow, and transform.” ― Roy T. Bennett

]]> -Supporting, mentoring and coaching Participating UPK providers
-Quality improvement
-Quality rating preparedness

Why did I choose to work in the Early Childhood field?

I have chosen to work in the Early Childhood field when I was on the parent committee and volunteered in my 2 boys Head Start classes. I really enjoyed watching what the teachers were teaching and how my boys learned. It all made sense! I then was offered a position and from there it all took off for me as I completed my AA and then continued to receive my BA while I was working full time and raising children. The quality care they received and learning experience they got made them who they are today. I also attended Head Start as a child myself so that has had a positive impact on me. After 27 years in the Early Childhood field, I have seen great things happen and I strive to continue to provide support for quality care and positive experience to families.

“It’s only after you’ve stepped outside your comfort zone that you begin to change, grow, and transform.” ― Roy T. Bennett

]]> Lindsey Witz https://www.eccslv.org/staff/lindsey-witz/ Fri, 18 Oct 2024 14:48:39 +0000 https://www.eccslv.org/?post_type=staff&p=385 -Provide support to local families with a wide variety of referral needs and help them connect to resources.
-Support implementation of the new Universal Pre-K program across the San Luis Valley
-Partner with local providers and families to continue to strengthen the early childhood network of the San Luis Valley
-Help families understand and successfully navigate the transition to Pre-K or kindergarten

Why did I choose to work in the Early Childhood field?

As a mom of four beautiful daughters, we as a family, started our IEP journey with no understanding of what that path held for us. The more I l realized what an amazing resource the early childhood programs are to families, I quickly fell in love with helping other families understand that early childhood intervention is an amazing support system. It can help your child, and family, reach goals that sometime seem impossible, help set our sweet babies up for the best chance at success in school, at home, and their lives in general, and to reassure families that as scary of a journey it may seem, they have support and are not alone. My experience with my own family, and the countless other families I have been luckily enough to help, reassures me daily that starting our babies young is the best place to build them up for success.

“If something stands between you and your success, move it. Never be denied.” –Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson

]]> -Provide support to local families with a wide variety of referral needs and help them connect to resources.
-Support implementation of the new Universal Pre-K program across the San Luis Valley
-Partner with local providers and families to continue to strengthen the early childhood network of the San Luis Valley
-Help families understand and successfully navigate the transition to Pre-K or kindergarten

Why did I choose to work in the Early Childhood field?

As a mom of four beautiful daughters, we as a family, started our IEP journey with no understanding of what that path held for us. The more I l realized what an amazing resource the early childhood programs are to families, I quickly fell in love with helping other families understand that early childhood intervention is an amazing support system. It can help your child, and family, reach goals that sometime seem impossible, help set our sweet babies up for the best chance at success in school, at home, and their lives in general, and to reassure families that as scary of a journey it may seem, they have support and are not alone. My experience with my own family, and the countless other families I have been luckily enough to help, reassures me daily that starting our babies young is the best place to build them up for success.

“If something stands between you and your success, move it. Never be denied.” –Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson

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