|
Newsletter cover for January 2025 featuring the Colorado Department of Early Childhood, displaying a group of joyful adults and children indoors.
In This Issue:
As part of our commitment to accessibility, you may notice expanded captions in our newsletter to ensure a more inclusive experience for all readers.
 A child in a pink floral dress reads a book on a sofa, with colorful books in the background. Text on a purple overlay reads, "Colorado Universal Preschool Updates."
Colorado Universal Preschool Updates
Colorado Universal Preschool Enrollment Now Open for 2025-26 School Year!
Enrollment is now open for Colorado’s Universal Preschool (UPK) Program for the 2025-26 school year! Families can apply for up to 15 hours of free, high-quality preschool for children in the year before kindergarten, with additional hours available for qualifying families.
Since its launch in 2023, Universal Preschool has served more than 85,000 children, saving Colorado families an average of $6,100 each year and providing a strong foundation for early childhood education. Families can explore participating providers and submit applications through UPK.Colorado.Gov.
Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to prepare your child for success while saving on childcare costs. Learn more and apply today!
Learn more and read the full announcement here.
Read the new report, Colorado Universal Preschool: Emergent and Early Literacy Alignment, 2024 Recommendations, created in partnership between the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) and Colorado Department of Education (CDE) and through funding from the state’s Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5) Planning Grant.
 Children selecting books from a library shelf. Text on teal overlay reads, "CDEC Policy & Legislation."
CDEC Policy & Legislation
RECENTLY ADOPTED RULES
Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP): The Executive Director adopted emergency rules to implement Colorado House Bill 24-1223, and the new requirements for the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), which became effective on January 1, 2025. (Colorado Secretary of State (SOS) Tracking No. 2024-00635)
Child Care Centers, Family Child Care Homes (FCCH), Children’s Resident Camps, School-Aged Child Care (SACC); and Neighborhood Youth Organizations (NYO): The Executive Director adopted amendments to the transportation rules on an emergency basis to implement Colorado House Bill 24-1055, which became effective on January 1, 2025, consistent with the effective date of the legislation (CO SOS Tracking No. 2024-00580). The permanent version of these rules were also adopted, and will presumably become effective on February 14, 2025 (CO SOS Tracking No. 2024-00575).
Children’s Resident Camps: The Executive Director permanently adopted amendments to the Children’s Resident Camp rules to implement Colorado Senate Bill 24-071; and revisions resulting from a comprehensive rule review conducted pursuant to section 24-4-103.3, C.R.S. These rules will presumably become effective on February 14, 2025 (CO SOS Tracking No. 2024-00575).
Special Activities: The Executive Director permanently adopted amendments to the Special Activities rules in result of a comprehensive rule review conducted pursuant to section 24-4-103.3, C.R.S. These rules will presumably become effective on February 14, 2025 (CO SOS Tracking No. 2024-00575).
Colorado Universal Preschool Program (UPK): The Executive Director permanently adopted amendments to the Colorado Universal Preschool rules to establish the 2024 Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) as the standard for determining poverty and low-income status of families applying for the program during the 2025-26 school year. Additional revisions introduced separate income eligibility charts for the current (2024-25) and upcoming (2025-26) school years, to clearly distinguish the applicable FPG used to assess eligibility for additional preschool hours. These rules will presumably become effective on February 14, 2025 (CO SOS Tracking No. 2024-00574).
JANUARY RULE-RELATED MEETINGS/HEARINGS
1. Rules Advisory Council (RAC) Meeting (ZOOM Link)
-
Date: Thursday, January 9, 2025
-
Time: 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
-
Topic(s): Proposed permanent rules for the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) to implement Colorado House Bill 24-1223 and new requirements for the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF).
2. Public Rulemaking Hearing (ZOOM Link)
-
Date: Thursday, January 23, 2025
-
Time: 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
-
Permanent Rulemaking:
- Permanent adoption of the proposed Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) rules, to implement Colorado House Bill 24-1223 and new requirements for the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF).
HOW TO ENGAGE IN THE RULEMAKING PROCESS
Attend a Meeting/Hearing: We encourage you to carefully review the proposed rules, and Register to Testify!
Submit Written Feedback: Please submit written comments regarding the proposed rules or rulemaking process to CDEC_Rulemaking@state.co.us.
HOW TO STAY INFORMEDSign up to receive Rulemaking Notifications and review the CDEC Rule Tracker to monitor and track the progress of the Department’s rulemaking proceedings.
 Women and children sitting on the floor in a brightly lit room playing with toys. Text on green overlay reads, "Community & Family Support."
Community & Family Support
To promote ongoing learning and development, we highly recommend the course CCCAP Provider Basics, which is available on the Colorado Shines Professional Development Information System (PDIS) in Spanish and English!
What’s in it for you?
- This course is intended for child care providers, teachers and professionals who work with or who would like to work with CCCAP. This course is also helpful for professionals who support CCCAP and partner with families.
- This one-hour, self-paced course will answer your questions about being a CCCAP provider and your responsibilities, and help you get started.
- The CCCAP Provider Basics course counts towards Colorado Shines Level 2 and ongoing professional development hours for Licensing, Universal Preschool, and the Early Childhood Professional Credential (ECPC).
The statewide CCCAP program provides low-income child care assistance to qualified families and child care programs. Since this course is on the PDIS, early childhood professionals can take it to support their professional development at any time!
Programa de asistencia para el cuidado infantil de Colorado (CCCAP)
Curso en línea sobre el Sistema de Información de Desarrollo Profesional Colorado Shines (PDIS)
Para promover el aprendizaje y el desarrollo continuo, recomendamos encarecidamente el curso Conceptos básicos para proveedores del Programa de asistencia de cuidado infantil de Colorado (CCCAP), que está disponible en el PDIS en español e inglés.
¿Qué gana usted con esto?
- Este curso está destinado a proveedores de cuidado infantil, maestros y profesionales que trabajan o desean trabajar con CCCAP. Este curso también es útil para profesionales que apoyan el CCCAP y colaboran con familias.
- Este curso de una hora a su propio ritmo, responderá sus preguntas sobre cómo ser un proveedor de CCCAP y sus responsabilidades, y lo ayudará a comenzar.
- El curso Conceptos básicos para proveedores del Programa de asistencia de cuidado infantil de Colorado (CCCAP) cuenta para el Nivel 2 de Colorado Shines y para las horas de desarrollo profesional continuo para Licencias, el Programa Universal de Educación Preescolar y el Credencial profesional de educación infantil temprana (ECPC).
- El programa estatal del CCCAP ofrece asistencia para el cuidado infantil a familias y programas de cuidado infantil de bajos ingresos que cumplan con los requisitos. Dado que este curso está en el PDIS, los profesionales de la primera infancia pueden tomarlo en cualquier momento para apoyar su desarrollo profesional.
CDEC's Family Voice Council is now accepting interest forms!
Do you or someone you know have a passion for programs and services that support young children and their families? Share your thoughts and help make services better for your community by joining CDEC's Family Voice Council!
The CDEC Family Voice Council is a group of parents and guardians of young children birth through eight from across Colorado. The purpose of the Council is to provide input in the design and delivery of early childhood programs and services that meet the needs of children and families in Colorado. Council members come together virtually every month to learn, provide input, and improve services for children and families. Compensation is available for members.
If you or someone you know would be interested in serving on the Family Voice Council please have them complete our online form (available in English or Spanish) or download and share our flyer (in English and Spanish).
Please reach out to amanda.culbertson@state.co.us with any questions. Thank you!
Free Monthly Book Membership for Children Birth to Age 5
 Reading starts at birth, and having a home library offers benefits that extend well beyond just reading. Research demonstrates that reading at home cultivates a love of books, prepares children for kindergarten, and enhances social and emotional intelligence.
The Imagination Library Colorado supports families by providing them with books at no cost every month. This initiative boosts childhood literacy rates, encourages a passion for reading, and promotes a culture of reading among families throughout Colorado.
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library: loved by families, validated by research.
Check out more Imagination Library Colorado Reading Tips below.
 Colorful infographic with reading tips for parents from the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, organized by age group.
 A smiling young person in a wheelchair with a therapist behind them, both smiling, in a bright room. Text on purple overlay reads, "Early Childhood Workforce."
Early Childhood Workforce
Investing in Child Care Strengthens Families, Businesses, and the Economy
Access to quality child care is vital for supporting working families, strengthening businesses, and boosting the economy. That’s why we’re excited to highlight the Employer Child Care Navigator, an innovative tool created by EPIC (Executives Partnering to Invest in Children) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
This free, user-friendly website offers resources and tools to help businesses identify and implement child care solutions, addressing one of the most pressing challenges facing working parents today.
We’re proud to champion EPIC’s work in supporting Colorado families and businesses. Explore the Navigator today: Employer Child Care Navigator.
 Promotional graphic for Employer Child Care Navigator highlighting child care solutions for companies.
 Children making holiday cookies with cutters on a flour-dusted table. Text on blue overlay reads, "Inside CDEC: Celebrating the Holidays at CDEC"
Inside CDEC
Celebrating the Holidays at CDEC!
 A collage of festive scenes with children, Christmas trees, and traditional log figures.
|
