The Best Daycare Centers in Gilcrest, CO
Discover the best licensed daycare centers in Gilcrest. Quality childcare with qualified staff and safe environments.
Top Daycare Centers in Gilcrest
The Learning Experience - Windsor
The Learning Experience
The Learning Experience in Windsor is a highly-rated early education center serving the broader Gilcrest area with comprehensive childcare programs. They feature the proprietary L.E.A.P. (Learning Experience Academic Program) curriculum that combines academic learning with social and emotional development. The center maintains excellent teacher-to-child ratios with qualified early childhood educators, secure entry systems, and modern facilities including age-appropriate classrooms and outdoor play areas. Their programs include phonics, foreign language exposure, manners and etiquette, and fitness activities. The center is known for its strong communication with parents through daily reports and regular updates.
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Primrose School of Greeley West
Primrose Schools
Primrose School of Greeley West offers balanced learning approach that combines purposeful play with nurturing guidance from trained teachers. Their Balanced Learning curriculum focuses on character development, literacy, math, science, and social studies while maintaining small class sizes and low student-teacher ratios. The facility features secure entry systems, age-appropriate learning materials, outdoor playgrounds, and nutritionally balanced meals. They emphasize hands-on learning experiences and maintain strong safety protocols including background-checked staff and comprehensive emergency procedures. Parents consistently praise the school's communication and their children's developmental progress.
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La Petite Academy of Greeley
La Petite Academy
La Petite Academy in Greeley provides comprehensive early childhood education programs serving families in the Gilcrest area. Their research-based curriculum focuses on school readiness through activities that develop literacy, math, science, and social skills. The center features dedicated infant rooms with individualized care plans, structured preschool programs with learning centers, and secure facilities with coded entry systems. Teachers are trained in early childhood development and maintain ongoing professional development. The academy offers flexible scheduling options and emphasizes parent partnerships through regular communication and family events. Their safety record and experienced staff make them a trusted choice for local families.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about daycare and childcare services in Gilcrest, CO
What are the licensing requirements for daycare providers in Gilcrest, Colorado, and how can I verify a facility is properly licensed?
In Gilcrest, all childcare facilities must be licensed by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC), which enforces the Colorado Child Care Licensing Act. This includes family child care homes (caring for up to 12 children) and child care centers. Licensing ensures providers meet standards for health, safety, staff-to-child ratios, background checks, and staff training. To verify a provider's license status, you can use the official "Colorado Shines" quality rating and improvement system website or the CDEC's online licensing lookup tool. It's highly recommended to choose a provider participating in Colorado Shines, as they undergo a more rigorous quality assessment. You can also contact the local CDEC office serving Weld County for additional verification.
Given Gilcrest's smaller size, how can I find available childcare openings, and are waitlists common?
Due to Gilcrest's rural nature and limited number of dedicated childcare facilities, finding immediate openings can be challenging. Waitlists, especially for infant care and highly-rated providers, are very common and can be several months long. Your best strategy is to start your search early—ideally during pregnancy or several months before you need care. Utilize the "Colorado Shines" search tool to find licensed providers in and around Gilcrest (including nearby towns like Platteville, La Salle, and Greeley). Networking with other local parents through community Facebook groups (e.g., "Gilcrest Community Page") or asking for referrals at places like the Gilcrest Baptist Church or the town hall can also uncover openings in registered family child care homes that may not be widely advertised online.
What is the average cost of full-time daycare for an infant or toddler in Gilcrest, and are there any local financial assistance programs?
In Gilcrest and the surrounding Weld County area, costs are generally lower than in metropolitan Denver but have been rising. For a licensed center, you might expect to pay between $1,000 to $1,400 per month for full-time infant care. Licensed family child care homes can range from $800 to $1,200 per month. Financial assistance is available through the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP), administered by the Weld County Department of Human Services. Eligibility is based on income, family size, and need (such as employment or education). Additionally, the Colorado Universal Preschool (UPK) program provides free, part-time preschool for 4-year-olds (and some 3-year-olds) at participating providers, which can significantly reduce costs for that age group.
Are there any unique childcare options in Gilcrest that cater to families in agricultural or shift-work professions common in the area?
Yes, recognizing the community's ties to agriculture and non-traditional work hours, some local providers offer flexible solutions. While standard 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM hours are most common, some licensed family child care homes may offer earlier drop-offs, later pick-ups, or occasional overnight care by private arrangement. There are currently no 24-hour childcare centers in Gilcrest itself. Your best bet is to directly inquire with providers about their flexibility. Additionally, for school-age children, the Gilcrest Elementary School may offer before and after-school programs that align with a school schedule. For true shift work, forming a small, trusted nanny-share with another local family with complementary schedules can be a practical, though privately arranged, solution.
What should I look for during an in-person tour of a daycare in Gilcrest, considering the local environment?
When touring a facility in Gilcrest, pay close attention to factors specific to the semi-rural setting. **Safety & Security:** Check outdoor play areas for secure fencing, especially given the potential for nearby agricultural traffic or irrigation ditches. Inquire about their emergency plans for severe weather common to the Colorado plains. **Cleanliness & Space:** Look for clean, well-organized indoor spaces that are free of hazards. Given the area's dust and agricultural activity, ask about their cleaning protocols for toys and surfaces. **Staff Interaction:** Observe how caregivers engage with children; low staff turnover is a good sign of a positive work environment. **Policies:** Ask about their sick policy, meal provisions (do they accommodate common allergies?), and their plan for days when local schools are closed (like for harvest breaks). Finally, trust your instincts about the overall warmth and professionalism of the environment.