Childcare and Preschool Information

Age Limits & Programs: 

Under 3 years old: HeadStart & CCAP 

3 years old: CCAP & UPK, part-time or full-time 

4 years old: UPK part-time or full-time 

Child Care Programs: 

Head Start - https://cdec.colorado.gov/head-start/early-head-start 

UPK – Universal Preschool https://upk.colorado.gov/ 

DPP – Denver Preschool Program, for Denver County residents only, 

• can add credits to UPK to make full time, can be in preschool year round 

• can be part time or full time 

CCAP – Child Care Assistance Program https://cdec.colorado.gov/colorado-child-care-assistance-program-for-families 

• Two types of CCAP: Low Income CCAP or TANF CCAP 

• If a TANF client then they can easily apply to add CCAP for their children 

• Low Income CCAP takes the longest around 2-4 months to apply because requires many proofs. 

• CCAP will redetermine after 2-3 months whether family still qualifies for CCAP 

• Activities required: One parent has to be working, looking for work or going to class (such as English Class) 

• Then after application, county will call client direct for an interview. 

Information needed in Applications: 

• Contact information: Name, Phone Number, Address, Language 

• Documents: Social Security, I-94, Passport (child’s & parent), Age & Date of Birth 

• Proof of employment or school 

• Spring Institute will also require documents for applications and safe to share with them! 

Important Information about Child Care: 

• Depends where you live, what county (similar to Public Benefits) and then where the school or center near you has space available. 

• Most childcare centers are Private and most are not full day 

• Waitlists at schools or centers can take a long time and better to look at other schools or centers. 

• There is no transportation provided, that is responsibility of Parent to take and pick up children.  

• For 3 year old children, most centers and schools will require the child to be bathroom trained in order to attend. 

• If children do not attend childcare once enrolled then they will be dismissed from the child care center and might have to pay school.