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Kids First Childcare Resources provides access to childcare information. The resource specialist can provide each parent with information about the different types of childcare, assistance with locating childcare, access to licensing information and childcare program license histories, resources like working your way through the Childcare Maze, information about financial aid, and much more.

We administer programs and allocate funding that directly benefits early childhood programs, families with young children and employers in Pitkin County.

Our friendly staff answers all kinds of questions about child care and can give you specific information about local early childhood programs. We provide childcare financial aid to qualifying families, and support early childhood programs in Pitkin County with annual grants and technical assistance.

A young child's experiences and relationships determine whether the brain is well wired for the future. As a parent, your role is the most important in your child's life. Here are some ideas to stimulate healthy brain development for your child. Early childhood education can be another important partner in your child's development. Research shows us that children benefit from high quality early childhood programs. Their social and emotional competence is increased and they are more likely to succeed later in school.

We know how to provide quality. However, most early childhood programs operate on very limited budgets. Our goal at Kids First is to promote the availability of quality, affordable child care. The facts remain that quality is not as great as it could be for children, parents struggle to pay what they are charged, and teachers are not adequately compensated for the important work they do.

Here is what you can do to make early childhood programs a better place for learning and working.

Do you have questions about your child's development? Kids First and Early Childhood Connections can answer your questions and put you in contact with resources and valuable information in your community. Call Kids First - 920-5363 or Early Childhood Connections - 1-888-777-4041

Kids First Board
Kids First has an advisory board of 10 members. The current advisory board members include:

Kids First Board Meetings are held the first Friday of each month. We will be meeting at Community Bank of Aspen in the conference room at 9:00am.

2007 Meeting dates
January 4, 2008	August 1, 2008
February 1, 2008	September 5, 2008
March 7, 2008	October 3, 2008
April 4, 2008	November 7, 2008
May 2, 2008	December 5, 2008
June 6, 2008

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Kids First is proud to be partners with The Aspen Community Foundation. The Aspen Community Foundation partnered with Kids First in 2003 to provide resource and referral to communities from Aspen to Parachute. The partnership included funding and support from The Aspen Community Foundation for 5 years. An office in Glenwood Springs has been established at 401 23rd Street, Suite 207, Glenwood Springs, Co. The first years of this partnership have been very positive and have provided needed and new services to consumers and providers in the valley.

Qualistar Early Learning
(CAEYC) Colorado Association for the Education of Young Children
Children's Defense Fund
Child Care Aware
Early Childhood Connections