Grand County's Childcare Options: Full-Time, Drop-in, and Seasonal Classes/Programs
If you have a young family and live in Grand County full-time, have a second-home, or vacation here, you'll likely be on the hunt for child care at some point. Whether you're looking for full-time care at an established daycare or preschool, needing a drop-in situation while you take a few turns at the ski area, hoping to get in on summer day camps, or ready to take advantage of local youth programming, we're confident you can find an option that suits your family's needs!
Full-Time Daycare + Preschool
As far as full or part-time infant, toddler, and preschool options, our county has established childcare facilities from Winter Park to Granby. All of the centers offer preschool, some offer toddler care, and a few provide infant care. Due to the high demand, we recommend getting on a waiting list if full-time care is on your radar. All of the care options in the county capitalize on mountain-living, with plenty of time spent playing outside and field trips that take advantage of life in the high country. Highly-rated, developmentally appropriate programming complemented with activities like hiking and skiing, our childcare centers help mountain kids live their best lives in healthy, nurturing environments!
Grand Kids Learning Center
Grand Kids offers care for children eight weeks through six years of age. They operate Monday-Thursday, year-round out of two separate facilities in Fraser. Their five classrooms are divided between the two locations, with the infant to age 3 building in Wapiti Meadows near Safeway and the three to six year old building across the street from Fraser Valley Elementary in downtown Fraser.
Early Education Center
Winter Park Resort's Early Education Center gives priority for its 33 infant to kindergaten-aged spots each day to resort employees. The EEC started as a parent run and funded childcare facility back in the late 70s when a group of employees asked the resort if they could use some space for their kids to be cared for while they worked. Now, the center has evolved into an official early childhood facility - Winter Park Resort runs the infant through preschool program at the Balcony House, right at the base of the resort near the Gondola. And you know they incorporate some ski lessons into their winter activity schedule!
Church of the Eternal Hills Christian Preschool
Centrally located in Tabernash equidistant from Fraser and Granby, Church of the Eternal Hills Christian Preschool has been a long-standing, quality childcare option that serves kids aged 12-35 months, accepting students once they are independently walking. Operating Monday-Thursday, the nondenominational faith-based program operates out of the downstairs of the Church of the Eternal Hills building.
Little Sprouts Learning Center
Little Sprouts serves children ages 8 weeks through 6 years of age, across four separate classrooms that serve the infant, toddler, young preschool, and preschool rooms Monday-Thursday. Located right off Highway 40 adjacent to the Grand Elk neighborhood, they're the only center that offers infant care on the north end of East Grand County. *NOTE: As of January 2024, Little Sprouts is now run by Grand Kids Learning Center - same location, just under the long-time Grand County childcare leadership and direction of Grand Kids!
Granby Play Days
Right in the heart of Granby across from the post office, Granby Play Days is one of the county's two Colorado Shines Level 5 rated centers (along with Granby Elementary Preschool). Serving children aged two and a half through five and offering full or half day options Monday-Thursday, they provide an invaluable service to residents of the town of Granby, serving families in Hot Sulphur Springs and Grand Lake as well.
Fraser + Granby Elementary Preschools
Both of East Grand School District's elementary schools (Fraser Valley Elementary and Granby Elementary) offer preschool for 3-5 year old students. They operate on the school district's calendar and serve students Monday-Thursday during the school season.
Drop-in Care
Nanny JoJo (Jodie Brack) is a long-time local who offers drop-in care at her Fraser home for children 6 months - 3 years old. Your littles play and learn with an early childhood professional while you (and maybe your older kids!) head out to explore the mountains.
Babysitting Services
Winter Park Babysitting Company matches you with a babysitter that comes to your home or vacation rental to play with and care for your children while you get out to enjoy all Grand County has to offer. They also offer care for larger groups of kids for big events (like weddings). Their service has been a much-welcomed addition to the childcare options here in the Fraser Valley!
Classes/Programs
Fraser Valley Recreation Department + Granby Recreation District
Our local recreation districts offer a wide range of care and activity options for youth. During the summer, you can sign up your kids up for day camp or week-long specialty camps (like rock climbing, mountain biking, and theater). They also offer school-aged classes and programs like dance, aerial arts, ice skating, cross-country skiing, gymnastics, and art as well as sports like tennis, golf, swimming, and gymnastics for preschool-aged kiddos. Check out the Fraser Valley Recreation District's programs as well as Granby Recreation Departments activities.
Winter Park Resort Ski + Snowboard Lessons
During the ski season, Winter Park Resort offers kids skiing and snowboarding group lessons for ages 4-14. Lunch is included in all full day kid lessons, but rentals and lift access are not. This is a great option if you're looking to get your kids on the mountain but want to take a few turns on your own!
YMCA Summer Day Camp
If you'll be in the Winter Park area over the summer, Snow Mountain Ranch (YMCA of the Rockies) hosts day camps for June through August for kids ages 5-13. Campers get to take advantage of the sprawling property with activities like archery, hiking, nature exploration, summer tubing, sports, games, and crafts. The week-long sessions are a favorite for local kids!
Questions? We Have Answers.
Experiencing the Winter Park area with kids is truly magical. For kids that have the privilege of calling this place home, the opportunities they have to play outside and the beauty of growing up in such a safe, welcoming, and adventurous community are about as good as it gets. And the local childcare options are a reflection of that mountain lifestyle we all love. Reach out today if you'd like to get more details about childcare options in Grand County or simply need a recommendation for a babysitter - we'd love to connect with you!
Posted by Angela McDonough (Sandstrom) on
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