COLORADO SPRINGS SCHOOL DISTRICTS OFFER SCHOOL CHILD CARE FOR K–5 STUDENTS

Caring about care:

By O’Dell Isaac odell.isaac@gazette.com

Several Colorado Springs-area school districts are making access to child care easier and more affordable for busy working parents.

Lack of affordable child care has been a chronic issue for parents in the El Paso County area for years, district officials said. In recent years, a number of school districts conducted needs assessments, surveying parents and stakeholders about ways to help students succeed and make parents’ lives easier. According to the survey results, a need for safe, affordable child care ranked high on the list of parents’ concerns.

In response to this feedback, most area districts now offer free or reduced-cost child care for students in grades K-5. While some of the programs require payment, they generally cost less per month than most local facilities charge per week. Traditional child care facilities in Colorado Springs typically range from $160–$225 per week, according to the childcare website Care.com.

Colorado Springs school “It’s a huge financial savings for families,” said Angela Outlaw, Harrison School District 2’s districts offer school child program coordinator. “And it gives working parents peace of mind — one less thing to worry about.” care for K–5 students “I think it takes one of the biggest stressors off of parents,” said YMCA executive director Melanie Zuniga, who oversees the nonprofit’s district partnerships. “They don’t have to wonder ‘Where is my kid gonna go? Will they be safe and taken care of?’” Colorado Springs District 11, Cheyenne Mountain District 12, Manitou Springs District 14, Harrison District 2 and FountainFort Carson District 8 have established care partnerships with YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region. Widefield School District 3, which has offered before- and after-school care for nearly 20 years, works with Junior Academy Children’s Centers in Colorado Springs. In addition to providing care during the school year, BASE49, District 49’s program, offers a summer camp at “limited

SEE CHILD CARE • PAGE 13

CHILD CARE • FROM PAGE 12

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Established in 1955, St. Paul Catholic School has provided quality WhaT your chiLdren beLieve is jusT as imporTanT as WhaT They knoW. What your children believe is just as important education that allows students of all faiths to excel academically and grow spiritually, focusing on the whole child. We are a welcoming, safe community of faculty, parents and students offering: • The NEW option of FULL DAY Pre-School and Pre-K as what they know. • Pre-School – 3 & 4 year olds; Tuesday/Thursday; half day or full day • Pre-Kindergarten – 4 & 5 year olds; Monday/Wednesday/Friday; half day or full day WhaT your chiLdren • Kindergarten through 5th Grade Elementary School • 6th Grade through 8th Grade Middle School beLieve is jusT 1601 Mesa Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80906 (719) 632-1846 | www.stpaulpmcs.orgNOW ENROLLING FOR THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR. “The Way of The Lord is my forTress for Life.”Established in 1955, St. Paul Catholic School has provided quality education that allows students of all faiths to excel academically and grow spiritually, focusing on the whole child. We are a welcoming, safe community of faculty, parents and students offering: • The NEW option of FULL DAY Pre-School and Pre-K • Pre-School – 3 & 4 year olds; Tuesday/Thursday; half day or full day • Pre-Kindergarten – 4 & 5 year olds; Monday/Wednesday/Friday; half day or full day • Kindergarten through 5th Grade Elementary School • 6th Grade through 8th Grade Middle School as imporTanT as WhaT They knoW. Established in 1955, St. Paul Catholic School has provided quality education that allows students of all faiths to excel academically and grow spiritually, focusing on the whole child. We are a welcoming, safe community of faculty, parents and students offering: • Pre-School-3&4 year olds; Tuesday/Thursday; half day or full day • Pre-Kindergarten – 4 & 5 year olds; Monday/Wednesday/Friday; half day or full day • Kindergarten through 4th Grade Elementary School • 5th Grade through 8th Grade Middle School Established in 1955, St. Paul Catholic School has provided quality education that allows students of all faiths to excel academically and grow spiritually, focusing on the whole child. We are a welcoming, safe community of faculty, parents and students offering: • The NEW option of FULL DAY Pre-School and Pre-K WhaT your chiLdren beLieve is jusT as imporTanT as WhaT They knoW. What your children believe is just as important as what they know. 1601 Mesa Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80906 (719) 632-1846 | www.stpaulpmcs.orgNOW ENROLLING FOR THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR. “The Way of The Lord is my forTress for Life.” “I Can Do All Things Through Christ, Who Strengthens Me.” NOW ENROLLING FOR THE 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR. 1601 Mesa Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80906 (719) 632-1846 | www.stpaulpmcs.org • Pre-School – 3 & 4 year olds; Tuesday/Thursday; half day or full day • Pre-Kindergarten – 4 & 5 year olds; Monday/Wednesday/Friday; half day or full day • Kindergarten through 5th Grade Elementary School • 6th Grade through 8th Grade Middle School NOW ENROLLING FOR THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR. “The Way of The Lord is my forTress for Life.” 1601 Mesa Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80906 (719) 632-1846 | www.stpaulpmcs.org Established in 1955, St. Paul Catholic School has provided quality education that allows students of all faiths to excel academically and grow spiritually, focusing on the whole child. We are a welcoming, safe community of faculty, parents and students offering: • The NEW option of FULL DAY Pre-School and Pre-K • Pre-School – 3 & 4 year olds; Tuesday/Thursday; half day or full day • Pre-Kindergarten – 4 & 5 year olds; Monday/Wednesday/Friday; half day or full day • Kindergarten through 5th Grade Elementary School • 6th Grade through 8th Grade Middle School NOW ENROLLING FOR THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR. “The Way of The Lord is my forTress for Life.” WhaT your chiLdren beLieve is jusT as imporTanT as WhaT They knoW. Established in 1955, St. Paul Catholic School has provided quality education that allows students of all faiths to excel academically and grow spiritually, focusing on the whole child. We are a welcoming, safe community of faculty, parents and students offering: • Pre-School-3&4 year olds; Tuesday/Thursday; half day or full day • Pre-Kindergarten – 4 & 5 year olds; Monday/Wednesday/Friday; half day or full day • Kindergarten through 4th Grade Elementary School • 5th Grade through 8th Grade Middle School “I Can Do All Things Through Christ, Who Strengthens Me.” NOW ENROLLING FOR THE 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR. 1601 Mesa Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80906 (719) 632-1846 | www.stpaulpmcs.org Established in 1955, St. Paul Catholic School has provided quality education that allows students of all faiths to excel academically and grow spiritually, focusing on the whole child. We are a welcoming, safe community of faculty, parents and students offering: • The NEW option of FULL DAY Pre-School and Pre-K • Pre-School – 3 & 4 year olds; Tuesday/Thursday; half day or full day • Pre-Kindergarten – 4 & 5 year olds; Monday/Wednesday/Friday; half day or full day • Kindergarten through 5th Grade Elementary School • 6th Grade through 8th Grade Middle School NOW ENROLLING FOR THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR. WhaT your chiLdren beLieve is jusT as imporTanT as WhaT They knoW. WhaT your chiLdren beLieve is jusT as imporTanT as WhaT They knoW. Established in 1955, St. Paul Catholic School has provided quality education that allows students of all faiths to excel academically and grow spiritually, focusing on What your children believe is just as important as what they know. 1601 Mesa Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80906 (719) 632-1846 | www.stpaulpmcs.org Established in 1955, St. Paul Catholic School has provided quality education that allows students of all faiths to excel academically and grow spiritually, focusing on the whole child. We are a welcoming, safe community of faculty, parents and students offering: • The NEW option of FULL DAY Pre-School and Pre-K Pre-School – 3 & 4 year olds; Tuesday/Thursday; half day or full day Pre-Kindergarten – 4 & 5 year olds; Monday/Wednesday/Friday; Kindergarten through 5th Grade Elementary School 6th Grade through 8th Grade Middle School NOW ENROLLING FOR THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR. T your chiLdren ieve is jusT imporTanT haT They knoW. WhaT your chiLdren beLieve is jusT as imporTanT as WhaT They knoW. Established in 1955, St. Paul Catholic School has provided quality education that allows students of all faiths to excel academically and grow spiritually, focusing on What your children believe is just as important as what they know.

“The Way of The Lord is my forTress for Life.” 1601 Mesa Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80906 Established in 1955, St. Paul Catholic School has provided quality education that allows students of all faiths to excel academically and grow spiritually, focusing on the whole child. We are a welcoming, safe community of faculty, parents and students offering: • The NEW option of FULL DAY Pre-School and Pre-K • Pre-School – 3 & 4 year olds; Tuesday/Thursday; half day or full day • Pre-Kindergarten – 4 & 5 year olds; Monday/Wednesday/Friday; half day or full day • Kindergarten through 5th Grade Elementary School • 6th Grade through 8th Grade Middle School the whole child. We are a welcoming, safe community of faculty, parents and students offering: • Pre-School-3&4 year olds; Tuesday/Thursday; half day or full day • Pre-Kindergarten – 4 & 5 year olds; Monday/Wednesday/Friday; half day or full day • Kindergarten through 4th Grade Elementary School • 5th Grade through 8th Grade Middle School Way of The Lord is my forTress for Life.”Established in 1955, St. Paul Catholic School has provided quality education that allows students of all faiths to excel academically and grow spiritually, focusing on the whole child. We are a welcoming, safe community of faculty, parents and students offering: • The NEW option of FULL DAY Pre-School and Pre-K • Pre-School – 3 & 4 year olds; Tuesday/Thursday; half day or full day • Pre-Kindergarten – 4 & 5 year olds; Monday/Wednesday/Friday; half day or full day the whole child. We are a welcoming, safe community of faculty, parents and students offering: • Pre-School-3&4 year olds; Tuesday/Thursday; half day or full day • Pre-Kindergarten – 4 & 5 year olds; Monday/Wednesday/Friday; half day or full day • Kindergarten through 4th Grade Elementary School • Kindergarten through 5th Grade Elementary School • 5th Grade through 8th Grade Middle School NOW ENROLLING FOR THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR. NOW ENROLLING FOR THE 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR. (719) 632-1846 | www.stpaulpmcs.org • 6th Grade through 8th Grade Middle School “The Way of The Lord is my forTress for Life.” “I Can Do All Things Through Christ, Who Strengthens Me.” 1601 Mesa Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80906 NOW ENROLLING FOR THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR. NOW ENROLLING FOR THE 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR. (719) 632-1846 | www.stpaulpmcs.org “The Way of The Lord is my forTress for Life.” “I Can Do All Things Through Christ, Who Strengthens Me.”

Established in 1955, St. Paul Catholic School has provided quality WhaT your chiLdren beLieve is jusT as imporTanT as WhaT They knoW. What your children believe is just as important education that allows students of all faiths to excel academically and grow spiritually, focusing on the whole child. We are a welcoming, safe community of faculty, parents and students offering: • The NEW option of FULL DAY Pre-School and Pre-K as what they know. Pre-School – 3 & 4 year olds; Tuesday/Thursday; half day or full day Pre-Kindergarten – 4 & 5 year olds; Monday/Wednesday/Friday; half day or full day WhaT your chiLdren Kindergarten through 5th Grade Elementary School 6th Grade through 8th Grade Middle School beLieve is jusT Established in 1955, St. Paul Catholic School has provided quality education that allows students of all faiths to excel academically and grow spiritually, focusing on the whole child. We are a welcoming, safe community of faculty, parents and students offering: Pre-School – 1601 Mesa Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80906 (719) 632-1846 | www.stpaulpmcs.orgNOW ENROLLING FOR THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR. “The Way of The Lord is my forTress for Life.”Established in 1955, St. Paul Catholic School has provided quality education that allows students of all faiths to excel academically and grow spiritually, focusing on the whole child. We are a welcoming, safe community of faculty, parents and students offering: • The NEW option of FULL DAY Pre-School and Pre-K • Pre-School – 3 & 4 year olds; Tuesday/Thursday; half day or full day • Pre-Kindergarten – 4 & 5 year olds; Monday/Wednesday/Friday; half day or full day as imporTanT as WhaT They knoW. Established in 1955, St. Paul Catholic School has provided quality education that allows students of all faiths to excel academically and grow spiritually, focusing on the whole child. We are a welcoming, safe community of faculty, parents and students offering: • Pre-School-3&4 year olds; Tuesday/Thursday; half day or full day • Pre-Kindergarten – 4 & 5 year olds; Monday/Wednesday/Friday; half day or full day • Kindergarten through 4th Grade Elementary School Established in 1955, St. Paul Catholic School has provided quality education that allows students of all faiths to excel academically and grow spiritually, focusing on the whole child. We are a welcoming, safe dren knoW. What your children believe is just as important as what 3 & 4 year olds; Tuesday/Thursday; half day or full day Pre-Kindergarten – 4 & 5 year olds; Monday/Wednesday/Friday; half day or full day Kindergarten through 5th Grade Elementary School 6th Grade through 8th Grade Middle School 1601 Mesa Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80906 (719) 632-1846 | www.stpaulpmcs.org • Kindergarten through 5th Grade Elementary School • 6th Grade through 8th Grade Middle School NOW ENROLLING FOR THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR. “The Way of The Lord is my forTress for Life.” • 5th Grade through 8th Grade Middle School “I Can Do All Things Through Christ, Who Strengthens Me.” NOW ENROLLING FOR THE 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR. 1601 Mesa Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80906 (719) 632-1846 | www.stpaulpmcs.org • The NEW option of FULL DAY Pre-School and Pre-K Pre-School – 3 & 4 year olds; Tuesday/Thursday; half day or full day Pre-Kindergarten – 4 & 5 year olds; Monday/Wednesday/Friday; NOW ENROLLING FOR THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR. ord is my forTress for Life.” 1601 Mesa Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80906 (719) 632-1846 | www.stpaulpmcs.org Established in 1955, St. Paul Catholic School has provided quality education that allows students of all faiths to excel academically and grow spiritually, focusing on the whole child. We are a welcoming, safe community of faculty, parents and students offering: • The NEW option of FULL DAY Pre-School and Pre-K Pre-School – 3 & 4 year olds; Tuesday/Thursday; half day or full day Pre-Kindergarten – 4 & 5 year olds; Monday/Wednesday/Friday; Kindergarten through 5th Grade Elementary School 6th Grade through 8th Grade Middle School NOW ENROLLING FOR THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR. The Lord is my forTress for Life.” your chiLdren jusT anT hey knoW. Established in 1955, St. Paul Catholic School has provided quality education that allows students of all faiths to excel academically and grow spiritually, focusing on the whole child. We are a welcoming, safe community of faculty, parents and students • Pre-School-3&4 year olds; Tuesday/Thursday; half day or full day Pre-Kindergarten – 4 & 5 year olds; Monday/Wednesday/Friday; half day or full day Kindergarten through 4th Grade Elementary School 5th Grade through 8th Grade Middle School they know. “I Can Do All Things Through Christ, Who Strengthens Me.” NOW ENROLLING FOR THE 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR. Established in 1955, St. Paul Catholic School has provided quality education that allows students of all faiths to excel academically and grow spiritually, focusing on the whole child. We are a welcoming, safe community of faculty, parents and students offering: • The NEW option of FULL DAY Pre-School and Pre-K • Pre-School – 3 & 4 year olds; Tuesday/Thursday; half day or full day • Pre-Kindergarten – 4 & 5 year olds; Monday/Wednesday/Friday; half day or full day WhaT your chiLdren beLieve is jusT as imporTanT as WhaT They knoW. WhaT your chiLdren What your children believe is just as important as what they know. Established in 1955, St. Paul Catholic School has provided quality education that allows students of all faiths to excel academically and grow spiritually, focusing on the whole child. We are a welcoming, safe dren What your children believe is just as important as what they know. Established in 1955, St. Paul Catholic School has provided quality education that allows students of all faiths to excel academically and grow spiritually, focusing on the whole child. We are a welcoming, safe community of faculty, parents and students offering: Pre-School – 3 & 4 year olds; Tuesday/Thursday; half day or full day “Be strong in the Lord; put on the armor of God.” • Kindergarten through 5th Grade Elementary School • 6th Grade through 8th Grade Middle School beLieve is jusT Pre-Kindergarten – “To always be close to Jesus, that is my life plan.”1601 Mesa Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80906 (719) 632-1846 | www.stpaulpmcs.orgNOW ENROLLING FOR THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR. as imporTanT as WhaT They knoW. Established in 1955, St. Paul Catholic School has provided quality education that allows students of all faiths to excel academically and grow spiritually, focusing on the whole child. We are a welcoming, safe community of faculty, parents and students 1601 Mesa Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80906 (719) 632-1846 | www.stpaulpmcs.orgknoW. Established in 1955, St. Paul Catholic School has provided quality education that allows students of all faiths to excel academically and grow spiritually, focusing on 4 & 5 year olds; Monday/Wednesday/Friday; half day or full day

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locations,” according to spokesman David Nancarrow.

Parents who are currently between jobs can also use the program, officials said.

“It will allow them the flexibility to interview for jobs, with the knowledge that their children will be taken care of on a consistent basis,” said Outlaw.

Some programs require parents to prove they are either working or going to school when they register.

The programs provide a safe, supervised venue for kids, but they are not babysitting services. They are more of a fun extension of the regular school day, according to district 11 spokeswoman Devra Ashby.

“Students participating in these programs will participate in fun learning activities,” Ashby said in a news release. “Additionally, students will experience both on-site expert presentations and field trips to local learning extension opportunities.”

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Most programs remain open during teacher work days, parentteacher conferences, and early release days. Programming space is limited, so parents are advised not to wait until the last minute to enroll their students.

Thanks to the “universal preschool” bill Gov. Jared Polis signed into law in April, families will be allowed to enroll their 4-year-old children in preschool — free of charge — beginning in the fall of 2023. But Colorado Springs parents with K-5 students can take advantage of free or affordable before- and after-school care now.

“Our mission has been to serve the community in any way that we can,” Zuniga said. “This is our mission in action — to actually be able to offer child care to everyone without barriers.”

To register, or for more information, visit your district’s website or www.ppymca.org/ programs/youth/child-care/beforeafter-school.