Eagle County has some lofty goals for building capacity at early childhood facilities
The hope is to increase capacity by 15% this year
Chris Dillmann/Vail Daily archive
Eagle County has some ambitious goals this year for early childhood programs.
Funded primarily by proceeds from the county’s 2% lodging tax, passed by voters in 2022, the goals include increasing capacity in licensed child care programs by 15% this year.
That tax, levied on lodging properties in unincorporated Eagle County and the town of Gypsum, generated about $3 million in 2023, with 90% of that money dedicated to housing and early childhood programs. The remaining 10% is dedicated to marketing.
The first use of that money was a $500 per month stipend for child care providers. Since then, funds have gone to build capacity. Programs can apply for grants of up to $10,000 per site twice a year to address health and safety risks. Other programs can apply for grants of up to $50,000 to increase their capacity for infants and toddlers.
In a Monday report to the Eagle County Board of Commissioners, Samantha Markovitz, who is the county’s early childhood initiatives manager, said 2024 saw some good progress in building the county’s early childhood programs.
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A site at Basalt Elementary School added 50 slots in September, and the new Minturn Family Enrichment Center opened in January with 28 spaces for infants and toddlers.
The Minturn facility, fueled with a $150,000 infusion of county money replaces the former Pooh Corner facility. Commissioner Matt Scherr, a Minturn resident, said he’s heard from residents that the new facility, which is now fully staffed, is a “game changer” for parents in town. Those parents no longer have to seek care for their children in out-of-town facilities, he said.
The Mountain Tots preschool in Eagle is expected to be finished this year, with an additional 30 spots, which could include highly-sought infant and toddler spots.
By the end of this year or early 2026, a Gypsum Early Learning Center, a partnership with the Eagle County School District, is expected to open with five infant rooms, seven toddler rooms and 12 preschool rooms.
Markovitz said the total number of children served could exceed 200 by the end of this year.
Megan Burch, the county’s human services director, spoke via Zoom. She noted that county officials are working with the Vail Valley Foundation on an Avon facility. She also said that the Gypsum facility will soon present to the commissioners seeking continuing funding.
In addition to those centers, Markovitz said the funds also are being used to bolster licensed in-home facilities. For instance, one in-home facility was able to add two spots, which is “a lot,” Burch noted.
While facility expansion is good, Commissioner Jeanne McQueeney asked what the county can do to support parents.
Commissioner Tom Boyd asked where the funds available can be used most effectively, adding it’s easier to raise private funds for partnerships “if you have a good story.”
In addition to facilities, Markovitz noted there are “plenty of other things” to examine in the county’s early childhood strategies and priorities.
But, McQueeney noted, she isn’t sure if the county should get involved in projects with continuing operational deficits.
