Final Universal Preschool
Recommendations - Approved!
The Early Childhood Leadership Commission is excited to share
the final Universal Preschool Recommendations. The recommendations were unanimously approved by the ECLC at its January 11, 2022 meeting, and the report has been submitted to the Governor and Colorado General Assembly.
Whether you attended a public meeting, joined us on our statewide listening tour, or submitted a comment online, we thank you. Your feedback has been critical to arriving at this important moment - and will continue to guide us toward achieving our vision.
Access the APPROVED Universal Preschool recommendations HERE.
the executive summary is available in english, Spanish and arabic.
The approval of this report signals a critical milestone for our state. The universal preschool program, which will be overseen by the new Department of Early Childhood, will give all Colorado families the opportunity to access 10 hours of high-quality early care and education per week, per child, in the year prior to the child entering kindergarten. It is set to launch in 2023.
Moving forward, the Governor’s early childhood transition team will lead the stakeholder engagement and implementation of the approved recommendations for the universal preschool program, along with the Transition Plan for the new Department of Early Childhood. All information about this process, including opportunities for continued stakeholder engagement, will be made available on the Department of Early Childhood’s interim website.
The ECLC will continue to inform the community about opportunities to stay involved. We will continue holding monthly Town Halls and hope that you will join us. We look forward to continuing to play a role, alongside all of you, to ensure all children, their families, and the early childhood professionals who support them are valued, healthy, and thriving.
Final Department of Early Childhood Transition Plan - Approved!
The Early Childhood Leadership Commission (ECLC) is proud to share with you the final Department of Early Childhood Transition Plan. The Plan was unanimously approved by the ECLC at its November 10, 2021 public meeting following months of planning and engagement with stakeholders across the state. The Plan has been presented to the Governor and Colorado General Assembly.
We could not have arrived at this moment without your help! Whether you attended a meeting, joined us on our statewide listening tour, or shared your thoughts through the online feedback form, your voice was heard, and we thank you for contributing to this meaningful process.
Access the APPROVED Department of Early Childhood Transition Plan HERE.
The executive summary is available in English, Spanish and Arabic.
The approval of the Transition Plan marks a critical milestone in Colorado’s commitment to its children and families. The Plan not only makes key recommendations to stand up the new, unified state department, but it lays the foundation for developing and implementing the voter-approved, voluntary, universal preschool program by 2023.
We look forward to working alongside you all to continue this momentum and to ensure all children, their families, and the early childhood professionals who support them are valued, healthy, and thriving.
Department of Early Childhood Transition and Universal Preschool Recommendations Planning Process
Building on its longstanding commitment to serving children and families, Colorado is creating a new unified state Department of Early Childhood, effective July 1, 2022.
The ECLC was tasked with approving a plan to transition to the new agency and guiding the state’s new universal preschool program. To ensure recommendations are representative of the unique and diverse voices across Colorado, the ECLC engaged a wide range of stakeholders including parents, families, members of the early childhood workforce, providers, school districts, human services leaders, and others.
View this brief summary of the transition planning process and explore the transition webpages for more information. We also invite you to watch the kick-off of the transition planning process (including a message from Governor Jared Polis!).
Your suggestions, input and questions are invaluable to this process, and we invite you to use this Feedback Form to share your innovative ideas. Throughout the stakeholder engagement process, all responses were made public, shared with the Transition Advisory Group, Subgroups and the ECLC. Responses will now be shared with the Governor’s Office Transition Team moving forward.
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early childhood transition planning updates!
Final Department of Early childhood Transition Plan
The Early Childhood Leadership Commission is proud to share with you the final Department of Early Childhood Transition Plan. The Plan was unanimously approved by the ECLC at its November 10, 2021 meeting following months of planning and engagement with stakeholders across the state. The Plan has been presented to the Colorado General Assembly.
Final universal preschool recommendations
The Early Childhood Leadership Commission is excited to share
the final Universal Preschool Recommendations. The recommendations were unanimously approved by the ECLC at its January 11, 2022 meeting, and the report has been submitted to the Governor and Colorado General Assembly.
Monthly Town Halls
The ECLC will continue to host Monthly Town Halls to provide early childhood stakeholders with updates on the transition planning process. Access Town Hall registration, previous recordings and slides here.
Please subscribe to the Our Voice newsletter to continue to receive transition planning information as well as other announcements, resources and opportunities from the early childhood community.
Recent Stakeholder Engagement Events
Hear updates about the transition planning process from our most recent Monthly Town Hall. The meeting recordings and slides are available now.
Now Available - Final Universal Preschool Recommendations unanimously approved by the Early Childhood Leadership Commission on January 11, 2022. Read the press release!
Listen to an overview of the Completed Universal Preschool Recommendations awaiting final ECLC approval and next steps at our January Monthly Town Hall.
Review Draft Universal Preschool Recommendations Public Feedback Form Responses.
Listen to an overview of the Draft Universal Preschool Recommendations and next steps from our December 7 Monthly Town Hall.
Learn about TAG discussions and listen to the recording from our December 15 Transition Advisory Group Meeting.
Now Available - Final Department of Early Childhood Transition Plan unanimously approved by the Early Childhood Leadership Commission on November 10, 2021.
Review notes, presentations and recordings from Subgroup Meetings.
Completed Department of Early Childhood Transition Plan sent to ECLC for approval. Read the press release and view a recording of the press conference with Governor Polis!
Listen to a recording and view slides from our Statewide Listening Tour. Thank you to everyone who was able to participate and engage in these important conversations!
Read the Draft Department of Early Childhood Transition Plan and Transition Plan Feedback.
Find out what parents, providers, and members of the early childhood workforce shared during our interactive Listening Sessions.