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2009: Education Education 2009/10 by Jennie Lay Back to Work
Making childcare accessible for everyone
Not unlike urban areas, finding affordable childcare can be a struggle for working families in the Steamboat Springs area. It’s rare that Routt County preschools and childcare providers report openings instead of waiting lists, and the average cost of childcare is estimated at $14,000 per year for one child in full-time care.  | | Molly Bisbee strikes a pose while recreating on the playground at Laurel Street Pre-school. Photo by Shelly Bisbee |
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It’s often called the “Childcare tri-lemma,” says First Impressions early childhood manager Stephanie Martin: “Providing quality childcare, that’s affordable, while retaining qualified teachers. This is how First Impressions came to be.”
First Impressions was founded a decade ago on the idea that early childhood education is a good investment, with studies showing that 90 percent of brain development occurs before age five and every $1 invested in early childhood care and education saves $7 to $19 in special education, health care, public welfare and the criminal justice system. Funded by the county, Steamboat and state and local grants, First Impressions supports school readiness programs, parent education classes, best practices for childcare centers and a scholarship program.
The early childhood council also fosters the development of skilled home childcare centers throughout the county. Fifty percent of childcare providers in Routt County are three- and four-star Qualistar rated, nationally accredited or working towards national accreditation. First Impressions adds another level of authority by holding local childcare providers to best practices guidelines, a requirement for any center that wants to host scholarship recipients.
A First Impressions business advisory task force reaches out to local employers to inform them about how to help their employees with childcare issues, including implementing flexible scheduling, job sharing or work-from-home programs that can cost less than recruiting and training new employees. “Without childcare, a parent couldn’t join the workforce,” Stephanie says. “Good, safe childcare allows parents to be productive employees at work.” More information: www.firstimpresionsofrouttcounty.org.
Fast Facts
Education
• Routt County School District RE-2 serves Steamboat Springs with two elementary schools (grades K-5), one middle school (6-8), one charter school (K-8) and one high school (9-12).
• Soda Creek Elementary received a “high” rating for overall academic performance, and Strawberry Park Elementary, Steamboat Springs Middle School and Steamboat Springs High School received “excellent” ratings from the Colorado Department of Education.
• A Montessori strand was incorporated into Strawberry Park Elementary School in 2004.
• Average spending per student for the 2008/09 academic year was $10,128.
• Total K-12 enrollment for the 2008/09 school year was 2,140 students.
• The Colorado Mountain College Alpine Campus offers two-year associate of arts degrees, community education and on-campus living quarters, and beginning in fall 2008, a four-year education degree.  | | image3-center- |
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