Why Inclusive Child Care Is Good for Every Child — Including Yours
Choosing child care for your child is one of the most meaningful decisions you’ll make as a parent. You want a safe, nurturing environment where your child can learn, grow, make friends, and develop the skills they’ll need for kindergarten and beyond. At Zach’s Place at the Laurie Hillyard Family Center in Colorado Springs, we offer something that most daycares can’t: a truly inclusive learning environment — and the research shows that’s good news for every child we serve.
What Is Inclusive Child Care?
Inclusive child care means that children with and without disabilities learn, play, and grow together in the same classroom. Rather than separating children by ability, inclusive programs create shared environments where every child is supported, respected, and given the tools to succeed.
At Zach’s Place, we’ve been doing this since 1998. As the only licensed childcare facility in the Pikes Peak Region that specializes in care for children with disabilities ages 2.5–18, we welcome both children with special needs and their typically developing peers. The result is a richer, more meaningful experience for everyone.
The Benefits of Inclusive Child Care for Neurotypical Children
If your child doesn’t have a disability, you might wonder whether an inclusive setting is the right fit. The answer — backed by decades of early childhood research — is a confident yes. Here’s why:
1. They Build Stronger Social Skills
Children in inclusive settings learn to communicate, collaborate, and problem-solve with peers who experience the world differently. These interactions naturally develop patience, flexibility, and communication skills — foundational building blocks for school and life.
2. They Develop Real-World Empathy
Empathy isn’t something you can teach through a worksheet. It grows through experience — through knowing and caring about people who are different from you. Children who grow up in inclusive environments are shown to demonstrate greater compassion and a deeper understanding of human differences. These are qualities that will serve your child for the rest of their life.
3. They’re Better Prepared for Kindergarten
Zach’s Place is a Universal Preschool (UPK) provider, meaning eligible 4-year-olds can access up to 15 hours of free preschool per week right here in our inclusive classrooms. The social-emotional skills children gain in our program — turn-taking, self-regulation, problem-solving, peer collaboration — align directly with kindergarten readiness expectations.
4. They Learn at a High Standard
Our staff are trained to meet the needs of children with a wide range of abilities. That means structured routines, individualized attention, and intentional curriculum. Neurotypical children don’t just keep up — they often thrive because of the high staff-to-child ratios and consistent, nurturing environment.
5. They Gain a More Accurate Picture of the World
The real world is diverse. Schools, workplaces, and communities include people of all abilities. Children who grow up in inclusive environments are better prepared for that reality — and more likely to become adults who lead with inclusion.
What a Day at Zach’s Place Looks Like
Our program blends structured learning with play-based exploration. A typical day might include:
- Creative arts, music, and storytelling activities
- Life skills practice like cooking, hygiene, and community outings
- Time in our Gardens Grow therapeutic garden program
- Field trips to local Colorado Springs destinations like the Garden of the Gods and Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
- Recreational activities including hiking, YMCA swimming, and free play
We offer flexible scheduling — before and after school care, full-day programs, weekend care, and summer programming — so our program can work around your family’s needs. We also operate on a sliding fee scale, so quality inclusive care is accessible regardless of income level.
A Colorado Springs Community Built on Inclusion
Zach’s Place is proudly located at the Laurie Hillyard Family Center in Colorado Springs, and we serve families from across the Pikes Peak Region. Whether your family is new to the area, relocating, or simply looking for a child care option that offers something more, we’d love to welcome you.
Our program is more than a daycare. It’s a community — one built on the belief that every child deserves a place to belong, grow, and thrive.
Is Inclusive Child Care Right for Your Family?
If you’re searching for preschool or daycare in Colorado Springs and want a program that prepares your child academically and socially while contributing to a broader community good, Zach’s Place is worth a visit. We’d love to show you around, introduce you to our staff, and answer any questions you have.
Schedule a tour today by calling us at 719-447-8983 or visiting sksfcolorado.org. Enrollment spots are available, and our team is ready to help you find the right fit for your child and family.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Zach’s Place a good fit for children who don’t have a disability?
Absolutely. Zach’s Place welcomes children of all abilities. Neurotypical children benefit from the inclusive environment through stronger social-emotional development, empathy, and kindergarten readiness skills. Many families choose us specifically because of the quality of our staff and the richness of our program.
What does inclusive child care mean in practice?
At Zach’s Place, inclusive child care means children with and without disabilities share the same classrooms and activities. Our trained staff provide individualized support so every child can participate, contribute, and grow — at their own pace and in their own way.
Does Zach’s Place offer Universal Preschool (UPK)?
Yes! Zach’s Place is a certified UPK provider in Colorado. Children in the year before kindergarten can access up to 15 hours of free, high-quality preschool per week. Contact us to learn about enrollment and available seats for the upcoming school year.
How much does child care at Zach’s Place cost?
Zach’s Place operates on a sliding fee scale based on household income, meaning rates are adjusted to be affordable for families across a wide range of financial situations. Rates can be as low as $9/hour, which is significantly below the average local child care cost. Contact us to discuss what your family’s rate would be.
How do I enroll my child at Zach’s Place?
You can start the enrollment process by visiting sksfcolorado.org or calling 719-447-8983. Enrollment includes completing an application, gathering necessary paperwork (shot records, current physical), and scheduling a facility tour and intake assessment.
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How do inclusive child care programs support life skills development for children with disabilities?
Inclusive child care programs intentionally design or modify activities to promote critical life skills such as motor skill development and language acquisition. By integrating these focused approaches within an inclusive atmosphere, children with disabilities in Colorado Springs gain foundational abilities necessary for overall growth and future societal participation while benefiting from peer interactions and play-based learning.
These programs also provide valuable resources and support for families, helping them navigate the challenges of raising a child with disabilities. By offering inclusive child care options, Colorado Springs is not only promoting equality and inclusivity but also fostering an environment where all children can thrive and reach their full potential.
Yes. Many parents choose inclusive preschool because it helps children build emotional intelligence, adaptability, and strong social skills. Children learn patience, leadership, and collaboration by interacting with classmates of different abilities — preparing them for real-world environments.
Yes. Zach’s Place is a licensed Universal Pre-K (UPK) provider. Eligible families can receive up to 15 hours of free, high-quality preschool per week in the year before kindergarten. Some families qualify for additional hours depending on income and other factors. Contact us to check your eligibility.
Look for programs with a structured daily routine, trained and credentialed educators, small group sizes, a play-based and life-skills-integrated curriculum, and a track record in your community. Ask about teacher-to-child ratios, how the program handles transitions, and whether it supports children with diverse learning needs. Zach’s Place checks every one of these boxes — and we’re happy to answer any questions during a tour.
An inclusive preschool brings together children of all abilities in one shared learning environment. Children learn alongside peers with diverse strengths and learning styles, helping them develop communication skills, empathy, confidence, and cooperation in a natural classroom setting.
During the intake process, we’ll ask for your child’s health records including current immunizations and a recent physical exam, any relevant care plans or IEP documents, emergency contact information, and details about your child’s needs, preferences, and daily routines. This helps us prepare to provide the most supportive experience possible from your child’s very first day.
Inclusive child care programs in Colorado Springs are supported by key laws such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Head Start Act. These legislations ensure equal access to education and childcare services for children with disabilities and mandate the establishment and maintenance of inclusive practices within local childcare settings.
Children in inclusive classrooms consistently develop stronger communication skills, greater empathy, and better social adaptability than peers in non-inclusive settings. At Zach’s Place, neurotypical children learn to collaborate with peers of different abilities, which builds the flexibility and perspective-taking that are proven predictors of long-term social and academic success.
Specialized child care and respite services enhance socialization and skill development for neurodivergent children while providing parents with necessary breaks to reduce burnout. These services promote mental health stability within families by offering individualized attention from trained caregivers in supportive environments throughout Colorado Springs.
Our after-school programming includes homework support, life skills practice, creative activities (art, music, storytelling), outdoor and physical play, community outings to Colorado Springs destinations, and participation in our Gardens Grow therapeutic gardening program. Every afternoon is intentionally structured to keep children engaged, supported, and growing.
