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.
Inclusive child care refers to early childhood programs that integrate children with disabilities alongside their typically developing peers, providing adapted activities and individualized support. In Colorado Springs, such inclusive settings are vital as they foster life skills development, cognitive growth, and social competence for children with disabilities, ensuring they have equal opportunities to learn and thrive within a supportive community.
Most experts recommend starting a structured preschool or kindergarten readiness program at age 3 or 4. In Colorado, the Universal Pre-K (UPK) program is specifically designed for children in the year before kindergarten — typically age 4. Children with developmental needs or IEPs may access services earlier. Contact us to discuss the best timing for your child.
Yes. In addition to our sliding-fee scale, Colorado families may qualify for the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP), child care tax credits, and free preschool hours through Colorado’s UPK program. Our team can help connect you with information on any of these options during your intake visit.
A preschool day includes structured learning, creative expression through art and music, outdoor play, life-skills development, and social engagement. Activities are designed to support cognitive, emotional, and physical development in a nurturing environment.
Respite care is planned, temporary care specifically designed to give caregivers of individuals with disabilities a break from their caregiving responsibilities. Unlike general child care, respite care is provided by staff trained in supporting individuals with a range of developmental and physical disabilities — and is specifically intended to support the sustainability of family caregiving. At Zach’s Place, respite care and child care exist side by side, and children in both settings receive the same high-quality, inclusive experience.
Our staff are trained to support children across a broad range of developmental profiles in an inclusive classroom environment. Activities are thoughtfully adapted so that children with and without disabilities can participate together, each benefiting from the interaction. We maintain small group sizes, have an RN on staff, and coordinate closely with families to ensure each child’s individual needs are met throughout the day.
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.
Yes. Zach’s Place is a Colorado Universal Preschool (UPK) provider. Eligible families may qualify for free, high-quality preschool hours during the year before kindergarten.
Zach’s Place serves children ages 2.5 through 18, making us one of the few child care and respite programs in the Colorado Springs area that supports children across such a broad age range. This includes school-age children who need care before and after the school day as well as children who require specialized support during those hours.
