Starting Child Care Mid-Year in Colorado Springs: It’s Not Too Late
It’s October. School has been in session for weeks, and the child care plan you made back in July isn’t holding up.
Maybe your work hours changed. Maybe you just moved to Colorado Springs and missed every enrollment date you heard about. Or maybe your child isn’t settling in where they are, and you can see it at pickup every afternoon.
Child care doesn’t run on a single sign-up day. Families start mid-year all the time, and a fall or winter start can go just as well as one in August.
Why Families Look for Child Care in the Middle of the Year
Most mid-year searches start with a change nobody planned for. A parent takes a new job or a different shift. A grandparent who was covering afternoons can’t anymore. A military family arrives on new orders at Fort Carson, Peterson, or Schriever in November instead of June.
Other times the change is about the child. A 3-year-old who was fine at home is suddenly ready for more structure and more friends. A preschooler in a large center seems lost in the crowd. Parents notice, and they start looking.
Whatever the reason, it helps to know you aren’t behind. You’re making a decision with better information than you had in the summer.
What a Mid-Year Start Looks Like at Zach’s Place
Zach’s Place at the Laurie Hillyard Family Center serves children from age 2.5 through 18. Our program is inclusive: typically developing children and children with disabilities learn and play in the same rooms, on the same schedule.
Getting started takes a few steps:
- Complete an application at sksfcolorado.org.
- Gather your child’s current shot records and a recent physical.
- Schedule a visit and intake so our team can get to know your child, your routines, and what you’re hoping for.
Openings change throughout the year by age group and schedule. The fastest way to find out what’s available for your child is to call us and ask about current openings.
Universal Pre-K after the school year starts
Zach’s Place is a licensed Colorado Universal Preschool (UPK) provider. Eligible children in the year before kindergarten can receive up to 15 hours of free preschool each week.
If your child is 4 and you haven’t used UPK yet this year, ask us how placement works now that the school year is underway. Families who need longer days can add extended hours on our sliding fee scale.
Why Starting Now Beats Waiting Until Next Fall
Waiting for a “clean” start next August can mean nine more months of patchwork care. For most children, a steady weekly rhythm matters more than the calendar date it begins.
Joining mid-year has a quiet advantage, too. The classroom routines are already set, so a new child walks into a predictable day: arrival, circle time, play, lunch, rest. Many children find that reassuring.
For 4-year-olds, every month of classroom time before kindergarten counts. Following directions in a group, taking turns, and managing a morning without a parent nearby are skills children build by practicing them.
Why Families Choose an Inclusive Program
Parents of typically developing children sometimes ask whether an inclusive classroom is the right fit for their child. In our experience, children learn patience, flexible communication, and real empathy from classmates who move, talk, and play in different ways.
Families of children with disabilities find a program where their child is a full member of the class, with staff who adapt the day to each child. Special Kids Special Families has been serving Colorado Springs families since 1998.
Making a Mid-Year Switch Easier on Your Child
A few small steps can make the first weeks smoother:
- Talk about the new school a few days ahead, using simple, upbeat words.
- Visit together before the first day so the building and faces feel familiar.
- Keep your morning routine the same: same wake-up time, same breakfast, same goodbye.
- Pack a small comfort item from home if your child has one.
- Tell teachers what worked, and what didn’t, in your child’s last arrangement.
Expect a few teary drop-offs. They usually fade as your child learns the rhythm of the day and starts looking forward to friends.
Child Care in Colorado Springs That Grows With Your Family
Zach’s Place is located at 4795 Granby Circle, Colorado Springs, CO 80919. Because we serve children from preschool age through 18, families don’t have to start over when a child moves from preschool into school-age care.
Ready to see if Zach’s Place is the right fit this year? Schedule a tour. Call 719-447-8983 or visit sksfcolorado.org to ask about current openings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my child start child care in the middle of the school year?
Yes. Families join Zach’s Place at different points throughout the year. Openings vary by age group and schedule, so call 719-447-8983 to ask what’s available for your child right now.
Is it too late to use Universal Pre-K this year?
Not necessarily. Zach’s Place is a licensed Colorado UPK provider, and eligible children in the year before kindergarten can receive up to 15 hours of free preschool each week. Ask us how mid-year UPK placement works for your family.
What do I need to enroll at Zach’s Place?
You’ll complete an application at sksfcolorado.org and provide your child’s current shot records and a recent physical. Then we’ll schedule a visit and intake to get to know your child.
What ages does Zach’s Place serve?
Zach’s Place serves children from age 2.5 through 18 in an inclusive setting, with typically developing children and children with disabilities in the same program.
How much does child care cost at Zach’s Place?
UPK hours are free for eligible children. Extended hours are offered on a sliding fee scale, so cost depends on your family’s situation. Call us and we’ll walk you through it.
FAQs about SKSF Child Care in Colorado Springs
Enrollment is easy. Complete an application at sksfcolorado.org, then gather your child’s current shot records and a recent physical. We’ll schedule a site visit and intake assessment to get to know your child and make sure we’re a great fit. We encourage families to apply early — spaces fill quickly, especially for UPK-eligible children.
We understand that families sometimes need child care for a limited time due to travel, relocation, medical appointments, or unexpected situations. Our team works with families to explore short-term enrollment options based on space and staffing availability. We encourage you to call us today to see if Zach’s Place is a fit for your short-term child care needs in 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.
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. 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.
Yes. Zach’s Place operates on a sliding-fee scale based on household income, which means families pay what they can afford — with rates as low as $9 per hour for qualifying families. Colorado families may also be eligible for support through the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) or state disability services funding. Our team can help connect you with information on any of these options during your intake visit.
Respite care at Zach’s Place can be used on a recurring basis — weekly, several times a week, or on a schedule that works for your family. We work with families to build arrangements that provide consistent, reliable relief. Regular respite has been shown to be significantly more effective at preventing burnout than occasional or emergency-only use, so we encourage families to think of it as an ongoing support rather than a last resort.
SKSF in Colorado Springs offers a wide range of programs including foster care, behavioral health support, community day programs, mentorship opportunities, counseling, workforce development, and specialized respite care like Zach’s Place at The Laurie Hillyard Family Center. These comprehensive services support families beyond childcare to enhance overall quality of life.
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.
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.
