Special Needs Child Care in Colorado Springs: Questions to Ask Before You Enroll
Handing your child to someone new is hard for any parent. When your child has a disability, a medical need, or communicates in a different way, it can feel like a much bigger step.
You’re not only wondering whether a program is nice. You’re wondering whether the people there will understand your child.
Good questions help. Here are the ones Colorado Springs parents tell us mattered most, along with what to listen for in the answers.
Start With Licensing and Experience
Ask whether the program is licensed by the state of Colorado. Licensed programs are inspected by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood, and you can look up a provider’s licensing history online.
Then ask how long the program has served children with disabilities and what kinds of needs they see most often. Special Kids Special Families, which runs Zach’s Place, has been serving Colorado Springs families since 1998.
Questions About the People Caring for Your Child
- How are staff trained to support children with different needs?
- How many adults are in the room, and how does that change for children who need more support?
- Who covers when a regular staff member is out, and how do they learn about my child?
- How long have most of your staff been here?
Listen for specific answers. “We have lots of experience” tells you less than “Our team meets every morning to go over each child’s plan for the day.”
Questions About Your Child’s Day
- What does a typical day look like, and how would it change for my child?
- How do you handle transitions, sensory overload, or a hard moment?
- How will my child communicate if they’re nonverbal or use a device or picture board?
- Will my child join group activities and outings with everyone else?
Ask to see the schedule posted in the room. A well-run classroom has a visible rhythm that children can predict.
Questions About Health and Safety
- Who gives medications, and how are they trained and documented?
- How do you handle allergies, feeding needs, or mobility equipment?
- What approach do you use when a child is upset or unsafe, and how will I be told?
- What is your plan for medical emergencies?
These are fair questions for any program. A good one will answer them clearly and won’t seem surprised you asked.
Questions About Working With Your Family
You know your child best. Ask how the program will learn from you, and how often you’ll hear back.
- How will you share how my child’s day went?
- Will you coordinate with my child’s therapists or IEP team?
- What happens if I have a concern?
Red Flags Worth Noticing
A tour tells you a lot if you watch as well as listen. A few things worth noticing:
- Staff who talk about children by diagnosis instead of by name
- Children with disabilities sitting apart while the rest of the group plays
- Vague answers about medications, emergencies, or how hard moments are handled
- Reluctance to let you visit before you enroll
None of these automatically rules a program out. Each one is worth a follow-up question before you decide.
Why Inclusion Belongs on Your List
Ask whether children with and without disabilities spend the day together. In an inclusive program, your child plays alongside peers who model language, play, and social skills, and has a real place in a class of friends.
Inclusion can make family life simpler, too. Because Zach’s Place serves typically developing children as well, brothers and sisters can often attend the same program.
What to Expect When You Visit Zach’s Place
Zach’s Place at the Laurie Hillyard Family Center, 4795 Granby Circle in Colorado Springs, serves children from age 2.5 through 18. Along with child care and preschool, we offer respite care for families who need a break.
We’re also a licensed Colorado Universal Preschool (UPK) provider, and extended hours are available on a sliding fee scale. Children with an IEP can work with their school district’s special education team to coordinate UPK enrollment.
Getting started means an application at sksfcolorado.org, your child’s shot records and a recent physical, and a visit and intake where we get to know your child. Bring your list of questions. We’d rather answer every one of them than have you leave unsure.
Schedule a tour of Zach’s Place. Call 719-447-8983 or visit sksfcolorado.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is special needs child care?
Special needs child care is child care that’s set up to support children with disabilities, developmental delays, or medical needs. In an inclusive program like Zach’s Place, those children spend the day alongside typically developing peers.
What questions should I ask a special needs daycare?
Ask about licensing, staff training, how many adults are in the room, how the day is adjusted for your child, how medications and emergencies are handled, and how the program communicates with families.
What ages does Zach’s Place serve?
Zach’s Place serves children from age 2.5 through 18, so families don’t have to change programs as a child grows from preschool into school-age care.
Can siblings without disabilities attend Zach’s Place?
Often, yes. Zach’s Place is an inclusive program that serves typically developing children as well as children with disabilities. Call us to ask about openings for each of your children.
How much does special needs child care cost at Zach’s Place?
UPK hours are free for eligible children, and extended hours are offered on a sliding fee scale. Call 719-447-8983 and we’ll walk you through your options.
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FAQs about SKSF Child Care in Colorado Springs
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.
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.
Families can contact Zach’s Place directly through our website or call our office to schedule a tour. We encourage parents to visit and experience our inclusive preschool environment firsthand.
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.
Zach’s Place operates on a sliding-fee scale based on household income, which means costs are adjusted to reflect what your family can realistically afford. Rates can be as low as $9 per hour for qualifying families. To find out what rate applies to your family, contact us to schedule an intake assessment — we’ll walk you through everything in a private, no-pressure conversation.
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.
Yes. Zach’s Place offers flexible short-term child care options for families visiting Colorado Springs or needing temporary support. Availability depends on scheduling and enrollment requirements, so we encourage families to contact us in advance.
Zach’s Place serves children ages 2.5 to 18 in various programs. Our preschool programming focuses on early childhood development and kindergarten readiness for preschool-aged children.
Our team will provide a checklist during the enrollment process, which may include health records, emergency contacts, and any necessary care plans. Preparing these in advance helps ensure a smooth transition for your child.
Childcare providers often encounter barriers like negative attitudes towards disabilities, limited access to adequately trained staff, and coordination difficulties between early intervention specialists and childcare teams. These challenges can hinder the creation of truly inclusive environments that effectively support children with diverse needs in Colorado Springs.
