Zach’s Place – New Family Enrollment
Welcome to Zach’s Place! We are so excited about your interest in Zach’s Place!
Zach’s Place at the Laurie Hillyard Family Center is the only licensed childcare facility in the Pikes Peak Region that offers specialized child and respite care for youth with disabilities, ages 2.5 to 18. We serve both children with special needs and typically developing children in an inclusive, supportive setting. We provide the break and support parents need while giving children the chance to enjoy fun and challenging activities in a learning environment. Moreover, we believe that an inclusive learning environment allows both special needs and typical children to benefit from shared experiences.
To begin the enrollment process, we ask all interested families to complete an inquiry form per child. This helps us understand what kinds of support services you’re looking for and gives us a high-level view of your child’s needs. Please note: filling out this form does not guarantee enrollment. After we receive your inquiry, a member of our team will contact you within two business days to schedule a tour of our facility.
During the tour, you’ll have a chance to:
- Walk through our physical environment.
- Learn about the services you’re most interested in.
- Sit down with our team to further discuss your child’s unique needs, goals, and guardian expectations.
We encourage you to bring your child with you! Our staff will engage with them—and, if they’re willing, invite them to join in on any activities taking place during your visit.
What happens after the tour? Following your tour and meeting with our team, if Zach’s Place seems like a good fit for your family, our team will reach out within 48 hours to provide you with our full enrollment packet and walk you through the next steps. This may include gathering medical and support documentation, reviewing care plans, and scheduling your child’s first day. Our team will be here to support you every step of the way.
STEP 2 – SCHEDULE & ATTEND A TOUR
- A team member will contact you within 2 business days
- During the tour you’ll:
- Walk through our facility
- Learn more about the services you’re most interested in
- Meet with our team to discuss your child’s needs, goals, and guardian expectations.
STEP 3 – POST TOUR FOLLOW-UP
- Our team will follow up within 2 business days
- If Zach’s Place seems like a good fit:
- You’ll receive an enrollment packet and guidance on the next steps. This will include things like:
- Submitting medical and support documentation
- Reviewing care plans
- Scheduling your child’s first day
- You’ll receive an enrollment packet and guidance on the next steps. This will include things like:
FAQs About Zach’s Place
While we cannot guarantee placement, we make every effort to accommodate your family. We provide a loving and safe environment with trained individuals who concentrate in special needs and behavioral challenges.
Yes we do! We offer a sliding fee scale based on your household income and will provide applicable discounts based on those determinations.
YES, Zach’s Place is a UPK provider. How Does it Work?
All children in Colorado can register for up to 15 hours of free, high-quality preschool in their year before kindergarten through Colorado’s Universal Pre-K (UPK) Program.
- Families may qualify for more hours based on a number of qualifying factors.
- 3 Year Olds should contact their school district for preschool services.
- Preschool aged children with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) should work with their Special Education Administrative Unit (AU) to enroll.
To find out more information visit: https://cdec.colorado.gov/universal-preschool-colorado OR https://upk.colorado.gov/providers/98b507b1-c42e-4c99-aa5b-23916838f058
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.
Yes. Zach’s Place is specifically designed and staffed to support children with a wide range of developmental needs, including autism, ADHD, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other disabilities. We are the only licensed child care facility in the Pikes Peak Region that specializes in care for children with disabilities alongside their typically developing peers. Our team works with each family to understand their child’s individual needs before enrollment.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
