Short-Term Child Care & Respite in Colorado Springs for Visiting Families
Visiting Colorado Springs and Need Child Care?
Whether you’re visiting family, relocating temporarily, attending a conference, or supporting a loved one, finding trusted short-term child care in Colorado Springs can feel overwhelming.
Parents want peace of mind knowing their child is in a safe, nurturing, and structured environment — even if care is only needed for a few days or weeks.
At Zach’s Place, we provide flexible short-term child care and respite services designed to support families during transitional moments.
Flexible Child Care for Temporary Needs
Life doesn’t always follow a long-term schedule. Families may need child care because of:
- Military relocation or temporary assignment
- Visiting relatives or extended stays
- Medical appointments or procedures
- Conferences or work travel
- Emergency or unexpected situations
- Caregiver support needs
Our team works with families to provide flexible scheduling options when short-term support is needed.
Inclusive Care for Children of All Abilities
Zach’s Place welcomes children ages 2.5–18, including both typically developing children and those with developmental disabilities.
Our structured environment includes:
- Supervised play and social interaction
- Creative activities and learning experiences
- Outdoor time and physical movement
- Age-appropriate life skills development
Children quickly feel welcomed and supported — even if their stay is temporary.
Respite Care for Traveling Families
If you’re caring for a child with special needs while visiting Colorado Springs, respite care can provide essential support.
Our licensed staff understand how to create a calm, engaging environment that allows caregivers time to rest, attend appointments, or manage travel logistics with confidence.
A Trusted Community Partner
Established in 1998, Zach’s Place is a licensed nonprofit child care and respite program serving families across the Pikes Peak Region.
Families appreciate:
- Compassionate, trained educators
- A safe and welcoming facility
- Clear communication
- Flexible enrollment options
Planning a Visit? Contact Us
If you’ll be in Colorado Springs and need short-term child care or respite support, we encourage you to reach out in advance.
We’ll help you understand availability, enrollment, and scheduling options so your visit can be smooth and stress-free.
FAQs about SKSF Child Care in Colorado Springs
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.
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.
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.
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.
How can I choose the right special needs child care or respite service provider in Colorado Springs?
When selecting a provider in Colorado Springs, consider factors such as licensing status, staff qualifications, program offerings tailored to your child’s specific needs, and the availability of personalized care plans. Evaluating providers like Zach’s Place at The Laurie Hillyard Family Center can ensure high-quality care that supports your child’s development effectively.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Typically developing children in inclusive child care environments gain empathy, compassion, and a deeper understanding of diversity from an early age. These settings promote positive classroom culture and community awareness by encouraging social learning through interaction with peers who have different abilities, thereby fostering acceptance and respect among all children.
