Zach’s Place at The Laurie Hillyard Family Center
The Zach’s Place Purpose
We serve special needs and typical children. Strong, healthy families are at the core of our goals and values. 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 – 18. We provide a break and support that parents need, while giving the child a chance for 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 environments and experiences.
The Zach’s Place Difference
- We encourage creativity and create art, write stories and participate in musical activities
- Provide active, structured, and free play while teaching life skills and socialization skills
- Operate on a sliding fee scale, no one is ever turned away because of an inability to pay
- Offer flexible scheduling and individualized support
- Strive to serve as many families as possible with high quality, compassionate care
Zach’s Place History
Zach’s Place opened its doors in 1998 to provide families in the Pikes Peak region a safe place for parents to entrust their child(ren) with disabilities and their siblings in the care of trained staff without regard to race, religion, or ethnicity.
In November 2015, we officially named the facility Zach’s Place at The Laurie Hillyard Family Center. The facilities’ new name is in honor of Laurie Hillyard, a woman with a disability who is loved and cherished by her family, the descendants of the Helen K. and Arthur E. Johnson Foundation founders. Read about Laurie’s story.
Today, at Zach’s Place, we seek to strengthen families by providing quality respite care in a nurturing environment, whether for a day, or on an ongoing basis. We also help children achieve their greatest level of independence through life skills training.
Goals at Zach’s Place
One of our most important goals at Zach’s Place at The Laurie Hillyard Family Center is working on life skills. This is very important to our families that we serve. These life and development skills help youths to be a more active member of their family and their community.
We work on everyday activities such as:
- Preparing meals
- Visiting local stores and restaurants
- How to be safe at home and in the community
Children are developed and encouraged to:
- Keep themselves clean
- Participate in regular exercise
- Learn the value of socialization
We keep children engaged and connected to their community.
Children may have the opportunity to participate in:
- Swimming at the YMCA
- Trip and hikes to local parks like the Garden of the Gods
- A visit to the North Pole Amusement Park
- Interact with the animals at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
- And much more!
We also focus on taking care of physical and mental health.
GARDENS GROW PROGRAM
All children have the opportunity to participate in the SKSF Gardens Grow program at Zach’s. The garden is a therapeutic and educational space designed to enhance the well-being and skill development of children with disabilities. Through hands-on gardening and a tailored weekly curriculum, kids have the opportunity to connect with nature, develop new skills, build confidence, learn healthy habits, and, of course, have fun!
BEE+POSITIVE PROGRAM
Bee+Positive is an SKSF innovative initiative launched through generous grant support that provides clients and community with layers of lessons, curriculum, and real-world hands-on application to foster the excitement and love of learning about the honeybee and other pollinators.
Zach’s Place Features
SOCIALIZATION
RESPITE & FAMILY SUPPORT
LIFE SKILLS & INDEPENDENCE
ZACH’S PLACE IS A UPK PROVIDER
Zach’s Place is a Universal Preschool 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.
Zach’s Place FAQs
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 in Colorado Springs is a specialised childcare and respite service for children with disabilities. The program offers a safe, nurturing environment where children can engage in activities tailored to their developmental needs while parents and caregivers get reliable care support.
Zach’s Place serves children with disabilities across a variety of ages, depending on individual needs assessment. Programs are designed to adapt to developmental stages, offering age-appropriate activities, social interaction, and structured play in a supportive setting.
To enroll your child in Zach’s Place, contact Special Kids Special Families to discuss your child’s needs, complete intake forms, and review program requirements. Staff can help guide you through eligibility, scheduling, and care planning for effective support.
Zach’s Place is trusted because it combines specialised care with a child-centered approach, offering activities, trained staff, and developmental support. Families value the respite care environment for its focus on engagement, individual attention, and consistent care routines.
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.
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