Early Childhood Education Qualitative and Cost Data Analysis in La Plata County

Prepared for Early Milestones Colorado in 2020

In 2020, APA Consulting provided qualitative and cost data analysis of an infant and toddler child care facility currently operating in Durango High School in the Durango 9-R school district, in La Plata County, Colorado. This work included a review of the child care context in the area, the motivating factors that led to consideration of creating an infant and toddler ECE center sponsored by the district, the key ingredients that allowed its creation, a description of the center as currently implemented (including operating costs and tuition rates), and a set of suggested implementation steps for other districts to consider based on Durango’s experience. APA also reviewed potential or expected impacts of the center on teachers and students and some tensions that arose during creation and implementation.