Let’s Build Something Big
TEENS, Inc. is engaged in a capital campaign to address a critical community need—access to high-quality, year-round early childhood education and care.
We aim to raise approximately $7.6 million to build a childcare center that facilitates belonging, exploration, discovery, and connection with nature in Nederland, Colorado. The new center will address the shortage of existing care to benefit families, employers, and the community.
DONATE NOW
Hear from a Teacher
Watch this short video to hear from Larissa Albright Brown — a third grade teacher at Nederland Elementary — about why expanding access to Early Childhood Education (ECE) is vital for our mountain community.
The Need in Ned
20
Total year-round childcare slots for preschool for children ages infant to 2½ yrs. old.
0
childcare slots currently available for children ages 0 to 2.5.
1+
Hours to drive the 45.2 miles across our service area, in good weather.
80+
Families on waitlist at our preschool, New Explorers Learning Center.
51%
are ready to enroll their child today or in the next 6 months.
34%
of these families qualify for financial assistance.
TEENS, Inc. has partnered with the Town of Nederland to build a new early childhood education center on a centrally located, ready-to-build parcel of land, leased to TEENS, Inc. by the Town of Nederland for 99 years at $1 per year.
This Center will:
Have the capacity to serve 65 children each weekday, year-round, from infants to preschoolers.
Create a much needed feeder school into our elementary school, strengthening education in Nederland for years to come.
Offer after-school care for children up to age 7.
Provide sliding-scale tuition and unlimited enrollment for families eligible for the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP).
Have a commercial kitchen providing healthy food to all enrolled children.
Support local working families, ensuring their children receive high-quality, equitable early education.
Be energy efficient, embodying environmental sustainability while creating a safe, engaging learning space for children.
NOTE: These images are mock-ups and are not 100% indicative of the building’s final design.
Our Solution
Impact
Children who have
access to high-quality ECE…
There is a big return on investment when children have access to high quality early childhood education. Children who experience high quality ECE graduate from high school at a rate 30% higher than peers who did not attend such programs, are 50% more likely to hold jobs that pay a livable wage, and experience improved social-emotional development, which leads to better health and well-being.
Beyond that, access to year-round childcare benefit families, schools, and communities.
Local families succeed: With more childcare slots, parents can stay in the workforce, supporting family stability and economic growth.
Local schools benefit: By keeping young children in the community, we strengthen the pipeline to local elementary, middle, and high schools, preserving essential funding and services.
Local community thrives: Expanded childcare options will help attract and retain families, employees, and businesses, fostering long-term community health and vibrancy.
GET INVOLVED
Learn More by contacting
Kristin Aslan,
Development Director
at 720-480-1002
or kristin@teensinc.org.
Make a one-time donation HERE
Let’s WORK TOGETHER!
Supported by Local Organizations:
“We are very much in favor of the project as it Meets so many needs of the Town and the region."
- Annette Treufeldt-Franck,
Vice-Chair, Peak to Peak Housing & Human Services Alliance
