Celebrating Our Child Care Providers 💛

Provider Appreciation Day (May 8, 2026) is a time to recognize the incredible people who care for and teach our youngest children. This day is celebrated each year on the Friday before Mother’s Day to honor child care providers, teachers, and early childhood educators everywhere.

Child care providers do so much more than supervise children. They help them learn, grow, and feel safe every day. They support working families and play a key role in building strong, healthy communities.

Today, we want to say THANK YOU to the providers in our community. Your hard work, patience, and care make a lasting difference in the lives of children and families.

Take a moment to show your appreciation. Send a thank you, share a kind message, or simply let a provider know how much they matter.

Otero College Child Development Services

Otero College Child Development Services is now enrolling young children, from 6 weeks to 6 years old. This program helps children get ready for school and supports families too. Services include health checkups, healthy meals, family support, and fun learning activities. They also offer dual language programs and services for children with disabilities.

This program is open to families working in agriculture and others in the community. It’s a great way to help children learn and grow in a safe and caring place.

To learn more or enroll, contact:

Alamosa: 719-589-8683

Center: 719-754-2971

Or visit: www.cdsheadstart.com

Coaching

It's Time to Play. Loose Parts!

Loose parts are collections of open-ended materials that can be used in many different ways. They can be big or small or from the natural world. Playing with loose parts can help children develop important skills. Research shows that when children create and build, explore, and pretend, they strengthen cognitive skills like problem solving and executive functioning.-Headstart.gov

Watch this short video and learn more about how to use loose parts in the classroom and at home!

Watch the entire video here!

Do you have a baby or toddler at home?

If your child is between 12 months and 3 years old, your family may qualify for FREE Early Head Start services right here in Alamosa County.

We’re here to support local families with:

• Safe, nurturing early learning

• Developmental support for your child

• Resources and encouragement for families

• No cost for qualifying families

We currently have a few openings available and would love to connect with you.

Call Alex or Erica at 719-937-4010

Or click the button below to fill out the interest form and we’ll reach out to you.

Mental Health

Our Mental Health Department shared a helpful reminder for anyone dealing with stress, especially caregivers.

Taking care of others can be hard, but focusing on small positive moments each day can make a big difference.

Simple things like noticing good moments, taking a few deep breaths, or remembering your strengths can help reduce stress, anxiety, and sadness. People who practice these skills often feel more hopeful and supported.

The takeaway: it’s okay to have hard days, but finding small positives can help you get through them.

You can read the full article here.

Professional Development  

Scholarships Available for Early Childhood Professionals!

Are you currently working in early childhood education or pursuing a career in the field? Great news—scholarship opportunities are available to help you continue your education and professional growth!

These scholarships can support coursework, credential programs, and degree pathways designed to strengthen the early childhood workforce.

Investing in your education not only benefits your career but also enhances the quality of care and learning experiences for young children in our community.

For those interested, please reach out to Lcoresource@eccslv.org for local scholarship information.

For those working towards their master's or doctorate in Early Childhood take a look at this scholarship from The Denver Foundation. 

Stay Updated on Local Resources

This time of year, there are lots of community supports and opportunities popping up and we know it can be hard to keep track of them all.

While our newsletter goes out once a month, we often come across helpful resources online that we share on our Facebook page to keep things streamlined and easy to find.

Follow us here to stay informed!

https://www.facebook.com/eccslv