Pepper said Colorado has very high standards for licensed daycare providers. The process takes a minimum of four months to complete, and pre-licensing training wasn't available anywhere in Chaffee County. Pepper signed up a local emergency medical technician to teach those courses. Pepper also walked candidates through the paperwork process, which includes fingerprinting and an FBI check. Once certified, providers then must take an additional six hours of coursework annually to maintain the license.
Pepper offers that coursework locally, as well.
Additionally, Social Services in Chaffee County has organized a team, which includes Pepper, to complete a countywide assessment of family and employer needs for childcare. That information will be the basis for further planning. This truly has been a team effort. For more information, contact your local Colorado State University Cooperative Extension office . Go to top of this page.