Early Child Care & Education
We believe all children deserve a strong start in life.
In Metro Denver, there are 77,000 more children under the age of 6 than there are child care spots.¹ Mile High United Way is committed to creating an environment that fosters affordable, high-quality early care and education where our youngest learners enter school ready to thrive in kindergarten and beyond.
¹ Denver Business Journal
How We Support Early Child Care & Education
211 Help Center
United for Families
Community Investments
Impact At a Glance
parents and children served through our United for Families program.
home visits to families, helping parents support their child’s school readiness at home.
child care slots created at the Tamara M. Sparks Early Learning Center
Planting Seeds For a Child's Future
As a toddler, Levi was shy and rarely spoke. His mother, Dulce, worried she’d done something wrong. Three years later, Levi is thriving in school, in part thanks to our Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) program. HIPPY is our evidence-based program to help parents and caregivers be their child’s first teacher. Once a week, our staff member Nancy provided Dulce with resources and support to prepare Levi for a lifetime of learning and success.
“Levi is more open and friendlier now. Before, he never wanted to talk, but now, he’ll raise his hand saying, ‘I know the answer! ... His change is a miracle to me.”
— Dulce
More STORIES
Our HIPPY program is one way we’re addressing the early learning shortage and helping create pathways to success for children.
During our first Women United Village, more than 100 families received supplies to help care for their little ones, including diapers, strollers, car seats, and more.
On June 12, 2021 Mile High United Way was thrilled to celebrate the first-ever graduation ceremony for HIPPY students and their parents.
Molly Yost, Mile High United Way’s Director of Early Childhood Initiatives, shares how our United for Families initiative is moving the needle on school readiness in Metro Denver.
Invest in Mile High United Way
Help children in our community get a strong start in life with a high-quality early education.