Teaching Tree Early Childhood Learning Center

A nonprofit organization

With 15 classrooms serving 400 children each year, Teaching Tree is Larimer County's largest provider of affordable, quality child care and education. We serve low- and middle-income families working toward self-sufficiency and promote their young children's school readiness.

Testimonials

Comments from parents responding to Teaching Tree's anonymous family survey in 2021:

"Teaching Tree gives us confidence that our children are being cared for and taught by qualified, caring, and kind people."

"Teachers listen to my child's needs and make sure that he is happy."

"[Teaching Tree] promotes a positive, safe, and nurturing learning environment."

"We love our child's teachers! They always greet us with smiles and seem to care about our son and his well being."

"Teaching Tree provides a relaxed, fun, and engaging environment. Teachers are accessible and easy to communicate with."

"Our children's teachers are amazing and kind. It's been tough the last year and everyone has shown their true colors. They take care of our kiddos and I greatly appreciate the willingness of all to go the extra mile to ensure safety."

"Our child is thriving under your care!"

"Teaching Tree has warm and caring teachers and hires teachers from diverse racial/ethnic groups. The administration is approachable and provides clear communication."

"Teachers are very friendly and obviously care about our children and how they are doing. We are always impressed with the routine, structure, hand-washing, safety of the school."

Mission

Teaching Tree's mission is to promote the healthy development of infants and young children in a culturally and economically diverse environment, ensuring a climate for individual growth, comfort, and security. Our activities and programs are designed to advance two foremost goals: (1) Children will achieve developmental milestones that will prepare them to enter kindergarten ready to learn, and (2) Families will receive affordable, quality child care and will work toward or maintain self-sufficiency.

Toward these ends, Teaching Tree provides a stimulating and supportive environment that helps each child develop his or her own skills according to their individual capabilities. We believe that children learn and grow best in an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust and when they are actively engaged in their environment. Therefore, we strive to provide a wide range of hands on activities throughout the day that will contribute to all areas of their growth and development.

Background Statement

Teaching Tree was founded as United Day Care Center in 1970, following a grassroots effort led by community groups to establish an affordable childcare center serving Larimer County's low- and middle income families. In 1988, we opened a second center in Loveland, and in 2010, our organization was rebranded as Teaching Tree Early Childhood Learning Center, to more accurately reflect our foremost goal of promoting children's growth, development, and readiness to learn.

Serving 400 families a year, Teaching Tree is one of Larimer County's only centers providing affordable care for families who are working toward self-sufficiency. Families pay according to a sliding fee scale based on family income and number of children enrolled at Teaching Tree. Our rates for full-fee-paying families are lower than those charged by for-profit centers.

Organization Data

Summary

Organization name

Teaching Tree Early Childhood Learning Center

other names

Teaching Tree Early Childhood Learning Center, Teaching Tree, United Day Care Center

Year Established

1970

Tax id (EIN)

84-0598116

Category

Education

Organization Size

Large Organization

Address

424 Pine Street
Fort Collins, CO 80524

Other

2109 Maple Dr.
Loveland, CO 80538

Service areas

Larimer County, CO, US

Phone

9704932628

Other

970-493-2628

Other

970-667-7240

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