The goal of all those working under the Family Development Center umbrella is to provide parents with the supports they need to be the best parents they can be.
Discovery Learning Center 879-5973
Child Care Network 879-7330
Newborn Network 879-0977
Located at 2875 Village Drive (corner of Walton Creek Road and Village Drive)
Summary of Family Development Center’s History
Discovery Center was established in 1978, as a laboratory setting for Colorado Northwestern Community College, and later Colorado Mountain College's Early Childhood Education Certificate and Associate Degree Program. The school was housed in a vacant parsonage in Old Town. In 1984, CMC decided to terminate that program. Parents of Discovery Center children then formed a non-profit corporation - Steamboat Springs Discovery Learning Center.
The National Academy of Early Childhood Programs accredited DLC, in 1990. Accreditation is awarded after an extensive external professional review to verify compliance with the Academy's Criteria for High Quality Early Childhood Programs. Every three or four years, this same process is begun again to insure continued quality. In 1993, 1997, and 2001 DLC again was awarded accreditation status.
The Child Care Network was formed within this agency in 1992. In 1994, the Network also began to provide services to Grand and Jackson Counties, in 1995 to Moffat County and in 1996 to Rio Blanco County. In the fall of 1993, the DLC Board of Directors decided to move this organization towards a Family Development Center concept. And in 1994, the Newborn Network was added. In 1996, after a long search and planning process construction was completed on a new facility, which has allowed for the expansion of programs.
MORE ABOUT THE FAMILY DEVELOPMENT CENTER AND SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY
"There are not enough words to THANK YOU for all Discovery has done for Ben. Your patience, understanding, consistency and most of all LOVE have been invaluable. As he grows we all will see the results of these gifts," a parent, 1992.
Discovery Learning Center has been a presence in the Steamboat Springs community for 20 years. Begun as a laboratory school for the community college, it evolved into a parent cooperative non-profit and it is now the cornerstone of the Family Development Center. Center services include the Child Care Network, the Newborn Network, and Discovery Learning Center. The Center also serves as a home for short term or start-up early childhood projects.
"Since the Child Care Network started, parents now visit my facility asking the tough questions," a licensed family child care provider, 1993.
The Child Care Network provides free referral services for parents, and resources for child care providers and the community. A key component of the referral service is educating parents about the quality aspects they should be looking for when visiting providers. Helping parents choose good, safe care, providing employers with information on work and family issues, and offering training and educational opportunities for providers are the primary ways the Child Care Network impacts the over 200 families it serves a year.
"I don't know how I would have survived without my home visitor," a new parent, 1995.
The Newborn Network serves prenatal parents and parents of infants and toddlers by providing support systems, with either a trained volunteer home visitor or with Baby Get-Together play groups. A warmline is provided to respond to questions and provide support regarding everything from breast feeding to diaper rash. Newborn Network also sponsors "Dad" groups and parenting classes.
"Thanks for the gift of love and confidence you have given Ariel these past 3 years. She's off to a good start! We will miss you," a mom and dad, 1989.
Discovery Learning Center is a licensed child care program, as well as the only NAEYC accredited private early childhood center in Steamboat Springs. It provides preschool and kindergarten care and education for about 90 families a year. Discovery offers a scholarship program based upon need for 30 - 35% of the children who attend. The Center receives crisis calls on a regular basis from other professionals in the community who are desperate to find child care help for families in emergency or critical situations. At least one space is kept available to respond to these plights.
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