A department says goodbye: Child Care Innovations is leaving Red Rocks Community College

The Child Care Innovations department, responsible for training and supporting child care providers, is forming a new nonprofit after more than 30 years of being housed at the Lakewood campus of Red Rocks Community College.  

The new independent nonprofit is also named Child Care Innovations, and this month is making the move to its new Lakewood site. 

Their services grew significantly in their time at the college. It started with a team of six just offering continuing education for child care providers. Today Child Care Innovations operates two apprenticeships, professional development programs meant to improve access to quality early childhood care, and is contracted by the state to license facilities, handle investigations and much more.  

“We really see this as a springboard,” said Patricia Bolton, Director of Child Care Innovations. “It will give us some flexibility and the ability to be nimble in terms of our advocacy work in Jeffco.” 

The new structure will allow Child Care Innovations to continue to expand, including adding a new resource center. The Kristinia Matthias Early Childhood Resource Center will be available to early childhood professionals as well as parents as a place to look up resources, use printers, check out curriculum, toys and other resources that meet high standards for learning. The new location is also expected to be easier to access.  

Red Rocks Community College will continue to partner with the nonprofit in the future.  

“We are incredibly proud of the contributions the Child Care Innovations team has made toward advancing early childhood education and are excited about the opportunities the new structure will provide.  We’re confident they will continue making a positive impact on our communities. As partners, we look forward to collaborating on future opportunities” said Bryan Bryant, Vice President of Administrative Services.
 

The team’s work evolved multiple times over the years 

Under the leadership of Bolton, and in partnership with Red Rocks Community College, the small team grew to more than 30 employees who advocate for creating early childhood learning experiences — some even before birth.  

“All the research tells us the early years are important,” Bolton said. “It’s important that every community has access to high quality child care. Kids enter schools better prepared.” 

In the early 1990s, Colorado reformed its welfare system. Early Childhood Councils, then called Consolidated Child Care Pilots were part of Colorado's response to welfare reform, knowing that as more people were being required to work, they would need quality, dependable, child care and related support services. 

Initially Bolton was one of the leaders in the industry who advocated at the legislature for Colorado to fund early childhood councils across the state.  

Legislators told her that would mean fewer funds directed to her team, but Bolton said she recognized the need, even then. And Red Rocks Community College was behind her. 

The state started child care pilots and then expanded them to the 36 early child care councils that exist today, covering every region of the state. 

The councils were meant to ensure collaboration between different groups responsible for child care so that there could be an easier point of access for parents looking for child care. They also resulted in universal standards for care and for the qualifications providers need. The councils are also in charge of coordinating early childhood services, and many oversee the rollout of the state’s free preschool initiatives. 

Bolton serves as Executive Director of the Triad Early Childhood Council which serves Jefferson, Clear Creek, and Gilpin counties, and overlaps with Child Care Innovations. 

Bolton’s team maintains a directory of early child care options that is used by 211 when parents call to ask for guidance on child care centers. 

When there are complaints about an issue at an early childhood center, Child Care Innovations may also do some of the investigation. They also help coach instructors, daycare providers, and home child care workers, so that they can better educate the children in their care. Sometimes, that means helping them adapt lessons or activities for different disabilities they might encounter.  

Child Care Innovations also administers apprenticeship programs for early childhood teachers as well as Home Visitors, and a scholarship for obtaining Child Development Associate credentials (CDA). 

Bolton’s transformational leadership has been key 

Before her work as an industry leader and advocate, Bolton ran a child care home herself for almost 20 years.  

Now when she hires staff, she looks for those who have a background in child care so that she knows they will understand the providers they work with. 

Staff that work for Bolton describe her as a dedicated, and hard-working leader.  

“She’s patient and kind and I feel honored to be able to work with her,” said Kimberly Sowell, one of the licensing specialists. “She has so much experience and knowledge.” 

Bolton was recognized in 2022 as the Administrator of the Year at Red Rocks Community College.  

At the time, she was described as someone who worked “tirelessly to promote the department, the college, and all projects in the community.” 

In 2015, she was also named Health Champ of the Year by Colorado Community Media.  

And in 2021, the Buell Foundation's report on Early Childhood Councils highlighted the Triad Early Childhood Council’s close relationship with Red Rocks Community College. 

“The close connection to Red Rocks Community College also allows Triad Early Childhood Council direct access and connections to the college’s Early Childhood Professions programming, which enables the Council to better support a pipeline of qualified early childhood professionals,” the report stated. 

“Pat is so passionate about young children and about the community and seeing successful programs to help them,” said Julia Brink, a QI Program Coordinator. “She doesn’t just tell you what to do. That's huge. It’s never just what Pat wants. It’s always about our community.” 

Moving forward, Child Care Innovations will be applying for new funding sources and looking for new ways to support child care improvements.