Childcare Programs

Starting September 2023, the Childcare Tuition Assistance program has become county-wide option for all living and/or working families in Summit County. The countywide tuition assistance program, Summit First Steps, assist families with the cost of childcare for children ages 0 to 3 years old. Summit First Steps is funded through a partnership agreement between the Towns of Breckenridge, Frisco, Silverthorne, Dillon, Blue River and Summit County. The program is administered by Early Childhood Options, a local non-profit.

How to Apply for Summit First Steps

The application is opened every May to families that fit the following criteria:

• Live and/or work in Summit County.
• Have at least one member of the household is required to work 30+ hours per week for a business located in and serving Summit County.
• To access assistance for a full time childcare schedule (4 or 5 days/ week), both parents must work 30+ hours / week and have a combined household income under 180% of the local AMI (Area Median Income)
  • Below $175,500 for a family of two 
  • Below $197,460 for a family of three 
  • Below $219,240 for family of four
  • Below $236,880 for a family of five 
• Self-employed applicants must maintain an average income that exceeds their business expenses and must show that his/her taxable gross income divided by the number of hours of care used for the employment activity equals at least the current Federal Minimum Wage.
• Household assets do not exceed $225k (excludes primary residents, college funds and retirement funds).
• Have children (ages birth through the 3-year olds, two years before they enter Kindergarten), who attend a licensed childcare program in Summit County.

If your family has a qualified change outside of the regular enrollment period (such as move to the area, new baby, change in work status, new childcare spot, etc.) please contact Early Childhood Options with questions to see if you are eligible to apply mid cycle. 

How to Apply

• Create an online account with  Survey Monkey Apply
• If you cannot access the application online, please contact Early Childhood Options to make arrangements for an appointment. 
• Collect all the required documents prior to completing your application, refer to the checklist in the button below.
• Submit your completed application with all required documentation. 
• Please remove your Social Security numbers from all supporting documentation by redacting or marking through this information with a black marker.

Please note

• There is no guarantee that a family who meets the eligibility factors will be awarded tuition assistance. There is no guarantee that a family who received tuition assistance one year will receive tuition assistance or the same award the next year.
• Applications will be confidentially reviewed. 
• Applicants will be notified of potential award in the order that completed applications are received. 
• Any personal information, including financial information, submitted Early Childhood Options in conjunction with a Summit First Steps Application will be used for the purpose of reviewing and rating applications, tracking program outcomes, evaluating eligibility, and calculating awards and will be subject to the confidentiality polices as provided in the Program Guidelines. By providing the information to Early Childhood Options you are authorizing the use of this information for these limited purposes.

Other Tuition Assistance Programs

Summit Pre-K Program (managed by Early Childhood Options) was established when Summit County voters approved measure 1A in 2018. The Summit Pre-K Program (SPK) helps offset the high cost of quality preschool for all Summit County 3 and 4-year olds in the year before they enter Kindergarten.  Many local households qualify for this incredible program, in addition to Summit First Steps Program. More information, including how to apply is available at EarlyChildhoodOptions.org.

Town of Frisco No School, After School, & Summer Camp Programs

The Town of Frisco provides safe and engaging kids’ activities for youth and has several popular options that meet the needs of many different children from ages 5-12. 

The Town offer a variety of youth programs on days when school is out or after school that reflect our outdoorsy mountain town spirit, with something for nearly every child. From week-long camps for kids during school breaks and summer, to after school programs that teach new skills and push the imagination, there’s bound to be something for the kids in your life to enjoy.