A strong community starts with strong families, and strong families begin with strong early childhood support systems. Eagle County understands this, which is why leaders from government, education, and nonprofit sectors have come together to develop and refine a comprehensive Early Childhood System Roadmap. This roadmap isn’t just a plan—it’s a commitment to ensuring that every child in our community has the resources and support they need to thrive.

In 2016, Eagle County Government and Eagle County Schools assessed early childhood services in the region to identify gaps, prioritize needs, and implement solutions for families with young children. Eight years later, the updated roadmap highlights the progress made and the continued need. Vail Valley Foundation and the Town of Avon are working to address this issue through the new facility in Avon, and there is still work to be done.

Approximately 3,400 children under five call Eagle County home. These kids—and their families—rely on a network of early childhood services, including health care, childcare, education, and family support programs. The success of these programs is due to collaboration among organizations such as Early Childhood Partners, Eagle County Public Health, Early Childhood Network, and YouthPower365.

The roadmap identifies key areas critical to a thriving early childhood system. Whole person health and well-being ensure children have access to healthcare, mental health support, early intervention programs, and nutrition services. Family support and education provide parents with family resource centers and home visitation programs to raise resilient children.

High-quality early education and childcare are vital to development. Programs such as Universal Preschool (UPK), Head Start, and mobile preschools help build a strong foundation for lifelong learning. Economic mobility supports families through job training, financial counseling, housing assistance, and childcare affordability initiatives. Investing in the workforce by attracting and retaining early childhood professionals through stipends, scholarships, and professional development builds a sustainable, high-quality early childhood workforce.

While progress has been made, challenges remain. The lack of licensed infant and toddler care slots, insufficient public transportation, and high childcare costs continue to present barriers. Expanding financial assistance, increasing pay for early childhood professionals, and offering non-traditional childcare hours are critical next steps. Eagle County is also investing in mental health services, insurance accessibility, and community-based breastfeeding support to ensure all children have a healthy start.

The early years of a child’s life are the foundation for their future success—and for our community’s success. Strengthening early childhood services invests in Eagle County’s long-term economic vitality, workforce sustainability, and overall well-being. Supporting policies and initiatives that make childcare more accessible, affordable, and high-quality is essential. Through increased public-private partnerships, local funding, and state-level advocacy, we can shape the future of Eagle County’s youngest residents.

Our early childhood system is strong, but it can be stronger. That’s why we invite you to join the conversation. On April 3, the Vail Valley Partnership and Vail Symposium, in collaboration with early childhood experts and community leaders, is hosting Crawling Behind: Addressing the Early Childcare Crisis. This event will explore the challenges families and providers face and discuss actionable solutions to improve early childhood care in our community. It’s an opportunity to engage with experts, share experiences, and help drive meaningful change.

Let’s continue working together to ensure every child in Eagle County can thrive. Register today and be part of this critical discussion.

Chris Romer is president & CEO of Vail Valley Partnership, 3-time national chamber of the year. Learn more at VailValleyPartnership.com