Early Childhood Education

Project History & Feasibility Study

In 2021, the Town Council adopted a goal to “Explore an enhanced use of the Little Red Schoolhouse to provide an improved and enlarged childcare/early learning facility.”

Following that direction, staff issued an RFP and the team of Brodsky Research and Consulting, Metrix IQ, and Common Good Consulting was hired to conduct an early childcare needs assessment and financial analysis for the Town of Snowmass Village with the primary focus on the Little Red School House property.

The project team has extensive experience in early childhood needs analysis and financial modeling work and has worked to help build stronger early childhood systems locally in the Roaring Fork Valley, statewide in Colorado, and nationally. The needs assessment component has explored the greater context in which expanded early childhood education in Snowmass Village will occur. This has required an understanding of the needs and interests of the stakeholders involved; of the financial realities of providing high-quality childcare in the area, including available public sources of funding; and of the capacity and need for early childhood education. This information has been gathered through a combination of qualitative data collection (interviews and/or focus groups) and quantitative data collection.

The needs assessment was completed in early 2022, and now the site analysis has been completed with insights into capital improvements. An operational budget analysis was produced to help identify a financially sustainable business model for a childcare operation in the community. This business model will consider the realities of providing high-quality care, including true costs to deliver care and likely revenue streams.

Woody Creek Kids, LLC. operates out of the Little Red School House to offer early childcare education in the community, and it is the only year-round childcare facility within Snowmass Village. The facility includes two separate classrooms at 4598 Owl Creek Road, Snowmass Village, CO 81615. The premises and main facility is owned by the Town and leased to Woody Creek Kids. Childcare is offered to children aged from infant to pre-kindergarten.

Little Red Schoolhouse Expansion Project

Building on the early childhood education studies completed in 2022, the Town selected the design team of Land + Shelter and Alan Ford Architects to design an expanded childcare facility located at the Little Red Schoolhouse. The design team was selected through a competitive bid process, based on their experience specific to the development of childcare centers.

Design is currently underway, incorporating input from the Town, Woody Creek Kids, and families using the facility.

The Project Team presented the project to the Town Council on January 21, 2025, as part of the Special Review process. The Town Council approved this item during this meeting. Materials from this meeting are available below:

The Project Team presented the project to the Planning Commission on December 4, 2024, as part of the Special Review process. At this meeting, the Planning Commission recommended the project for approval. Materials from this meeting are available below:

Staff presented an update on the project to the Town Council on August 5, 2024. The information presented included finalized design documents for the project, reflecting feedback received previously. At this meeting, the Town Council directed staff to prepare an application for development. Materials from this meeting are available below:

Staff presented an update on the project to the Town Council on May 6, 2024. The information presented included an overview of the schematic design for the project, reflecting construction pricing and feedback received from the Council and its advisory boards. Additional feedback was received at this meeting to be incorporated into the design. Materials from this meeting are available below:

February 12, 2024 Update to Town Council

Staff presented an update on the project to the Town Council on February 12, 2024. The information presented included an overview of the schematic design for the project. Staff is still collecting feedback from stakeholders and pursuing pricing. Materials are available below:

November 13, 2023 Update to Town Council

Staff presented an update on the project to the Town Council on November 13, 2023. The information presented included a programming update and progress update for the Council. Materials are available below: