Morgan County Partnership for Children and Families

08/31/2026

🌟 Meet Sydney Romero! 🌟
🏡 Nee Nee’s Tender Care – Wiggins, CO
This week, we’re excited to introduce Sydney Romero, owner of Nee Nee’s Tender Care in Wiggins! ❤️ Sydney creates a fun, nurturing environment where children can learn, explore, and enjoy plenty of time outdoors.
🌿 A Day at Nee Nee’s Tender Care
Children enjoy:
🌱 Gardening and caring for chickens
🐔 Spending as much time outdoors as the weather allows
🚶‍♀️ Walks to the park
🎶 Singing and dancing every day
🍎 Nutritious meals and lots of snacks! 😊
Sydney has been licensed for nearly one year, with Nee Nee’s Tender Care having been open for about 1.5 years. She brings a background in Child Protective Services and a strong commitment to continuing her professional growth.
🎓 Education & Professional Growth
• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services
• Background in Child Protective Services
• Currently working toward a Large Family Child Care Home license
• Working toward Colorado Shines Level 3
🧸 Current Opening!
Sydney currently has 1 opening for children ages 6 weeks through 10 years old.
📍 Located in Wiggins, Colorado
📞 Interested in learning more about Nee Nee’s Tender Care?
Contact Sydney at 970-747-6083.

For more information about child care or to receive a current list of licensed providers in Morgan County, contact:

Morgan County Partnership for Children and Families
📞 970-467-4957
🌐 morgancountypartnership.org

❤️ Thank you, Sydney, for the care, energy, and dedication you bring to the children and families in our community!

08/27/2026

🌟 Let’s Give Kathy One More Shoutout! 🌟

Thank you, Kathy, for all you do for the children and families in your care! ❤️

🏡 Provider Spotlight: Mary Rae “Kathy” Montoya – Lincoln Street Childcare

Kathy brings more than 28 years of child care experience to her work, including 8.5 years serving families in Fort Morgan and 20+ years in the Denver area.

At Lincoln Street Childcare, children enjoy:
🌱 Gardening and outdoor exploration
🚶‍♀️ Walks to the park and library
🎲 Games and activities
💃 Dancing and movement
🍽️ Delicious, home-cooked meals

🎓 Education & Experience
• Associate Degree in General Education and Medical Records Technology
• Colorado Shines Level 2
• 8.5 years serving families in Fort Morgan
• 20+ years of child care experience in the Denver area

👨‍👩‍👧 Kathy and her husband are both qualified to care for children, providing families with an additional familiar and supportive presence.

🧸 Current Openings: Kathy currently has 1–3 openings for children ages 11 months and up!

We appreciate the experience, dedication, and heart Kathy brings to the children and families she serves. Thank you for everything you do, Kathy! 🌟

📞 Interested in learning more?
Contact Morgan County Partnership for Children and Families at 970-467-4957 for more information or assistance finding child care.

08/27/2026

Licensed family child care home programs offer numerous benefits and are preferred by many families. Family child care homes are individually owned and provide early care and education in a provider’s residence. These programs are licensed and monitored by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood. https://cdec.colorado.gov/for-families/find-child-care

The Colorado Association of Family Child Care (CAFCC) created these documents to help educate families on the many benefits of Family Child Care Home (FCCH) programs. CAFCC encourages members to use these flyers to share with prospective clients and to help promote your business.

CAFCC advocates for the quality and safety of care and early education for children and home-based providers. CAFCC grants permission for individuals and organizations to share this graphic without any alterations or modifications. For more information about CAFCC, please visit https://www.coloradocafcc.org/

08/27/2026

Check out our CCHC-approved tips for a healthy start to the school year!

08/18/2026

It's back to school time!!! It's also a time when illnesses seem to pop up and spread like crazy. Be aware of what your child care program's illness policy is BEFORE symptoms show up!

Child care programs support families by caring for and educating children when adults must work or attend school. There are times when children should not attend child care though, such as when they are showing active symptoms of illness. According to the CDC, “Schools, parents, and caregivers often do not know what specific illness a child may have; rather, children present with symptoms. If someone has the following symptoms, they should stay home because their illness could affect their ability to participate in school and there is concern that they might spread an infection to staff and students.”

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has created the “How Sick Is Too Sick?” document (updated December 2024) for families and providers. This document offers guidance for routine decisions about when individuals should stay at home. It is a starting point for families to make decisions about keeping their children home.

Each child care program has their own specific illness policy that may be more stringent than this guide. Please be sure to review your child care program’s illness policy or speak to your provider before bringing children with symptoms of illness to care.

08/18/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/14kVYRVpyuW/

Thank you Commissioner Malone and El Pomar for supporting the work Morgan County Partnership for Children and Families is doing in Morgan County

Morgan County Commissioner Tim Malone, who serves on the El Pomar Foundation Northeast Regional Council, presented a $10,000 check for a grant to the Morgan County Partnership for Children and Families on July 31. He delivered the check on…

08/14/2026

🌟 Provider Spotlight: Meet Mary Rae “Kathy” Montoya! 🌟
🏡 Lincoln Street Childcare

This week, we’re excited to introduce Mary Rae “Kathy” Montoya, the provider behind Lincoln Street Childcare! 💕 Kathy brings years of experience and a love for creating fun, meaningful experiences for the children in her care.

🌿 Learning & Fun at Lincoln Street Childcare

Children enjoy:
🌱 Gardening and exploring the outdoors
🚶‍♀️ Walks to the park and library
🎲 Games and activities
💃 Dancing and movement
🍽️ Delicious, home-cooked meals

Kathy has been caring for children in Fort Morgan for 8.5 years and previously spent more than 20 years providing care in the Denver area. Her years of experience have helped her create a welcoming environment where children can learn, explore, and have fun!

🎓 Education & Experience
• Associate Degree in General Education and Medical Records Technology
• Colorado Shines Level 2
• 8.5 years serving families in Fort Morgan
• 20+ years of child care experience in the Denver area

👨‍👩‍👧 Kathy also shared that both she and her husband are qualified to care for the children, providing an additional familiar and supportive presence for the children and families they serve.

🧸 Current Openings
Kathy currently has 1–3 openings for children ages 11 months and up!

❤️ We are grateful for providers like Kathy who bring their experience, creativity, and heart to the important work of caring for young children in our community!

Interested in learning more about Lincoln Street Childcare or finding child care in Morgan County?

📞 Morgan County Partnership for Children and Families
970-467-4957

✨ Thank you, Kathy, for all you do for the children and families of Morgan County! ✨

08/12/2026

There are some exciting and big changes coming to the Colorado child care Quality Improvement System. Come to the CAFCC hosted presentation to learn more about some of the changes and what you can do now to be ready to participate in the QRIS interim rating to earn a level 3. There will be a question and answer period at the end of the presentation.

Quality Improvement System (QIS) Refresh
Learn about the Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) Interim Rating and Quality Improvement System (QIS) refresh process.
Presented by Julio Alas, Ed.D.; Professional Learning & Design Unit Manager, Division of Early Childhood Workforce

Thursday, August 13 6:00-7:15 pm

08/07/2026

🌟 One More Shoutout for Donna! 🌟

Provider Spotlight: Donna L. Araujo – Nana’s Kiddo Kastle

This week, we’re excited to shine the spotlight on Donna L. Araujo, owner of Nana’s Kiddo Kastle! 💕

For more than 26 years, Donna has been a licensed family child care provider, dedicating her time, heart, and experience to providing high-quality care and early learning opportunities for children in our community. Her commitment to children and families truly makes a difference!

🌟 Program Highlights
• Experienced Family Child Care Home License
• Early Head Start Program participant
• Uses Creative Curriculum to support children’s learning and development
• Partnered with Early Learning Ventures for the past six years
• Colorado Shines Level 4 provider

🎓 Education & Credentials
• Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential
• EQIT (Expanding Quality in Infant and Toddler Care) Certified
• High school education, several college courses, and hundreds of hours of professional development and training

🧸 Current Opening
Donna currently has 1 opening for a child 18 months to 2 years of age.

Donna’s passion for early childhood education shines through in everything she does. She shares:

💬 “I believe that child care is a career—not just a job—that you have to have your heart 100% in, or it doesn't work! Working with our community is often a blessing.”

❤️ Thank you, Donna, for 26+ years of dedication to the children and families of Morgan County! Your commitment to creating a nurturing, engaging, and high-quality environment where children can learn, grow, and thrive is truly appreciated.

Interested in learning more about Nana’s Kiddo Kastle or the available opening? Contact Donna at (970) 380-3743.

You can also contact Morgan County Partnership for Children and Families at (970) 467-4957 for more information or assistance finding child care.

🌟 Thank you, Donna, for all the love and dedication you pour into the children you serve! 🌟

07/24/2026

📚 Understanding Your Child Care Options 👶

When searching for child care, you may hear terms like licensed, qualified exempt, licensed exempt, Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN), and illegal care. Here's what each one means:

🏡 Licensed Child Care
Licensed child care providers have met Colorado licensing requirements designed to help keep children safe while supporting children's learning and development. They receive regular inspections, complete required training, maintain CPR/First Aid certifications, and undergo comprehensive background checks. Licensed care includes family child care homes, child care centers, and many preschools.

⭐ Qualified Exempt Providers
Qualified exempt providers are exempt from child care licensing but have met additional requirements to participate in programs such as Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP). They must complete background checks, health and safety training, and other state requirements to be approved as a qualified exempt provider.

⛪ Licensed Exempt Child Care
Some programs are legally exempt from child care licensing requirements. These may include certain school-operated programs, faith-based programs, or short-duration enrichment programs that meet specific state exemptions. Although they are exempt from licensing, they must still comply with the laws that apply to their type of program.

👨‍👩‍👧 Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) Care
FFN care is provided by someone the family knows and trusts, such as a grandparent, aunt, uncle, neighbor, or close family friend. FFN providers are typically not licensed but may have access to training, resources, and support to enhance the care they provide.

⚠️ Illegal Child Care
Illegal child care occurs when someone is caring for more children than Colorado law allows without the required child care license. Choosing legal child care helps ensure children are in an environment that meets important health and safety standards.

💙 Need help finding child care?
The Morgan County Partnership for Children and Families can help you understand your child care options, connect you with licensed providers, answer questions about qualified exempt and FFN care, and assist with the Colorado Universal Preschool (UPK) application.

📞 Call us at (970) 467-4957. We're here to help you find the best child care option for your family!