Access Early Education Foundation was selected as the facility operator. The organization, founded by Jennifer Knott, is focused on providing early childhood education to communities throughout the Western Slope.
Building a
better tomorrow
Addressing critical community needs
The Eagle River Valley is considered a childcare desert, with nearly half of the valley’s early childhood education and development needs going unmet. Many families must rely on informal, unlicensed solutions through friends, family, and neighbors, while others have no viable options at all. The Vail Valley Foundation is uniquely positioned to bring together local government, businesses, and individuals to alleviate one of our community’s most pressing issues.
A historic groundbreaking
In June, the VVF and Town of Avon gathered with partners, donors, and supporters to officially break ground on the new Early Learning Center. The groundbreaking ceremony included remarks from key stakeholders and a ceremonial turning of the soil, generating excitement for the future of early childhood education and development in the community. The facility is expected to be operational by fall 2026. Through our Empowering Possibility Capital Campaign, the project will also include a fund for tuition and staff housing assistance to ensure attraction and retention of qualified employees while providing accessibility for working families across varied income levels.
Building a sustainable future through partnerships
This vision has become reality through the collaboration of many local and regional partners. Zehren & Associates designed the facility, RA Nelson is building it, and Access Early Education Foundation will be the operator. The Town of Avon leased the land to the VVF for 50 years and provided significant financial support, while Eagle County also contributed crucial funding. Dozens of additional partners and organizations have helped make this project possible. The all-electric facility will feature progressive sustainability elements including photovoltaic solar panels and inverters donated by Active Energies Solar, battery storage capacity provided by the Town of Avon, as well as electric vehicle chargers.
BY THE NUMBERS
BY THE NUMBERS
BY THE NUMBERS
-
13,595
Square feet of space
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2.9
Acres of land
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3
Playgrounds
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12
Classrooms (3 infant, 3 toddler, 4 pre-K, 2 flex)
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165
Approximate number of children who will receive high-quality early childhood education
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0-5
Ages served during the most important years of early learning
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16+
Families will receive critical financial support
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50
Years on the land lease from the Town of Avon
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8+
Local partners contributing to the project
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$700,000
Estimated economic impact for Eagle County (Sept. 1, 2024 - Aug. 31, 2025)
2025 Progress
2025 Progress
“This project could not happen without the leadership and commitment of the Vail Valley Foundation. We are extremely grateful for Avon’s collaboration with the VVF and welcome this very important and much needed facility to our town.”
"We are not just building a center. We are building, I believe, a model for the future — a model that will support working families, strengthen our community and our economy, and will deliver high-quality early childhood education that will be financially sustainable and accessible to all.”
“[We] hear from our constituents all the time that the cost of living and the availability of childcare is one of the reasons why they can’t stay in this valley. I know the Vail Valley Foundation has been working incredibly hard to solve that problem, and this is what that looks like.”
Groundbreaking ceremony photos
Groundbreaking ceremony photos
Construction progress photos
Construction progress photos
