Custer County Considered
a Childcare Desert

   by Reggie Foster
On these brisk October mornings, the parking lot outside the Custer County Early Childhood Education Center (CCECEC) fills with the sound of car doors shutting, backpacks rustling, and little feet hurrying to their classroom. For many families, this drop-off is more than a routine; it’s a lifeline.
Just a few years ago, that lifeline didn’t exist. Parents scrambled for options, often piecing together care between relatives, neighbors, or reduced work hours. At the time, Custer County had only 15 full-day childcare slots for more than 250 children under the age of five. Of those, only four slots served infants and toddlers. That meant fewer than one in ten children had access to care. By every definition, Custer County was and is a “childcare desert.”

When COVID-19 struck in 2020, the two home-based providers, Willene Squire and Robin Gaide, had to close. The impact rippled across the community. Teachers and school staff who relied on childcare suddenly had few to no options. Many had to stay home, leaving the district short-staffed. “That experience made it clear,” said Stacy Terrill, Custer County Kids Council Coordinator. “Even if you think you don’t need childcare, someone you depend on does. When it’s not available, the whole community feels it.”
That crisis sparked action. The Custer County Kids Council, the Custer County School District, and several nonprofit partners came together to open the Custer County Early Childhood Education Center. The center created an infant room (5 slots), a toddler room (8 slots), and a full-day preschool room (16 slots). Combined with the half-day preschool program. (32 slots split between mornings and afternoons.) families finally had some choices.
The center has continued to grow and is today a place of laughter, engaging activities, and first friendships. This past summer, it expanded by moving one classroom into the main school building, adding six more full-day slots. The Center also benefits from Colorado’s Universal Preschool Program, which funds part- and full-day options for four year olds.
According to the Center’s Director Laurie Yarger, “Last year we (the CCECEC) were recognized by Colorado’s Quality Rating program as a level 4, solidifying our program as a high quality.” A Level 4 ranking is not easily earned in Colorado and everyone on the team appears very proud to have achieved it in such a short time. The CCECEC has also created an earlier connection between families and the school district, helping children transition smoothly into kindergarten.
Still, the need for childcare remains. Willene Squire retired leaving just one home childcare provider for local families. Today, Custer County has an estimated 275 children under five—and still far fewer childcare slots than needed. Fridays remain uncovered, as both the center and certified home care provider Robin Gaide are closed. In the summer, the shortage is even more severe: only nine slots are available for the entire county. Custer County is no longer just a retirement destination. Young families are moving in and they are eager to make a life here. Without enough childcare, many parents face hard choices which trickle down and can leave the entire community to feel the strain.
Childcare, local leaders emphasize, is not a luxury. Childcare is essential infrastructure, as important to the county’s future as roads, water, and safety. “We want to give every child the best start,” says the Early Childhood Education Center team. “But we can’t do it alone. Our community must continue to work together to expand access to childcare so families can thrive in Custer County.”