Building a Brighter Start

The sound of shovels hitting soil marked a hopeful local moment this past June, as the Vail Valley Foundation (VVF) officially broke ground on the Avon Early Childhood Education & Development Center — a milestone project that aims to ease the Valley’s ongoing childcare shortage and support local working families.

Located on East Beaver Creek Boulevard in the Village (at Avon), the 13,590-square-foot, all-electric facility will provide high-quality early learning for ages 0 to 5 when it opens in fall 2026.

“It is rewarding to officially break ground on this transformative project that will help address the critical childcare shortage in our valley,” says Mike Imhof, president of the Vail Valley Foundation. “After months of planning and collaboration with our partners, we are looking forward to bringing this vision to life.”

Designed by Zehren and Associates and built by RA Nelson, the building will feature photovoltaic solar panels and battery storage — sustainable touches that align with Avon’s environmental values and community-forward planning.

The project is a partnership between the Town of Avon and the Vail Valley Foundation. The Town of Avon leased the land (zoned for educational use) to VVF for 50 years at just $1 and contributed about $800,000 in financial incentives. Imhof says Avon’s leadership saw the incredible value in dedicating this property to childcare. “They were eager to engage with us to help address this critical community issue, and we are eternally grateful for their support.”

The center also marks a new chapter for the Vail Valley Foundation. Long known for advancing arts, athletics and education, the organization added a new mission pillar, “Community,” in 2023.

Operated by the Access Early Education Foundation, enrollment at the center will include a mix of employer-sponsored and open-market spots, supported by a tuition assistance fund to help families across income levels. A staff housing assistance fund will also be created to attract and retain qualified educators.

“Immediately, this facility will serve 165 families with high-quality, affordable childcare — a critical need in what is currently a childcare desert where nearly half of all Valley parents cannot find adequate care,” says Imhof. “Many families currently rely on informal, unlicensed arrangements or have no viable childcare solution. This facility is one step toward closing that gap.”

Long-term, he adds, the center is designed as a model for future facilities throughout the Valley.

“Our goal is to replicate this successful public-private partnership approach, working with local businesses, government, private partners and individuals to develop additional high-quality childcare centers,” Imhof shares. “We are starting in Avon and hope when opportunities arise to continue to expand these much-needed resources down Valley.”

With construction underway and collaboration at its core, the Avon Early Childhood Education & Development Center is more than a building — it’s a promise of a stronger start for local families.