Supporting Quality Early Care and Learning Programs  

Colorado Shines is the quality rating and improvement system for all of Colorado’s licensed early care and learning programs serving children from birth to 5.

Colorado Shines exists to:

• Rate the quality of Colorado’s licensed child care and preschool programs
• Help programs continue to improve the quality of services they provide
• Show families a program is committed to quality 

Colorado Shines is a free resource for programs, early childhood professionals, and families.

Not licensed yet? Read more about licensing requirements.

Quality Helps Children Start Strong

 As an early childhood professional, you have a big impact on the children in your program.
 
Children’s brains develop very quickly in the first few years of life. That’s why the experiences and relationships that young children have -- at home and in child care -- are so important. The quality of a child’s early experiences can impact their development for a lifetime.
 
A Colorado Shines rating demonstrates your commitment to quality. It communicates to families that your program is a safe place where their children will learn and thrive.