A small hand tightens around a parent’s finger before finally letting go. Across the room, children gather around colorful blocks while a teacher kneels beside them, inviting conversation and laughter. For many families, the first day of childcare comes with nerves, questions and a little uncertainty. At ABC Child Development Center, staff members hope that feeling doesn’t last long.
For parents, finding trustworthy childcare can feel overwhelming. Discovering a place that is not only focused on watching children but helping them learn new skills and build confidence for the future is exactly what ABC strives to provide. Their goal goes beyond supervision; they aim to create an environment of support, security and growth that helps future generations succeed.
ABC Child Development Center is a high-quality childcare center with multiple locations across Northern Colorado. As a multigenerational organization, they focus on supporting their community not only inside the classroom but outside of it as well.
ABC has built a strong reputation through play-based learning, helping children develop foundational skills in reading, writing and mathematics that support future educational success.
Throughout the day, children strengthen social skills through games, group activities, recess and free time. Well-trained staff members help guide those interactions and create opportunities for growth.
Lacey Rubick, Director of Corporate Support, said, “We believe in teacher-child interactions; it’s really important. Children need that socialization piece and to feel comfortable.”
Activities throughout the center are designed to build skills that support future learning, including cause and effect, coordination and logical thinking. During playtime, children are not simply entertaining themselves. A tower of blocks becomes an early lesson in counting and problem solving while songs become opportunities for movement, memory and communication.
“I think the most important part within early childhood is social-emotional learning, explained
Rubick. “If children don’t know how to be in a group setting with others while building trust, they’re not able to start learning in the first place.”
Teachers move throughout the room, guiding conversations and encouraging curiosity in a safe and trusting environment. A child stacking blocks may be asked how many pieces are left or what shape could make the tower stronger. Nearby, another group follows music through claps and hand motions while practicing listening and memory skills. What appears to be ordinary play quickly becomes opportunities to build confidence, communication and early educational foundations.
Painting projects are not only creative outlets but opportunities for children to recognize colors, connect ideas and express how they interpret the world around them.
These learning experiences are paired with laughter filling the room and friendships forming naturally.
“Our biggest philosophy is that they learn through play. That’s why our room is set up for different learning environments.”
There is intention behind every activity, creating a fun and engaging environment that helps children feel more prepared when transitioning into kindergarten and later grade levels. They are now more capable of communicating their feelings and have success in the education system early on.
Behind those daily classroom moments is an intentional effort to maintain quality and consistency.
ABC has been awarded a Level 5 rating through Colorado Shines, a quality rating and improvement system for childcare programs. Areas of evaluation include safety, learning environments, professional development, family partnerships and continuous improvement.
Receiving the highest rating level reflects ABC’s continued investment in quality services and education. Parents may not see every assessment, training session or quality benchmark happening behind the scenes, but they often notice the results — children entering confidently, routines becoming easier and families feeling comfortable asking questions. Those everyday moments are where long-term quality becomes visible. Creating a safe and consistent support system is important to building a strong foundation for developing children. Staff members continue training and coaching opportunities to strengthen their work and grow alongside changing needs.
As a multigenerational family-owned business, ABC believes those relationships extend beyond childcare.
Accessing childcare can be difficult for many families due to cost, availability and changing community needs. Maintaining consistency while navigating those challenges is something ABC continues to prioritize.
“What sets us apart is focusing on quality,” Rubick said. “We want to continue investing in that and show families everything we’ve earned.”
Supporting the community remains central to the organization’s mission. Resources are provided when families are in need, and scholarship opportunities have helped some families gain access to childcare services. ABC believes every family deserves a strong support system.
“If a parent is struggling, even with finding a doctor, we are there to help them,” Rubick said.
“Calling United Way with them if they don't feel comfortable and reaching out to caseworkers who can help. That’s really big for us.”
Partnerships with organizations such as Greeley Family House have helped connect families with additional resources and support during times of need.
Rubick said, “A lot of parents could be struggling, especially new parents. They don’t know where to go. They don’t know where to turn. It’s hard to be a new parent and we get that.”
Many of the resources provided are made available to all families. Rather than waiting for parents to ask for help, ABC tries to reduce that hesitation by making support accessible from the beginning.
“People can just use what they want, but at least they have the resources,” Rubick said.
Though ABC Child Development Center has continued to grow over the years, leadership says their focus remains on growing internally rather than expanding into new regions. Building relationships continues to be the foundation of their success.
Being part of the community for so long has given them a strong understanding of how to best support local families. That experience now guides their ongoing efforts to strengthen connections with school district boards and other childcare organizations.
“We have generations after generations bringing their kids. That just shows how big we are in the community and we continue to grow with it.”
Children who once spent their early years at ABC are now returning as parents themselves. What once started as a place for learning has become a relationship that continues across generations.
An anxious child walking through the door for the first time may quickly settle into the environment around them. Children are encouraged to learn, explore and grow in a space designed to support each stage of development.
Every day at ABC Child Development Center, lessons extend beyond letters and numbers.
Through play, relationships and support, children build confidence, curiosity and resilience that reach far beyond the classroom.
For ABC, that work extends to families as well.
“We are child care, but we are here for them too,” said Rubick. “We just want everyone and every child to succeed, because they are our future.”
“Our biggest philosophy is that they learn through play. That's why our room is set up for different learning environments.”
“We have generations after generations bringing their kids. That just shows how big we are in the community and we continue to grow with it.”