Cozy Cubs Preschool

08/23/2026

We’re looking for a few new friends!

08/23/2026

We are excited to begin a Book Drive to collect new and gently used books for children and youth in our community! 📚❤️ If you have children’s or young adult books that you’re ready to pass along, we would love to give them a new home where they can inspire a love of reading.

If you have books to donate, please reach out to one of our Board members for collection information. Thank you for helping us spread the joy of reading throughout our community!

Please reach out to us on messenger or at [email protected] for discussing donation pick-ups.

08/17/2026

We are worrying about the wrong thing when it comes to “kindergarten readiness.”

Many adults are concerned with whether a child can read, write, and meet "academic expectations" by the time kindergarten begins. Those questions feel responsible. They are also incomplete.

The more important question is this: Am I willing to compromise my child’s ability to regulate, attend, and remain emotionally available for learning in exchange for early academic exposure that research shows does not improve (and can undermine) long-term outcomes?

Kindergarten has shifted from a developmental bridge to an academically intensified environment. Increased sitting, constant direction-following, early benchmarks, and reduced play are now treated as normal. Developmentally, they are not.

Self-regulation, attention, working memory, and cognitive flexibility are still wiring in early childhood. These systems develop through movement, play, autonomy, and co-regulation—not through pressure or performance demands.

When academics are pushed before these systems are ready, stress increases, regulation stays external, and learning becomes fragile. Any early gains fade, while the long-term costs show up as disengagement, weaker executive functioning, and poorer academic persistence.

This is why research on delayed kindergarten entry consistently finds stronger self-regulation, attention, and emotional readiness for learning. Not because children missed academics, but because their brains were given time to build the foundation learning depends on.

08/06/2026

What children need most during the school day. In order. 📐

Notice what sits at the base. Not circle time. Not worksheets. Not calendar drills or assessments.

When physiological needs are met and a child feels safe, connected, and trusted, their nervous system can actually settle enough to learn. Not before.

Then child-led play and outdoor time whenever possible. We would actually encourage merging these two whenever possible (child-led play outside), but recognize that outdoor accessibility looks different depending on your setting and community). Then teacher-guided experiences. The smallest slice for a reason.

Notice what isn't on here at all: Circle time. Worksheets. Calendar drills. Assessments. Flashcards. Not an accident.

The order matters more than we were taught. When children are dysregulated and disengaged, the answer is almost always found at the base of this pyramid, not at the top.

07/11/2026

Caregivers who operate outside the law will face legal consequences — but more importantly, they are putting children at risk.

Watch for red flags that might signal an unsafe or poor quality child care setting, such as:

A lack of transparency or providers avoiding questions
Providers requiring cash payments
Asking that a family call/text before coming to pick their child up
Rotating or untrained caregivers
Unsanitary or unsafe environment
Poor communication
Changing locations of care
No clear policy on discipline or emergency procedures
If you think someone is offering illegal child care or if you're worried about safety, call the Colorado Department of Early Childhood at 303-866-5958 to make a confidential report.

Providing child care that requires a license without a license is illegal and those responsible will face legal consequences. Download the fact sheet below for more information.
(Information taken from https://cdec.colorado.gov/for-providers/safe-child-care-tools)

06/18/2026

Play is so powerful!!

05/30/2026

Motivational Monday-

05/11/2026

🩷🩷🩷

Recognizing A Day Without Child Care (May 11, 2026) is crucial as it illustrates to families, employers, and legislators the challenges that arise when parents are left without child care. Colorado Association of Family Child Care (CAFCC) members play a vital role in providing a safe, nurturing, and home-like environment for children while their families are at work. As we contemplate the implications of a day without child care, it becomes evident that child care is not merely a service; it is an essential foundation that supports and strengthens our communities. While the national movement aims to spotlight the critical need for accessible child care by closing for the day, we recognize that many of our providers are committed to supporting families by staying open. The 2026 CAFCC focus is “Days WITH Child Care”.

05/11/2026

Cozy Cubs Preschool is OPEN and honors the Day Without Childcare Movement. Without us, the workforce grinds to a halt.

On May 11, 2026, as we stand in solidarity with the “Day Without Child Care” movement, we also want to honor the incredible dedication of licensed home-based child care providers. Your hard work and dedication ensures that parents can continue to participate in their jobs and communities while children are loved, educated, and well cared for in a home enviroment.

CAFCC is deeply concerned about the rate of decline of Colorado's licensed family child care home (FCCH) programs. The number of licensed home-based providers in Colorado has steadily declined since 2016, falling from 2,294 providers in 2016 to 1,344 providers in 2025 — a loss of 950 providers, or about 41%. If action is not taken soon, Colorado families may one day no longer have the option to find licensed home-based child care programs for their family.

CAFCC is encouraging all members to raise their voices, share their stories, and demand action is taken to support the sustainability and growth of licensed family child care homes.

(Data from August monthly Licensed Child Care Facilities files from Colorado Department of Early Childhood 2016 through 2025.)

05/05/2026

Cozy Cubs Preschool is now booking tours for Fall Preschool!

Cozy Cubs Preschool is an in home licensed in the heart of Windsor Co. We value play based, whole child learning, as well as fostering Kindergarten Readiness and independence in all areas of life. Preschool meets Monday - Friday, 8:30 5:00. Class meets year round, with breaks as listed on our calendar.

Enrollment requirements - student must be 3 years of age or older, potty trained or on their way to potty success, and fully vaccinated to AAP recommendations.

Visit www.cozycubspreschool.com for more information and contact me today to set up a tour!

🐻 ❤️ Ms Nicki