At Clayton, we are in the hopes and dreams business, and few moments capture that more vividly than PreK graduation. Watching our children leave our program is always bittersweet: we celebrate the role we played in helping them and their families reach this milestone, while also feeling the quiet ache of saying goodbye. But that space never stays empty for long. Soon, a new group of children will be full of laughter, curiosity, and love - enrolled and racing through our halls

Every year, Clayton Early Learning marks International Mud Day with something that looks, from a distance, like pure chaos. Children squishing, squealing, slogging through mud, shaping it into pies, pressing it into sculptures, and generally doing everything their instincts tell them to do when faced with a glorious pile of earth and water. But take a closer look, and it’s something else entirely: learning. At Clayton, we believe play is curriculum. For children in their earl

At Clayton Early Learning, we love to read all year long, but February is officially "I Love to Read" Month! We kicked off the month with some very special guest readers - board members, staff, and leaders from the Colorado Department of Early Childhood and Early Milestones Colorado joined us to read Llama, Llama Red Pajama in each of our 16 classrooms. Children and staff were encouraged to wear pajamas to school to match the book theme for the day. We appreciate how much muc

We were honored to welcome U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper and a distinguished group of early childhood leaders to our campus recently for a roundtable discussion focused on the state of childcare in Colorado. The conversation brought together policymakers and practitioners to examine both the challenges facing the childcare sector and the opportunities to strengthen access, affordability, and quality for families across the state. Participants emphasized that childcare is mor

Recently, thanks to Ibotta, we were invited to take the opening free throw shot at the Denver Nuggets game. One of our parents, Patrick, made the attempt, and, while it was an exciting highlight for our year, the notion of ensuring our families have a real “shot” at a better life immediately came to my mind. I always say Clayton is in the hopes and dreams business. We constantly challenge ourselves to give kids the best shot at achieving their hopes and dreams by providing an

Recently, Clayton parent Patrick Montgomery represented our community in the Ibotta Shot for Change at the Denver Nuggets home game! This exciting opportunity was more than just a fun moment on the court—it was a meaningful way to make a real difference for Clayton families. Ibotta generously donated $2,500 to help empower young children and families in our community, offering vital resources and opportunities for growth. Patrick’s shot symbolized so much more than a basketba

This season, the warmth of community is felt not just in words, but in the aroma of 6,000 freshly baked empanadas filling the halls of Clayton Early Learning. Thanks to the generosity of Lorena Cantarovici and Maria Empanada, thousands of families across Metro Denver, many still recovering from the recent federal government shutdown and the resulting strain on food benefits, received a meaningful reminder that neighbors look out for one another. To help meet the moment, Clay

These voters may be small, but their voices are big! On Election Day, when many were focused on disagreements, Clayton preschoolers reminded us what respectful civic engagement can and should be. They studied the issues (well, they tasted them), and then cast their votes for new breakfast items to be added to our menu rotation. This story on Next on 9News beautifully captures this heartwarming activity, which celebrated the spirit of democracy, serving as a reminder of the p

Friends, With Thanksgiving only weeks away, we wanted to share our gratitude for all the tremendous support and provide an update on our work and progress. As I begin my fourth year at Clayton, the first days of school still inspire me. It’s magical to see families trust our staff with their children, and it’s inspiring to see how our amazing staff engages and supports our families and their children. It’s truly a community and one I am humbled to serve. At Clayton, we are co