Unlike K-12 education, there is little tax revenue to support early childhood education. As a result, most of the cost of this service must be covered by tuition. Some additional support comes from the Colorado Preschool Program (CPP), the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), and the USDA (food assistance program). Tuition accounts for about 60% of the operating cost for Wings.
Wings has three programs serving children ages 1-2 yrs, 2-3 yrs, and 3-5 yrs. Tuition for the three programs is different because the operating cost of each program is different. The differences in program cost are due primarily to State mandated regulations regarding Teacher: Child ratios.
The Wings Board of Directors has set a goal of subsidizing tuition for 50% of our enrollment. The top table (below) shows the four levels of tuition charged for each of the three programs. Levels I-III receive subsidies of 33%, 23%, and 13% of the base rate. Qualification for these subsidies is based on family income, as shown in the lower table (below). Funding for these subsidies comes from grants and fundraising.