COMMUNITY SUPPORTS
The VVF brings together governments, businesses, and individuals to achieve great things and tackle significant challenges in our community.
Recognizing the broader needs of our community, we have officially added 'Community Supports' as our fourth pillar to reflect decades of work rising to meet community challenges.
Through extensive community engagement and assessment, we have identified Childcare as a key area requiring immediate and mid-range support. These priorities emerged from our community engagement committee, established in 2021 following our work supporting the local response to the COVID-19 pandemic.Transforming Childcare in the Eagle River Valley
The Challenge
The Eagle River Valley is currently experiencing a critical shortage in childcare availability, with nearly half of the Valley’s childcare needs going unmet. Many families rely on informal care, delay returning to work, or leave the workforce altogether because they can’t find licensed childcare.
Our Solution: Lettuce Patch Early Learning Center
In 2022, the Vail Valley Foundation established the Eagle River Valley Childcare 501(c)(3) nonprofit to help address the region’s growing need for high-quality early childhood education. That vision is now becoming a reality with the opening of Lettuce Patch Early Learning Center.
Lettuce Patch Early Learning Center is scheduled to open in Avon in October 2026. The all-electric, 13,595-square-foot facility will serve up to 165 children ages six weeks to 5 years, helping expand access to high-quality early childhood education for families throughout the Eagle River Valley.
For enrollment, employment opportunities, and additional details, visit lettucepatch.org.
The Project: Partners and Timeline
The Town of Avon’s 50-year land lease to VVF for $10 laid the groundwork, made possible by Traer Creek LLC’s original conveyance of the property for community use in the 1990s. Eagle County donated $1 million for the facility, and Town of Avon provided $800,000 in contributions and incentives. Vail Resorts Epic Promise Foundation assisted with key grant support.
VVF partnered with Zehren and Associates for architectural and design services and with RA Nelson for General Contractor duties. In spring 2025, Access Early Education Foundation was selected as the facility operator. Several additional local and regional partners have been involved throughout the process.
In June 2025, the project officially broke ground. The ceremony drew a large crowd, including state Sen. Dylan Roberts, all three Eagle County commissioners, many Avon Town Council members, several donors who are making the project possible, and members of Eagle County’s early childhood education world.
Construction remains on schedule for an October 2026 opening. Exterior work is nearing completion, interior finishes are underway, and classroom furnishings will be installed this summer.
Recent News
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Support
Addressing community challenges through transformative projects requires continued community support and strong partnership to reach its full potential. Donations support tuition assistance, staff housing assistance, and operational needs while helping expand access to quality early childhood education for local families.
If you would like to learn more about supporting our childcare and workforce housing initiatives, please contact VVF Senior Vice President of Operations Sarah Franke at sfranke@vvf.org or President Mike Imhof at mimhof@vvf.org.
