New Avon facility on track to open in October; website and brand identity now live
Avon, Colo., July 1, 2026 — The Vail Valley Foundation (VVF) today announced that Lettuce Patch Early Learning Center is now accepting enrollment applications and job applications. The facility’s website is now live at lettucepatch.org, where visitors can get their first look at the center's new logo and brand identity.
The all-electric, 13,595-square-foot facility, located on East Beaver Creek Boulevard in the Village (at Avon), will have capacity to serve up to 165 children ages six weeks to 5 years once it opens this October. It will operate Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., year-round. The center will have 12 classrooms and three outdoor playgrounds.
"For too many families in the Eagle River Valley, finding childcare is one of the biggest barriers to living and working here. We are honored to be stewards of an initiative that helps address some of that need,” said Mike Imhof, President and CEO of the Vail Valley Foundation. “A project like this takes a village. From Traer Creek LLC, who dedicated this land for community use back in the 1990s, to the Town of Avon for allowing us to use the land and providing generous financial contributions, to the many individual donors, employers, and granting organizations who have joined the effort: we are grateful. It is amazing to see what we can accomplish when we come together in support of our valley's kids.”
"Watching this project grow from an idea to a collaboration and groundbreaking, and now to opening families’ enrollment and hiring professional early childhood educators, has been incredibly rewarding," said Town of Avon Mayor Tamra Nottingham Underwood. "This is what a strong public-private partnership can deliver. The Town of Avon is proud to stand alongside the Vail Valley Foundation and the many partners who helped turn this vision into reality. We can't wait to welcome our youngest residents to Lettuce Patch in Avon this fall."
Enrollment, employment, and what to expect
Lettuce Patch Early Learning Center combines open-market availability with an employer-sponsored model. Priority will be given to full-time, year-round enrollment. Demand is expected to be high, and families are encouraged to fill out the enrollment application now at lettucepatch.org. Families can find information about tuition rates, policies, and more by visiting the website or by emailing info@lettucepatch.org.
Open positions are also posted at lettucepatch.org and applications are currently being accepted. Once fully staffed, the center will employ over 40 individuals, including a director, lead and assistant teachers, float staff, and kitchen personnel. Access Early Education Foundation will serve as Lettuce Patch Early Learning Center operator, overseeing enrollment, hiring, and day-to-day instruction and operations.
"We are thrilled to bring our expertise to a center that will make such a meaningful difference for local families," said Jennifer Knott, Executive Director of Access Early Education Foundation. "Quality early childhood education shapes a child's entire trajectory, and we are eager to welcome our first kiddos through the door this fall. Every classroom, every staff member, and every detail of this center has been designed with one goal in mind: giving young children the strong foundation they deserve to thrive."
Construction progress continues
The facility, which was designed by Zehren & Associates and is being built by RA Nelson, remains on schedule for an October 2026 opening. Exterior work, including asphalt parking areas, playgrounds, and other amenities, is almost complete. Interior buildout and finishes are also underway, and classroom furniture will be installed toward the end of July.
The center's name, announced earlier this year, pays tribute to Avon's roots as a thriving lettuce farming community in the early 20th century. The center's new logo reflects that same spirit, with playful lettering in garden greens, a friendly ladybug perched on top, and a smiling little lettuce character. Together, the name and logo honor Avon's agricultural heritage while creating a warm, welcoming identity for the children and families it will serve.
Final Fundraising Stretch
To date, VVF has raised more than $13.4 million toward construction. VVF is also fundraising for a $4 million Tuition, Housing, and Operational Fund to support working families across income levels, help attract and retain qualified early childhood educators, and support operational expenses. Those interested in applying for tuition assistance or staff housing assistance can contact info@lettucepatch.org for more information.
Donations to Lettuce Patch Early Learning Center are eligible for the Colorado Child Care Contribution Tax Credit (CCTC). The project is part of VVF's $74 million Empowering Possibility Capital Campaign, which will transform arts, athletics, education, and community support services in our valley for generations to come. To learn more and contribute, visit empower.vvf.org or contact VVF President & CEO Mike Imhof at mimhof@vvf.org or Vice President of Philanthropy Peter Barclay at pbarclay@vvf.org.
Lettuce Patch Early Learning Center is the product of a community-wide effort. 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 contributed $1 million, Town of Avon provided $800,000 in contributions and incentives, and Vail Resorts Epic Promise Foundation assisted with key grant support. VVF Board members Johannes Faessler and Steve Coyer, and Board Chair Chris Jarnot, have guided the project from the start. Many other incredible donors, employers, and organizations have helped bring this project to life. The full list of supporters is available at empower.vvf.org/donors.
To learn more about Lettuce Patch Early Learning Center, visit lettucepatch.org.
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About Eagle River Valley Childcare
Eagle River Valley Childcare is a 501(c)(3) Colorado nonprofit corporation operated by the Vail Valley Foundation, dedicated to enhancing early childhood education and development services across the community. The first initiative, Lettuce Patch Early Learning Center in Avon, represents a private-public partnership with the Town of Avon to address the Eagle River Valley's critical early childhood education needs. The 13,595-square-foot facility will provide high-quality early childhood education and development for children ages six weeks to five years. Donations to Lettuce Patch Early Learning Center’s capital or operational needs are eligible for the Colorado Child Care Contribution Tax Credit (CCTC).
To learn more, visit lettucepatch.org.
About the Vail Valley Foundation
The Vail Valley Foundation is a 501(c)(3) Colorado nonprofit with a mission to provide leadership in arts, athletics, and education, and address community needs to enhance our valley as a place to live, work, and visit.
The organization's work in education is through Youth Power, a 501(c)(3) Colorado nonprofit corporation which provides programs from early childhood to college and career to support youth and families every step of the way. The VVF puts on several annual events including the GoPro Mountain Games, Stifel Birds of Prey Audi FIS Ski World Cup races, Vail Dance Festival, and Bulleit Hot Summer Nights and Town of Eagle ShowDown Town free concert series. The organization manages the Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek and the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater in Vail, hosting over 150 events annually. The VVF also operates Eagle River Valley Childcare, a 501(c)(3) Colorado nonprofit corporation focused on enhancing early childhood education and development services across the community.
Vail Valley Foundation is grateful for our cornerstone partners: Town of Vail, Vail Resorts, Beaver Creek Resort Company, GoPro, Nature Valley, Constellation Brands, CELSIUS, Diageo, Lucid, Lifetime Home Remodeling, and Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate.
To learn more, visit vvf.org.
