Hours of Operation
We are open Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4 pm (2020 COVID hours)
We operate forty-nine weeks of the year, closing for Spring Break and Winter Break(same days as Boulder Valley School District). We close for all major holidays, including:
- President’s Day
- Memorial Day
- Summer Break (Independence Day, plus 2 days)
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving Day and the following Friday
- Winter Break
- Three days a year for Teacher Planning and Professional Development
- We close when BVSD or Boulder County closes on days of difficult weather or community emergencies.
A Select Staff
All of our teachers are highly trained and committed to the education of young children. Many of our teachers have received Early Childhood Professional Credentials from the Colorado Department of Human Services and the Colorado Early Childhood Professional Credential Office.
Financial Assistance
We are a non-profit organization committed to providing financial assistance to families based on financial need and availability of funding. We welcome CCAP and CSS government supported assistance programs. We receive funding to support financial assistance through the Temple Hoyne Buell Foundation, and from private donors.
Teacher to Child Ratios
Group size and ratios determine the amount of time and attention that each caregiver can devote to each child. Small groups create a sense of intimacy and safety. A rich dialogue between caregivers and children is possible in small groups because there are fewer individuals, less noise, and less activity to interfere with a child’s ability to learn. Small groups and more staff enable caregivers to build strong relationships with each child and to adapt activities to meet the changing interests and needs of the group. The Acorn School promotes ratios of teachers to children lower than the requirements for licensing by the State of Colorado.
Child’s Age |
Acorn’s Goal Teacher to Child Ratio |
State Max Legal Ratio |
Acorn’s Goal Group Size |
State Max Group Size |
6 wks – 12 months |
1 to 3 |
1 to 5 |
9 |
10 |
12 – 24 months |
1 to 3 |
1 to 5 |
10 |
10 |
2 – 3 years |
1 to 4 |
1 to 7 |
12 |
14 |
3 + years |
1 to 7 |
1 to 10 |
18 |
20 |
4+ years |
1 to 8 |
1 to 12 |
20 |
24 |
Non-Discrimination Policy
The Acorn School does not discriminate against personnel, clients, potential clients, volunteers, or any person or group on any basis, including race, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, socioeconomic status, marital status, gender, gender variance, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability.