Human Resources: child care center

Mercy Medical Center
Employees Preschool and Child Care Center
2019 East Third Avenue (physical address)
375 East Park Avenue (mailing address)
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 382-1396 or Ext. 1396
FAX # (970) 382-1021

Mercy Medical Center opened the first employee child care center in the Four Corners area in July, 1989. The center was founded due to Mercy employees grass roots efforts in researching the need for the service and actually accomplishing all the work to remodel a neighborhood house owned by the hospital and to equip it with donated supplies. The original center was licensed by the state of Colorado for 27 children. The Center moved into a larger facility in 1994 and is now licensed to care for 10 infants, 10 toddlers, and 20 preschoolers.

The mission of the Center is to provide a safe, secure, yet stimulating environment wherein each child may experience success, thus developing a sense of self-worth. Our developmentally appropriate program fosters emotional, social, physical, as well as intellectual growth.

Within this creative, learning environment, we provide the highest quality child care. You can trust that while in our charge, your child will be well cared for in a clean, healthy environment, in an atmosphere free from stress and anxiety. Parents are welcome at the Center at all times. Our role, as we see it, is to extend, reinforce and complement a child's home and family.

Daily outdoor play, healthy meals and snacks, regular naps and consistent handwashing habits promote the wellness of the child in our care. The Center is enrolled in the Colorado Child and Adult Food Program. Two balanced and nutritious snacks and lunch are served daily.

The Center employs ten staff members on a daily basis and ten substitute staff. There is always a LPN or a RN on duty each day at the Center, who is also an infant caregiver. Approximately 90% of the staff have college degrees and most have been employed at the Center for a number of years. As required by state licensing, the center’s staffing ratios are: Infants 5:1, Toddlers 5:1, and Preschoolers 10:1. Infants may range in age from six weeks to eighteen months, toddlers from one to three years, and preschoolers from thirty months to kindergarten age.The Center serves children of Mercy employees, but also accepts enrollment from the community if space is available. Approximately 70 children use the 40 licensed spots at the Center during a given week due to the flexible schedules of health care workers. Early pre-registration is encouraged as the waiting list can be up to a year long. Infant and toddler spaces are especially in high demand, which is a nation-wide trend.

The Center is open Monday through Friday, 5:45 A.M. to 6:30 P.M., year-round. Actual hours depend on the scheduled needs of the children.

Because of the non-profit nature of the Hospital and the Center, donations are tax deductible. Any donation of money, equipment, or toys or other materials should be brought to the Center. The donations will be made to the Mercy Health Foundation in the name of the Child Care Center.

We accept enrollment without discrimination with regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, or physical or mental handicap.