Sue Alexander’s path to early childhood education wasn’t conventional. After years in accounting, Sue retired to find herself at a new kind of desk—surrounded by crayons, nap blankets, and laughter at Family Star Montessori. Inspired by a news segment on Channel 9, she joined the Early Childhood Service Corps (ECSC), seeking both purpose and connection.

For Kit Karbler, a retired glass artist from Denver, retirement opened the door to a new kind of creativity and community. Kit spent nearly 50 years crafting intricate glass sculptures, running Lake Street Glass in downtown Denver, and building a thriving artistic community. However, after stepping away from his career, Kit felt a void. “I had done all the yard work and cleaned the house,” he recalls, “but I wanted to do something more.”

Babu's journey with ECSC highlights the growing trend of older Coloradans stepping into roles in early childhood education. ECSC provides free, online training through Arapahoe Community College and places trained older adults in classrooms across the state. The program addresses a significant shortage of preschool workers, especially in rural areas, while offering retirees a way to stay active and contribute to their communities.

Golden, Colo. - April 2, 2024: The Early Childhood Service Corps (ECSC) continues to make waves in the education sector, showcasing the incredible impact older adults can have in early childhood education. A recent article by Denver 7 News highlights the story of Mike Van Meter, an assistant teacher at Thrive Preschool in Golden, who at 78 years old, has found new purpose and joy in working with young children.

Join us for the ECSC nonprofit’s Early Childhood Training Courses and become qualified to volunteer and support in Early Childhood (EC) classrooms by joining the upcoming Early Childhood Service Corps’ Cohort 6! Information sessions are available starting March 5th, (Tuesdays at 10am) with sessions scheduled throughout the recruitment period.

In the realm of early childhood education, the presence of older adults as trained support in classrooms is proving to be a game-changer. As the Early Childhood workforce grapples with challenges, integrating experienced individuals into these environments brings forth a myriad of benefits that not only address immediate needs but also contribute to the long-term well-being of the sector.

Volunteering is good for you - and our community!  The Early Childhood Service Corps (ECSC) amplifies the power of older adults to strengthen our communities. We connect adults over 50 to an innovative, intergenerational program that recruits, trains and deploys older adults to serve in the Early Childhood Field in the state of Colorado. Now, thanks to a multi-year study conducted by a University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work evaluator, we know how great our impact is.