About 5280 Early Childhood Education Center · Golden
5280 Early Childhood Education Center is a privately owned, state-licensed preschool and child care center in Golden, Colorado, serving children ages 6 weeks through 5 years. Founded in 2013 by Angela P. Starnes, the center operates with a whole-child philosophy emphasizing low teacher-to-student ratios, hands-on learning, healthy on-site meals prepared by a chef, and curriculum covering science, math, reading, geography, music, arts, environmental stewardship, and social-cultural awareness. It is licensed by the Colorado Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care, with a licensed capacity of 67 children.
5280 Early Childhood Education Center (5280 ECEC) is a privately owned, state-licensed early childhood education center located at 17602 W. 14th Avenue in Golden, Colorado (Jefferson County), with a second location at 1690 Simms Street in Lakewood (Applewood area). The center was founded by Angela P. Starnes in September 2013 and holds Colorado child care license #1638237 with a licensed capacity of 67 children. It provides care and education for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers from 6 weeks through 5 years of age, with daytime, full-time, and part-time care options. The center's stated philosophy is to develop the whole child — physical, social, emotional, and intellectual — through active exploration, environmental education, healthy on-site meals (prepared fresh with natural ingredients and minimal processed foods), and low teacher-to-student ratios. Classrooms are led by teachers trained in CPR and First Aid, and the program accommodates children with a range of special needs including social-emotional, respiratory, diabetic, seizure, physical, cognitive, speech/communication, and dietary needs. Under Angela Starnes' direction the center earned multiple community honors, including Best of the Best (2016–2020), Best of Golden Child Care (2018–2020), the Golden Business Hall of Fame, and the Strathmore's Who's Who Professional of the Year for 2020 and 2021.
- In business
- Founded September 2013 (operating since 2013, over a decade in business)
- Owner
- Angela P. Starnes, Owner & Director
- Serves
- Golden, Colorado and surrounding Jefferson County communities (Lakewood/Applewood area via the second location)
- Rating
- 2 reviews on ChildcareCenter.us; high employee satisfaction noted on Indeed.com
About 5280 Early Childhood Education Center
5280 Early Childhood Education Center is a privately owned, state-licensed child care center and preschool serving Golden, Colorado and the surrounding Jefferson County area. Founded by Angela P. Starnes in September 2013, it was designed from a parents' and teachers' perspective with a focus on wholesome on-site meals, low teacher-to-student ratios, a community feel, and an extension-of-the-home environment. The center develops the whole child — physical, social, emotional, and intellectual — through active exploration in math, science, reading, writing, geography, music, arts, social and cultural acceptance, environmental stewardship, and nutritional and health knowledge.
- Privately owned and State of Colorado licensed
- Ages served: 6 weeks through 5 years
- Licensed capacity: 67 children
- License #1638237
Programs and Services
The center offers a continuous educational track from infancy through pre-kindergarten, designed to challenge children academically while remaining developmentally appropriate. The preschool curriculum follows structured units and weekly themes, with a custom-designed program tailored to each child's individual abilities, and uses engaging learning centers and small-group activities. A 10-week Summer Camp ('Camp ECEC') broadens the scope of the curriculum with immersive activities and adventurous field trips.
- Infant care (6 weeks and older)
- Toddler care
- Preschool program (ages 2–5) with structured curriculum, themed units, and learning centers
- Summer Camp (10 weeks of immersive activities and field trips)
- Before & After School program with flexible rate categories
- Full-time and part-time care options
Curriculum and Teaching Philosophy
5280 ECEC believes children acquire knowledge through active participation in the world — building, playing, talking, listening, painting, running, reading, measuring, and many other experiences. Classrooms are intentionally kept at low teacher-to-student ratios so children receive more one-on-one attention, and teachers are described as highly qualified, educated, experienced with young children, and trained in CPR and First Aid. The center celebrates children as exceptional individuals who gain knowledge from their surroundings in diverse ways.
- Math
- Science
- Reading and writing
- Geography
- Music and arts
- Social and cultural acceptance
- Environmental stewardship
- Nutritional and health knowledge
- Independence and good old-fashioned play
Nutrition and Meals
The center places a strong emphasis on healthy eating. Meals are prepared on site by a chef using natural fresh or frozen ingredients, with minimal use of processed or canned foods. This in-house approach is one of the center's distinguishing features, frequently highlighted by staff and families as a meaningful part of the daily experience.
- On-site chef
- Wholesome, natural-ingredient foods
- Minimal processed or canned items
Special Needs and Inclusive Care
5280 ECEC welcomes children with a range of special needs and lists explicit areas of support on its state licensing profile, indicating a 'Willing to Support' approach. Staff work with families to accommodate medical, developmental, dietary, and behavioral needs within the daily program.
- Social-emotional behaviors
- Respiratory illness
- Diabetes
- Seizure disorders
- Physical delays/limitations
- Food and dietary needs
- Medical/special procedures
- Cognitive delays
- Speech/communication needs
Locations and Hours
The primary 5280 Early Childhood Education Center is located in Golden, Colorado. A second affiliated site — '5280 Early Childhood Education Center-Applewood' — operates in the Applewood/Lakewood area. The center is open Monday through Friday and closed on weekends.
- Golden location: 17602 W 14th Ave, Golden, CO 80401 — (303) 278-7772
- Lakewood (Applewood) location: 1690 Simms St, Lakewood, CO 80215
- Hours (per state listing): Monday–Friday 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Saturday and Sunday closed
- Some directories also list 6:30 AM – 6:00 PM Mon–Fri
Leadership and Staff
Angela P. Starnes is the Owner and Director of 5280 Early Childhood Education Center, having founded the school in September 2013. She holds a B.S. in Horticulture from Auburn University and earned her Director Certification in Early Childhood Education and Teaching from Red Rocks Community College. Prior experience includes serving as a Teacher Assistant Director at Cradle to Crayons in Auburn, Alabama. Angela Starnes is described by staff as hands-on across every classroom and as fostering a calm, stress-free environment for both children and employees. Teaching staff are characterized as highly qualified, educated, experienced with young children, and trained in CPR and First Aid.
- Owner/Director: Angela P. Starnes
- Co-owner of Hillcrest Investment Properties (since December 2015)
- Director Certification from Red Rocks Community College (2011–present)
- B.S. in Horticulture, Auburn University
Awards and Recognition
Under Angela Starnes' leadership, 5280 Early Childhood Education Center has received consistent community recognition for the quality of its programs. The center was featured on the famous Reuters Billboard in Times Square, New York City, as part of Angela Starnes' Professional of the Year honor.
- Best of the Best — 6 consecutive years (2016–2020 and beyond)
- Best of Golden Child Care — 2018–2020
- Golden, Colorado Business Hall of Fame
- Strathmore's Who's Who Professional of the Year — 2020 and 2021
- Reuters Billboard, Times Square, NYC feature
Licensing and Compliance
The facility is licensed by the Colorado Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care. The center's licensing record is publicly available, and supervisory inspections have been documented in 2018, 2019, and 2020. The district office for licensing inquiries is the Colorado Dept of Human Services — Division of Child Care.
- License number: 1638237
- Initial license issue date: 2013-09-13
- Current license issue date: 2017-06-21
- State rating: 2
- Languages supported: English, Chinese
- District office phone: 303-866-5958
Community and Family Engagement
5280 ECEC describes itself as 'a contributing member of the greater Golden, Colorado area and beyond,' and intentionally designs the school day as an extension of the home environment. According to employee reviews, the center hosts parties for the children and an annual larger family event, alongside a chef-prepared meals program and hands-on leadership from the owner across classrooms.
- Extension-of-the-home philosophy
- On-site community and family events
- Family partnerships emphasized in curriculum