Teton County Early Care & Education
Program Details
The Teton County early care and education programs serve children from six weeks through five years old. We believe early development and learning stem from positive social relationships. Starting in infancy, we help children build relationships, and continue fostering social and educational experiences they need to start kindergarten with confidence. All classrooms are inclusive, so children with special needs learn alongside their typically developing peers. Each classroom has two primary teachers, with support staff regularly assisting teachers throughout the day.
A Typical Day at CLC
Classrooms all follow roughly the same schedule. Infant classrooms are modified to meet the needs of individual children’s schedules.
- 8:30am – Arrival
- 9am – Breakfast
- 9:30-11:45am – Activities, outside time, learning, etc.
Specific activities are based on age and classroom. - 12pm – Lunch
- 1-3pm – Nap/rest
- 3:45-4pm – Snack
- 4:30pm – Departure
Facilities
Mercill Campus
Houses five of our early care and education classrooms to serve children from six weeks through five years of age. The Early Head Start and Head Start programs are also based at the Mercill campus. Classrooms at the Mercill building are:
- Stars – infants
- Sparklers – 1-2 year olds
- Comets – 2-3 year olds
- Ravens – 3-5 year olds
- Mountain Lions – 3-5 year olds
145 Mercill Avenue
Jackson, WY
Rafter J Campus
Houses five of our early care and education classrooms to serve children from six weeks through five years of age. Special education administrative offices are also based at the Rafter J campus. Classrooms at the Rafter J building are:
- Hedgehogs – infants
- Chiselers – 1-2 year olds
- Otters – 2-3 year olds
- Raccoons – 3-4 year olds
- Owls – 4-5 year olds
1300 W Valley Springs Road
Jackson, WY
Tuition
Rates & Billing
Tuition rates are based on age and hours attended. Core program hours are 8:30am-4:30pm. Based on availability, families may choose to add before care (8-8:30am) and/or after care (4:30-5pm)
Infants & Young Toddlers
(Stars, Hedgehogs, Sparklers, and Chiselers Classrooms)
| Hours | Monday-Friday | Mon, Wed, Fri | Tue, Thu |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 Hours 8:30am-4:30pm |
$1,610 | $1,058 | $746 |
| 8.5 Hours 8am-4:30pm or 8:30am-5pm |
$1,745 | $1,135 | $801 |
| 9 Hours 8am-5pm |
$1,881 | $1,212 | $856 |
Older Toddlers & Preschool
(Comets, Otters, Mountain Lions, Ravens, Raccoons, and Owls Classrooms)
| Hours | Monday-Friday | Mon, Wed, Fri | Tue, Thu |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 Hours 8:30am-4:30pm |
$1,356 | $891 | $628 |
| 8.5 Hours 8am-4:30pm or 8:30am-5pm |
$1,491 | $968 | $683 |
| 9 Hours 8am-5pm |
$1,627 | $1,045 | $738 |
Tuition is billed on a monthly basis. Bills are sent on the 5th of each month with payments due on the 10th. Payments can be made via the Brightwheel app.
Tuition Assistance
We do not want cost to be a barrier for access to quality early childhood education. We offer tuition assistance based on need, number of applicants, and available funds. The level of assistance is based on a target tuition-to-income ratio, with special consideration for unique circumstances.
The application is open to all families in May and November, and throughout the year for emergencies.
Enrollment
Registration Information
The first step in enrolling in the early care and education program is joining the waitlist. Once you are on the waitlist, our enrollment coordinator will communicate with you three times each year – in January, May, and September. When there is an opening in a classroom, we start at the top of the waitlist and offer to the first person who matches that age group, schedule, and campus. When a slot is offered, you will receive an email and text with the offer. You will have 24 hours to accept the slot.
Parent Communication
Once enrolled, we use Brightwheel, a childcare management app, to communicate with parents. Through Brightwheel, you can communicate with your child’s teachers, make tuition payments, and complete registration paperwork.
Teton County Early Care & Education Staff
Fatima Ramos Montiel
Raccoons Teacher
Teresa Gonzalez Romero
Food Program Manager
Diana Ruiz
Support Staff
Samantha O’Brien
Otters Teacher
Salma Martinez
Substitute
Rilla Ferreria
Ravens Teacher
Nancy Perez Perez
Support Staff
Maria Eugenia Ayala
Stars Teacher
Maria “Chayo” Gonzalez
Stars Teacher
Keily Garcia Vasquez
Comets Teacher
Katrina Finch
Mountain Lions Teacher
Justin Finch
Owls Teacher
Jessica Sosa Garcia
Sparklers Teacher
Jessica Castillo Ayala
Otters Teacher
Jennifer Castillo Ayala
Support Staff
Jasmin Moreno
Chiselers Teacher
Isidra Vargas Hernandez
Support Staff
Irma Garcia Sosa
Support Staff
Irais Sosa
Support Staff
Heather Menke
Quality Assurance Coordinator
Gloria Aguilar
Support Staff
Gloria “Cecilia” Contador Robles
Sparklers Teacher
Diana Garcia
Hedgehogs Teacher
Daviana Ramirez Caballero
Chiselers Teacher
Daniela Cruz Torres
Substitute
Bibiana Bonilla
Ravens Teacher
Astrid Andujar-Vega
Support Staff
Ariadna Andrade Guerrero
Kitchen Assistant
Annie Johnson
Rafter J Site Manager
Alejandra Leon Hernandez
Support Staff
Alejandra Franco
Comets Teacher
Adriana Carrillo Farfan
Hedgehogs Teacher
Beronica Oseguera
Mercill Site Manager
Heidi Schrum
Enrollment Coordinator
Teton County Early Care & Education FAQs
The program is Monday through Thursday from 8am-2:45pm and runs from early August through mid-June.
As part of your monthly tuition, we include homemade breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack each day. We have a six-week, nutritionally balanced, rotating menu, which is updated seasonally. A nutritionist reviews the menu. We do not serve any peanuts in our classrooms and take food allergies and other dietary restrictions very seriously.
All ages will need to bring a bottle/water bottle, blanket for naps, extra change of clothes, and weather-appropriate outerwear. Each classroom will send a list of specific things to bring prior to the start of the year.
Yes, we spend at least 30 minutes outside each day as long as the temperature is above 0. During nicer weather classrooms will stay out longer or go out multiple times a day.
Yes, upcoming tour dates are listed below by campus. You do not need to RSVP for tours.
Mercill Campus
- October 7, 2025 at 10am
- November 4, 2025 at 10am
- December 2, 2025 at 10am
- January 6, 2026 at 10am
Rafter J Campus
- October 15, 2025 at 10am
- November 19, 2025 at 10am
- December 17, 2025 at 10am
- January 21, 2025 at 10am
When you sign up to be on the waitlist, you can select which schedule(s) and location(s) you prefer. All families on the waitlist will receive a check-in email three times per year – in January, May, and September. In January, you will receive an email with the subject “Response Required.” If you do not respond to this email within seven days, your name will be removed from the waitlist. When there is an opening in a classroom, we start at the top of the waitlist and offer to the first person who matches that age group, schedule and campus. When a slot is offered, you will receive an email and text with the offer. You will have 24 hours to accept the slot. If you do not respond, you will be removed from the waitlist. You may choose to refuse an open slot twice and remain on the waitlist in your current position. Upon the third refusal, your name will be dropped to the bottom of the waitlist.
Typically, parents can expect to be on the waitlist for at least one year.
Our core hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm. Depending on availability, we offer extended care from 8-8:30am and/or 4:30-5pm.
We serve children starting at six weeks old, through kindergarten.
We use Brightwheel, a childcare management app, as our primary form of communication between parents and teachers once you are enrolled. Through Brightwheel, you will be able to check your child in/out, communicate directly with teachers, submit enrollment forms, see photos and videos of your child, pay tuition, and more. Parents will receive instructions on how to log in at the time of enrollment.
Brightwheel AppWe bill for tuition on a monthly basis. Bills are sent on the 5th of each month with payments due on the 10th of each month. You can make payments via the Brightwheel app.
Brightwheel AppTuition is dependent on age and the number of days and hours your child attends CLC. The full tuition schedule can be found here.
Tuition