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The beginning of a new school year isn't the only good news for local parents. Several recent initiatives will improve the quality and availability of education for our youngest students and are worthy of recognition.

First, the Routt County Board of Commissioners last week approved a change that will allow local families making up to 225 percent of the federal poverty level to receive financial assistance for child care services. The previous cap was 185 percent.

County officials estimate the change nearly will double the number of families who currently receive aid through the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program. The program is funded primarily through state and federal grants, and the increased eligibility ceiling won't increase the county's costs, officials said.

Families still will pay for child care, beginning at $5 a day for those at 100 percent of the poverty level. The costs increase as the family's income does, capping at $40 a day. Considering the average daily cost of child care in Routt County is $50, the expanded program will save some families thousands of dollars a year.

We're pleased to hear that county officials hope to raise further the eligibility ceiling, which once capped at 300 percent of poverty level, in the coming years.

Studies make clear the importance of quality child care in the development of young minds, and local families face more than cost barriers when it comes to providing early childhood education opportunities for their children. Routt County parents long have suffered from a lack of available child care slots at early childhood education centers and home care providers.

To that end, First Impressions of Routt County is kicking off a recruitment program in September aimed at increasing the number of licensed home care providers. The program will reimburse licensing costs and materials for providers, help applicants with the licensing process and arrange mentoring for potential child care providers.

First Impressions Early Childhood Manager Stephanie Howle characterized the dearth of providers - particularly those who service children younger than 2 - as a county crisis.

There is more good news on the child care front. Euzoa Bible Church will offer a new preschool program beginning Tuesday for children 3 to 5 years old. The 4 1/2-hour weekday program will cost $35 a day and offer traditional preschool curriculum as well as Christian teachings.

Finally, last week ushered in the start of Steamboat Springs School District's all-day kindergarten program. For the first time, Steamboat kindergarteners can take a full day of class, and although the program requires tuition fees from families, it is providing another 80 reasonably priced slots for half-day early childhood education in a county that sorely needs both.