Helping Child Care Providers Operate More Efficiently And Reach Economies Of Scale
The business realities for child care providers are daunting. Our shared services network supports child care providers of all sizes and technology skill-levels with quality programs for children nationwide.
Our Story
ELV was established in 2009 by the David and Laura Merage Foundation to help children develop strong learning foundations through universal access to high-quality early childhood education. In 2016 we transitioned to an independent public charity and remain committed to improving the quality of early child care by supporting providers.
We recognize that the majority of child care providers are small independent businesses that are passionate about caring for children, but lack the resources to effectively improve the quality of their programs. Therefore, we offer child care providers nationwide much needed back-office support through our licensing-compliant online child care management system, Alliance CORE.
In Colorado, we provide a deeper level of support through access to our Shared Resource Platform, powered by CCA for Social Good and available to all early childhood providers in the state. We also provide direct coaching, support, and funding to providers in our Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership program. This unique partnership brings comprehensive services and support for low-income children and their families to providers in under served areas across the state.
We’re Stronger Together
Mission
Early Learning Ventures is dedicated to expanding access to quality, affordable child care. We focus our efforts on improving the quality of early child care programs – 85% of which are small, independent businesses that lack the infrastructure and resources to invest in quality improvements.
Vision
Education is the gateway to life outcomes, and the first five years of life are uniquely important if we want children to succeed in school, grow and thrive. We believe all children deserve access to high-quality early care and education.
Meet ELV's Management Team
Judy Williams
Chief Executive Officer
Judy manages and leads the overall operations of the Early Learning Ventures Alliance Model in Colorado, as well as oversees the business development, growth expansion and replication of the ELV shared services model throughout the United States. Prior to joining ELV, she owned and operated successful private drop-in child care centers in the Denver metro area, providing high-quality early care and education to thousands of children and families. Judy is a graduate of the University of Northern Colorado with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and has a Master’s in Business Administration from Webster University. Judy also served as an Officer in the United States Army and has worked as a nursing instructor, staff supervisor, and consultant in a variety of settings in the health and early education industry.
Christian Andrade
Chief Operating Officer
Christian Andrade manages the ELV Business Services team as well as ELV administrative services. Christian is from Denver and has a Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in organizational leadership and Business Strategy. He has extensive public and private sector experience in the banking industry which has included sales, client services, technology, and operations.
Tristan Clerihew
Product Manager
Tristan manages and leads Early Learning Ventures’ Resource Center operations and Client Support Team, as well as oversees product development and management of ELV’s Child Care Management System, CORE. Tristan has been with ELV since January 2017. Prior to joining ELV, he worked extensively in the Education Technology sector in California, working specifically with Charter Schools and helping them better understand their Student Achievement Data through the use of online technology systems. He has 10 plus years of experience in the Education Technology sector. Tristan is originally from Vermont, and has always had a great appreciation for the importance of Education, as both of his parents were career teachers, now retired. Tristan graduated from Siena College outside of Albany, NY, with a BA in Political Science and History.
Cassie Leyva
Strategic Business Development Director
Cassie Leyva leads Early Learning Ventures’ fundraising, partnership development, marketing, and revenue generating efforts. Cassie joined ELV in April 2023 and brings over 15 years of nonprofit, foundation, and communications experience. Prior to joining ELV, Cassie focused on driving Early Care and Education policies at the state and federal level. Cassie graduated from Winona State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Law & Society and Global Studies.
Eva Nagel
Client Support Manager
Eva Nagel manages our client support team of virtual administrative specialists who then train individual child care providers on the Alliance CORE child care management system. She trains these specialists to onboard providers and keeps the team well rounded regarding system updates and overall features. Eva also oversees the monthly invoicing and Accounts Receiving for our network members’ affiliate fees within QuickBooks for services provided. She trains new association hubs on CORE accounts and ensures setup is efficient for their success on the tool. She serves as overall project management for our business services team wherever assistance is needed including being our Alliance CORE billing module expert, supporting our new members in welcome packages/cards, and finally assists in branding/network communications.
Tim Garcia
Quality Child Care Partnerships Director
Tim Garcia leads Early Learning Ventures’ (ELV) Early Head Start – Child Care Partnership implementation, which makes services available to 350 infants, toddlers and their families across six Colorado counties with the support of $5M annually in federal funding. Tim joined ELV in March 2015 as Quality Improvement Coordinator and was promoted to lead the entire division a year later. Tim has 18 years of experience in the early childhood education sector, with more than 8 years of experience working directly for Head Start/Early Head Start Grantees in a leadership role. He also previously served as Director of Quality Assessment at Qualistar Colorado, providing oversight of statewide assessments of licensed child care programs. Tim graduated from the University of New Mexico College of Education with a Master of Arts in Language, Literacy, and Socio-Cultural Studies and earned his Bachelor of Arts from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA.
Jennifer Rosendo
Family Engagement Manager
Jennifer Rosendo leads the Family Support team through the ELV Quality Child Care Partnership model. She oversees the enrollment of children, empowerment of families as their child's first teacher, connection of families to the broader community and the development of leadership and advocacy skills. Ms. Rosendo has 20 years of experience in the early childhood education sector, with more than 15 years' experience working directly for Head Start and Early Head Start grantees in various roles. Ms. Rosendo holds a BA in Psychology and a MA in Education Administration with an emphasis in Early Childhood
Ty Johnson
Early Education Manager
Ty Johnson currently manages the implementation of ELV education and child development services aligned with Early Head Start standards and delivered through the ELV Quality Child Care Partnership model. Ms. Johnson previously supported community outreach and recruitment for Early Learning Ventures and has been affiliated with the organization for four years. Ms. Johnson has more than 15 years of experience working in early care and education in various roles from classroom teacher to education director in both family child care homes and center based programs. Ms. Johnson has her BS in Human Services and MA in Education Administration with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education. Ms. Johnson is currently working on her Doctorate in Education with an emphasis in Equity in Educational Leadership.
Elsa Sackett Warren
Leadership Development Manager
Elsa Sackett Warren oversees leadership development for directors of Early Head Start centers through the Early Learning Ventures Quality Child Care Partnership grant. She shapes training and growth opportunities around program quality improvement, management, human resources, and business operations. Ms. Sackett has a decade of experience in various informal education settings, where she focused on program leadership and personnel development. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Education and Social Policy from Northwestern University.
Kailee Smith
Health and Safety Manager
Kailee became the Health & Safety Coordinator for Early Learning Ventures in January 2021 and was promoted to Health & Safety Manager in January 2022. She supports Early Head Start programs in reaching, maintaining, and exceeding health and safety guidelines and best practices through the ELV Quality Child Care Partnership model. Early in her career, Kailee worked in community nutrition providing education and support to children and families through Michigan State University Extension and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). More recently, she provided health consultation for licensed child care programs in Kalamazoo County, Michigan and oversaw statewide implementation of federally-required health and safety visits with license-exempt child care providers in Michigan. Kailee received her Bachelor of Science in Dietetics and Foodservice Administration from Central Michigan University and her Master of Public Health from Western Michigan University.