Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much does Court Care charge?
A. Court Care’s services are always free to anyone with court-related business in the Fourth Judicial or Colorado Springs Municipal Courts.
2. What are Court Care’s hours?
A. Court Care is open everyday the Fourth Judicial District is open. The Center is open from 7:45AM – 12:15PM and 1:15PM – 5:00PM. Court Care is closed over the lunch hour.
3. Where is Court Care located?
A. Court Care of the Pikes Peak Region is located on the first floor of the El Paso County Terry Harris Judicial Complex. Once passing through security, please continue to the south wing (to your left) of the complex. Once you arrive at the information booth, take another left, and look for room S 140. If you have any issues finding Court Care, please feel free to call 719-452-5499.
4. How old does my child need to be to use Court Care?
A. Court Care cares for children ages 6 weeks to 14 years. Court Care has two classrooms. One classroom serves up to 8 infants ages 6 weeks through 2 years old. The other classroom serves up to 22 children ages 2 14 years. According to licensing requirements, Court Care can serve no more than 30 children at any one time.
5. Can I complete paperwork before I arrive at the courthouse?
A. No. Plan to arrive 30 minutes prior to your scheduled appearance to register your child. Court Care asks that you bring your child’s vaccination records. Please call 719-452-5499 for more information.
6. Can jurors use Court Care?
A. Yes. Court Care is available for jurors.Jurors may call 719-452-5499 to make a reservation. Please let us know if you will not need to serve and can release your place.
7. What security measures does Court Care employ?
A. The El Paso County Judicial Complex is highly secure. Court Care requires all parents or caregivers to show a picture ID when they drop children off. Court Care staff will only release children to the same parent or caregiver unless instructed by a directive of the court. Court Care upholds strict confidentiality. Classrooms are locked, allowing only the parent or caregiver access. Court Care is armed with a panic button. Both classrooms have video camera feeds monitored El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.
All classrooms monitor attendance and update attendance records throughout the day. The time of the child’s arrival and departure is recorded. Children are accounted for at least once every 15 minutes. The number of children and adults present is recorded every 30 minutes.
8. Is Court Care affiliated with the Courts?
A. No. Court Care is an independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The Center is operated by Early Connections Learning Centers.
9. Do I need to make a reservation?
A. No. Court Care is available on a first come, first served basis. Please arrive 30 minutes prior to your court appointment to ensure ample time for check-in and paperwork.
10. Does Court Care have a non-discrimination policy?
A. Yes, click here for the full policy.
11. Does Court Care provide food and drink for my child?
A. Yes. Court Care offers nutritious snacks and drinks for children. You may also pack any food or drink you would like your child to have. Metal forks are not allowed through security. Please note: Court Care is a peanut-free facility.
12. How long can my child stay at Court Care?
A. The Center is open from 7:45AM – 12:15PM and 1:15PM – 5:00PM. Monday through Friday. Court Care is available to families while conducting your court-related business only. If your child is left at the Center after closure, your emergency contact will be called first. If your child is not picked up, the Department of Human Services and/or the police will be called for assistance. Court Care is closed for lunch.
13. Can persons without court-business use Court Care?
A. No. Court Care supports only those families with legal business in the Fourth Judicial District or Colorado Springs Municipal Court.
14. Does Court Care ever turn families away?
A. Yes. Court Care accepts children on a first come, first served basis. Asa licensed facility, the required staff-to-children ratio is maintained at all times. Occasionally, Court Care meets the maximum capacity. In this instance, children will have to wait for space to open up. Court Care recommends you arrive thirty minutes prior to your court appointment to ensure that there is space available for your children. Court Care is licensed to care for children ages 6 weeks to 14 years old. If your child or children are not in these age groups, Court Care cannot accept them. Please also see number 19, below, on children with significant medical needs.
15. What do children do at Court Care?
A. Court Care follows a curriculum planned by Early Connections Learning Centers. Each day’s schedule is primarily literacy-based, and includes developmentally appropriate art, science, dramatic play, sensory, language/literacy, and music and movement activities led by a certified early education teacher. Toys, games, and books are also provided.
16. Where do I park when I go to the Courthouse?
A. The El Paso County Terry R. Harris Judicial Complex courthouse is located at 270 S. Tejon Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.
If you are a juror, please refer to the guidance on the 4th Judicial District website here.
There are three parking garages near the courthouse. All three incur fees for parking. The parking structure most conveniently located to the Courthouse is one block south of the courthouse public entrance at 50 East Costilla Street. There is also a covered parking structure at 255 South Sahwatch located one block west of the courthouse. Another covered parking structure is located at 130 South Nevada Street.
There is metered parking around the Courthouse . Meters surrounding the Courthouse accept coins and credit cards and most offer up to two hours of service. Finding a parking place is difficult so it is recommended that you allow yourself extra time for this purpose.
17. Can all of my children be kept together?
A. Children are placed into one of two classrooms based on their ages. Ages 6 weeks through 29 months are placed in one room. Children ages 30 months to 14 years old are placed in a different room. This placement structure is designed in order for Court Care to maintain its licensing requirements and no exceptions will be made.
18. What do I need to bring with me to Court Care?
A. Court Care provides everything needed for childcare. For younger children, please bring a diaper bag with bottles, formula or breast milk, diapers, wipes, and a change of clothes. Please do not pack any peanut products. Court Care is a peanut-free facility. Metal forks are not allowed through security.
19. My child has special health care needs, what do I need to do?
A. Court Care’s staff are trained to administer topical medications, oral medications, ear drops, and eye drops with appropriate documentation from the physician.
Staff will only administer prescription and non-prescription medications with a written order from your child’s physician and with parental consent. We require our Medication Form to be filled out for all medications.
The Division of Child Care requires the following for over the counter and prescription medications:
- Written order of an MD, DO, PA, or NP
- Written parental consent
- Child’s name
- Licensed prescribing practitioner name, telephone number and signature
- Date authorized
- Name of medication and dosage
- Time of day medication is to be given
- Route of medication
- Length of time medication is to be given
- Reason for medication. The reason needs to be specific, it cannot be “as needed” or “PRN”
- Side effects or reactions to watch for
- Special Instructions
Medications must be brought to the Center in the original pharmacy container appropriately labeled by the pharmacy or person with prescriptive authority along with a copy of the medication authorization order. Please inform center administration if your child is currently on medication. It will also be the parent’s responsibility to supply the medication syringe or dropper.
A current Health Care Plan is required for children with Asthma or Epi Pen. Please bring these forms with you when you come to Court Care. Download and complete: asthma form or Epi Pen form.
We are not able to accept children whose needs require a higher level of training such as: diabetes, G-Tube feedings, oxygen, or seizures. If you have questions, please call us at 719.452.5499.