The Gardner School at 9+CO
A Balanced Mix of Play and Learning
Our new location is conveniently located in the 9+CO community between the Hale and Congress Hill neighborhoods. We’re so excited to bring our balanced mix of academic enrichment and creative play to families in the thriving 9+CO neighborhood.
Academically Focused Learning With Research-Based Curriculum
The Gardner School at 9+CO has a rich learning environment that stimulates your child’s physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth. We believe each child should have early social-emotional learning, educational activities, and plenty of time to explore and play. Our approach ensures that each child is nurtured at the proper pace and level, providing them with the educational foundation for a bright future. The Gardner School at 9+CO offers educational preschool and early childhood programs for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years.
At The Gardner School, we nurture intellectual growth through a variety of visual and audio aids, educational toys, games, puzzles, and learning supplies. We believe a well-rounded education encourages an emerging sense of self and socialization alongside intellectual exploration.
School Features
- Academically-focused learning with a research-based curriculum
- Real-time updates through the parent communications app with photos, nap and feeding times, and school announcements
- Safe and secure environment
- Inviting classrooms with highly-qualified preschool teachers
- Delicious, healthy meals in the Kids’ Café
- Open-door policy for daily check-ins
- Spacious outdoor and indoor playscapes
- S.T.E.A.M. lab (a hands-on, integrated learning space to explore Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math, Spanish, soccer, TOTs, BeSmart, and tumbling)
- Yearly family and community events
- Convenient location near Congress Hill and Hale Neighborhoods
Academically-focused Programs
Camp Gardner
Infants
Pre-K
Preschool
Toddlers
Twos
Enrichment Classes
Soccer
Gymnastics
BeSmart Computers
Martial Arts
Spanish
Soccer (3+)
BeSmart Computers
Basketball (TOT)
9+CO Campus Leadership
Charlotte Staton
School Director
How long have you been with TGS?
March 2023
Roles Served with TGS:
Director
What is your educational background?
I have an associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education, a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Relations, with a concentration in Early Childhood Development, and my master’s degree is in Special Education and Behavioral Analysis.
What made you decide to have a career in education?
Working in education allows you to see the impact you have on the world around you.
What makes you laugh about kids?
They put everything into perspective. Sometimes life is not so serious, and children help remind adults to have fun!
What do you love most about working with infants through the age of 5?
The amount of growth and development that occurs during these years is incredible!
What is your favorite part of the day at TGS?
My favorite part of the day is when I walk around to visit the classrooms and see everyone having a good time. They are always engaged in something fun, which makes me want to join in!
What do you love most about TGS?
I love the standard of care we hold our centers to. Each teacher goes above and beyond to make the experiences in the classrooms so meaningful.
What is your fondest memory of TGS thus far?
My best memory will be the support I had when I first started. I really felt like I was joining a team when I started at The Gardner School.
What inspires you?
My teachers inspire me every day. They are so committed to the children and their families.
What is your passion or passions?
I love any activity that I can bring my dog to! We love to enjoy Colorado summers outside and in the mountains!
What does the term “Where Learning Begins” mean to you?
This means that early childhood is a crucial time period for growth and development. There are so many opportunities in the natural environment that educators and caregivers can capitalize on to give their children the best support.
How important is early childhood education?
Education in early childhood helps establish those foundational skills to be successful in school and future contexts.
What would you tell new parents who are apprehensive about leaving their infant in the care of someone else for the first time?
I would tell them that this is a normal feeling. At our school, we pride ourselves on our communication which helps to ease parents into this next step and bridge the gap between school and home.
Meghan Hartigan
Assistant Director
How long have you been with TGS?
I have been with TGS since August of 2020.
Roles Served with TGS:
I began working at The Gardner School of Bucktown in August 2020 as a lead teacher in the three-year-old classroom. I moved to Colorado in August of 2021 and was the lead teacher in the three-year-old classroom at the TGS DTC location. In March of 2023, I was promoted to Assistant Director at our Denver 9+CO location.
What is your educational background?
I graduated from the University of Iowa in 2016 with my B.A. in Psychology. I also attended Harold Washington College in Chicago for additional courses in Early Childhood Education.
What made you decide to have a career in education?
I have always wanted to make an impact on children and help them grow to be outstanding human beings. They are our future, and I believe their educational and personal growth is so important.
What makes you laugh about kids?
Their brutal honesty, unpredictability, and huge personalities!
What do you love most about working with infants through the age of 5?
It is incredible to watch them learn about everything around them for the first time, see their curiosity grow, and watch them explore and learn. I love being able to participate in their personal and educational growth.
What is your favorite part of the day at TGS?
My favorite part of the day is the evenings at pick-up time when the kids are excited to tell their grown-ups what they did at school!
What do you love most about TGS?
The relationships I have with both the families and staff at TGS. It is such a warm community.
What is your fondest memory of TGS thus far?
Fall Festival! I love seeing how excited the kids are to show off their costumes to teachers and friends, plus it’s fun for the adults to dress up, too! It’s a great opportunity for families to get to know each other and partake in festive activities together.
What inspires you?
I am inspired by children and their curiosity and free-spirited personalities. They inspire me to explore and ask questions, and they remind me that life is all about having fun!
What is your passion or passions?
Besides my passion for education and kids, I love the outdoors and music. I enjoy going for hikes, running or biking, and seeing live music.
What does the term “Where Learning Begins” mean to you?
Early childhood begins the foundation for a lifetime of learning! We aim to create a love for learning that will grow throughout their life.
How important is early childhood education?
Early childhood education is so important! Children are sponges and are soaking up all the new information they are constantly receiving. These are formative years, and their learning potential is so high during this time.
What would you tell new parents who are apprehensive about leaving their infant in the care of someone else for the first time?
I would tell them that leaving your child with new people can be difficult, and it shows how much you care about the safety and well-being of your child! I would reassure them that their child is in the best care and that our teachers will communicate with you throughout the day so you can be involved in your child’s experience at TGS. We have an open-door policy, so they are always welcome to come check in. Our goal is to ensure that you and your child are comfortable and happy here at school!
