Cafe au Play, a new nonprofit, could ease the shortage of child care in Durango by serving infants and toddlers, including those with developmental delays.

Across La Plata County, licensed child care centers can serve only about 44 percent of children younger than 5 years old, said Heather Hawk, executive director of the Early Childhood Council of La Plata County.

The new nonprofit is not a traditional day care center. Rather it is meant to offer a flexible option for parents who may not need full-time child care and do not have extended family to watch their children. It is also meant to be a gathering space for parents.

“Day cares allow parents to drop off their kids, but they don’t necessarily facilitate connection, and that’s what we’re going for,” said co-founder Liza Tregillus.

The idea was inspired by her daughter-in-law, Kelly Tregillus, who struggled to find care for her daughter, Emslie. She thought if a community hub such as a cafe could offer care, it would allow parents to work remotely, connect with other parents and not feel so isolated. She teamed up with her mother-in-law, who is also a play therapist and parenting coach, to make it happen 1½ years ago.

In November, Cafe au Play opened, offering child care and peer support for parents of children from birth to 5 years old. The new venture serves only parents who work or attend classes in the Smiley Building, 1309 East Second Ave.

The nonprofit has space for 12 children at a time. The staff can care for four children, and the other eight need to be accompanied by a parent. The Smiley Building lists 38 tenants on its website, making it a well-trafficked hub in Durango.

For Stacy Gonzalez, mother of 2½-year-old Alec, Cafe au Play supplements formal day care and allows her to work a few more hours a week. It took her many months to find child care in Durango that worked with her schedule.

“It’s just been an overall struggle,” she said.

The cafe allows parents to schedule care or to drop in. Bringing parents together in peer sessions gives them the chance to exchange ideas and observe how other parents interact with their children.

“Parenting will push your buttons,” Liza Tregillus said.

But talking with another adult can give parents better perspective and reduce their stress. Once connected, parents can provide child care for each other, she said.

The nonprofit offers play groups for babies, toddlers and 3-year-olds with developmental delays. It also offers groups for parents facing specific challenges, such as a divorce.

Liza Tregillus hopes to offer peer groups for Spanish-speaking parents and parents of twins or other multiple births.

The nonprofit also plans to offer a variety of parenting classes around topics such as potty training, sleep problems and child behavior. She also hopes to offer classes geared toward expecting parents, a service shown to reduce rates of postpartum depression, child abuse and neglect, Liza Tregillus said.

Those interested in child care at Cafe au Play can sign up for a monthly membership, which runs $20 a month and comes with a discounted rate for hourly child care. The nonprofit expects to accept about 100 members.

The nonprofit plans to offer scholarships in the future for low-income families.

mshinn@durangoherald.com

If you go

Cafe au Play will celebrate its grand opening from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday in Room 201 of the Smiley Building, 1309 East Second Ave.

There will be a play time for children ages 5 and younger from 10 a.m. to noon.

The open house will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided.