In the busy world of early childhood work, some of the most passionate advocates often arrive through unexpected paths. Shelley Jicha's story with Broomfield Early Childhood Council (BECC) is one of those remarkable journeys—beginning with a simple act of helping during a classroom crisis and evolving into a decade-long commitment to ensuring quality care for all children.
From Volunteer to Champion: A Mother's Path to Professional Purpose
Shelley's entrance into early childhood education came organically, as many significant callings do. As she recalls with a laugh, "I started by volunteering at my children's school... I think one day, I was dropping off my own child, and somebody in the classroom had puked. And they were like, 'here, sit with the kids.' And I was like, 'okay, let's sing, let's sing and dance.'"
What started as an impromptu rescue moment transformed into more volunteer opportunities, then a teaching assistant position, full teaching roles, and eventually directorship. Shelley's progression through the ranks was supported by her personal commitment to excellence while juggling family responsibilities.
She went back to school, seeking out college-level trainings and courses to develop her expertise in the field. "I made sure I got A's," she shares. "I wanted to do my part to make sure if this qualifies me to walk through the next door... And with four kids at home, sometimes that was me on the couch all weekend with lots of lost sleep." This dedication to professional growth through education propelled her forward through each new role in the field.
Shelley began working in Broomfield in 2019 during a turbulent period in her own life. Initially planning to leave her career in early childhood entirely, she found a compromise that would ultimately lead her to BECC.
"At one point I was full time in my previous role...and that just wasn’t an option any more. [But rather than quit], the women in my life professionally were like, 'No, we've got other options. You don't have to quit.' …It might have saved my career," Shelley reflects. She took on a contract role to provide early childhood coaching in Broomfield, gaining the flexibility she needed while staying in the field she loved.
As she began coaching in Broomfield, Shelley’s hours gradually increased, leading to officially joining BECC’s staff in early 2022: "Now I'm 100% Broomfield."
A Passion for Equity in Early Intervention
When asked about her motivation, Shelley speaks with profound conviction about addressing disparities in childcare quality. "I really want to see children living in [areas with] disparities get the highest quality of child care possible. At one point, it was a mandate from Governor John Hickenlooper... that has always just really resonated with me that children living in areas with education access disparities, they deserve high quality care as well."
Shelley’s passion is highlighted with some of the findings she’s memorized over the years: "For every dollar we spend on early childhood education, the return on our investment is 13%." Her own personal mission statement is clear and compelling: "It's so much easier to build the brain than to repair it later."
A Vision for the Future
The culture at BECC stands out in Shelley's narrative: “I think you'd be hard pressed to find a boss as kind and generous as Jessica. Throughout my career, we’d always say that the heart of the director flows through the school," she reflects. "The heart of Jessica flows through our work and our team."
Looking ahead five years, Shelley sees BECC significantly expanding its community awareness and impact. "It would be great to see us in our own space with a team, teaching child care and coaching right on site. I would love to help the community [in a way that], when they think of organizations working in early childhood, we're at the top of their list."
Despite looming funding challenges, Shelley remains hopeful about BECC's trajectory, crediting the exceptional team: "I just feel super lucky in a way that I get to work with them and breathe the same air."
The Changing Landscape of Early Childhood Education
Throughout her eleven years in the field, Shelley has witnessed significant shifts in how early childhood education is perceived. "In the early 2000s, it was really still seen a lot as daycare... that mentality. And over the years, really since Governor Hickenlooper, it has really taken on such a different role."
The pandemic further elevated the profession: "We were considered essential. That really focused on how important it is to have childcare in the community and high quality ones as well." Recent policy developments like Governor Polis introducing Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) have continued this momentum. While community-based, community-led organizations like Broomfield Early Childhood Council face the challenging uncertainty of possible funding cuts in the current legislative environment, advocates like Shelley and her team aren’t letting that deter them from striving to give every child in Broomfield the brightest possible beginning to life.
Shelley Jicha's story embodies the heart of our mission—recognizing that quality early childhood experiences aren't just beneficial, they're essential for building stronger communities and brighter futures. Her journey from classroom volunteer to early childhood advocate demonstrates how investing your time and talents can transform into professional purpose when aligned with a meaningful mission.
