Founded in June 2009, Creekside Kids was the first large center Reggio Emilia influenced early learning center in the Pikes Peak region. Creekside Kids provides high-quality early-childhood education based on the child's needs and interests in a Reggio Emilia inspired setting. Creekside started operations in response to the needs of the Cheyenne Mountain School District's preschool families who require extended care while attending D-12's preschool. Creekside also provides flexible hourly and full time care for children who are not in the district's preschool. Though Creekside Kids operates in the Cañon School in Colorado Springs, it is not part of the Cheyenne Mountain School District. Creekside Kids believes in flexible, child-directed learning in an atmosphere of exploratory fun. Their early-childhood education is Reggio Emilia influenced. Reggio Emilia is a philosophy that combines the best features of Play-Based and Montessori methods. Since many of the children are already attending a preschool program, Creekside places an emphasis on learning through long-term exploratory projects and the care of the "whole" child. Physical, social, emotional and cognitive needs are all equally important in the life of a young child and contribute to the growth of the child as a life-long learner.