ASPEN – The Early Learning Center, located in the Yellow Brick Building in Aspen’s West End, has hired a new executive director and a director of curriculum.

Katie Seward, who has worked in early-childhood education in the Roaring Fork Valley for nearly two decades and at the Yellow Brick since 2001, will serve as executive director. Kelly Beal, who has been a teacher at the Early Learning Center since May, will act as director of curriculum.

The Early Learning Center board of directors made the announcement earlier this week. In August, the school parted ways with its longtime director, stating that “it was time for new leadership.”

The Early Learning Center is Aspen’s largest child care center, with classrooms for infants through pre-kindergarten.