WASHINGTON: THREE LOCAL DAY CARE CENTERS RECEIVE ‘STARS’

PHILADELPHIA, November 28 — Three local early education programs recently achieved a Star 4A in the Keystone STARS quality initiative, according to state Sen. LeAnna Washington (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery).

            Brenda D. Johnson FCCH, located at 6454 N. Smedley St. in Philadelphia; Childspace Day Care Center at Mt. Airy Presbyterian Church, located at 13 E. Mt. Pleasant Ave. in Philadelphia; and Creative Beginnings Early Childhood Center, located at 121 Huntingdon Pike in Rockledge were recognized for improving quality through STARS (Standards, Training/Professional Development, Assistance, Resources and Support).

            “I applaud these child care centers for being exceptional in providing a key service to our youth,” Washington said. “Early education is a crucial factor in a child’s development, socially and academically, and so I encourage these programs to keep providing a quality education to our children.”

            Keystone STARS is a quality improvement initiative for early learning programs. It is part of the Early Learning Keys to Quality Initiative, which was developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning to ensure that all families have access to high-quality early childhood education and school-age opportunities.

Programs may earn a STAR 1 through STAR 4 rating based on nationally recognized standards, staff education and professional development, early learning environment, partnerships with family and community and leadership and management.