KITCHEN RECOGNIZES LOCAL DAY CARE CENTER ‘STARS’

            PHILADELPHIA, November 26 — Several local Philadelphia schools recently achieved a Star 4A in the Keystone STARS quality initiative, according to state Sen. Shirley Kitchen.

            The following child care centers were recognized for improving quality through STARS (Standards, Training/Professional Development, Assistance, Resources and Support):

·         Childspace Too Day Care Center, located at 5517 Greene St.

·         Roxborough YMCA Day Care, located at 7219 Ridge Ave.

·         Mrs. Cynthia’s Munchkin Romper Room FDCH, located at 5430 Germantown Ave.

·         The Porter’s Day Care & Educational Center, located at 1434-38 Belfield Ave.

·         APM Child Care Center, located at 2318 N. Marshall St.

·         C.RIV’s Precious Children, Inc., located at 5040 Wayne Ave.

·         Germantown Boys & Girls Club, located at 25 W. Penn St.

            Additionally, Les Petits Cherubs III, located at 7901 Ridge Ave., achieved a Star 3 in the Keystone STARS quality initiative.

            “We are fortunate to have so many wonderful early education programs that are doing an excellent job of preparing our youngsters for elementary school and beyond,” Kitchen. “I commend these child care centers for their hard work and I encourage them to continue to provide our children with the skills they need.”

            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 Pennsylvania 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.