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Date:
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February 25, 2009
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Contact:
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Phone:
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(330) 379-2761
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FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
One-Star Award Release
KidSpace Child Care and Learning Center Wins State Award for
Excellence in Early Care and Education.
In recognition of its excellent child care program and its
ongoing commitment to children, KidSpace Child Care and Learning Center
has received a One-Star Step Up To Quality Award from the Ohio Department
of Job and Family Services - Bureau of Child Care and Development, the
state agency responsible for licensing and promoting high standards among
Ohio’s child care programs.
“KidSpace provides a higher standard of care that exceeds
Ohio’s licensing standards. This translates to more teachers, a
greater commitment to in-service training and a more nurturing environment
for children to grow and develop,” said Terrie Hare, Chief, Ohio
Bureau of Child Care and Development. “This outstanding commitment
to children and early learning is why KidSpace has earned our One-Star
award.”
Step Up To Quality is a voluntary rating system for early
care and education programs. Participating programs can earn a one, two
or three-star rating by meeting an extensive list of quality benchmarks.
Experts say these benchmarks improve the growth and development potential
of children. The rating system also gives parents a useful tool for selecting
quality early childhood programs.
One-Star Step Up To Quality programs meet the following criteria:
• Lower Child to Teacher Ratios
• Teachers receive five hours of child development training per
year, above licensing requirements.
• To reduce staff turnover, the program provides at least one employee
benefit to staff members.
• Teachers are familiar with Ohio’s Early Learning Content
Standards and are trained to prepare children for kindergarten.
“KidSpace is proud to be a One-Star program. We are
committed to providing exceptional early childhood education through hands
on experiences and opportunities for discovery. We work very hard to achieve
these high standards, and I am very proud of our staff for their commitment
and passion for teaching,” said Deanna Cramblette, KidSpace Director.
Achieving these benchmarks is crucial for the future of Ohio’s children;
this as more parents join the workforce and more children are cared for
outside of the home. In Ohio, 65% of children under the age of six have
both parents in the workforce. At the same time 90% of brain development
occurs before the age of five. Children enrolled in high quality early
learning programs, particularly low income children, are more likely to
stay in school, attend college, earn more money and be employed in high-skilled
jobs than their peers.
Step Up To Quality is available statewide. Visit www.stepuptoquality.org
for more information.ast cancer and MS combined. Especially with the wars
in Iraq and Afghanistan, many individuals are left with a brain injury
and no way to cope with or return to their daily lives.
KidSpace is a social enterprise organization owned and operated by Community
Health Center. The center cares for children ages 6 weeks-12 years old.
KidSpace is located at 719 East Market Street, Akron, Ohio 44305. Call
330-253-KIDS for more information or visit www.chckidspace.com.
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