Four Stars for YWCA Early Education Program

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by YWCA TriCounty Area

YWCA Tri-County Area’s Early Education Center today earned the highest level in Keystone STARS performance standards set by the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning.

The STARS 4 designation recognizes YWCA Tri-County Area for its performance in the quality of staff credentials and professional development, programming, partnerships with family and community, and leadership and management.

“This designation acknowledges the strides we have made to improve the quality of education at our Early Education Center,” said Stacey Woodland, CEO of YWCA Tri-County Area. “We earned a perfect score; our goal now is to sustain the high quality of education we provide to local families.”

To earn the STARS 4 designation, YWCA Early Education Center improved the quality of classroom environment, curriculum performance standards, partnerships with families and the community, Continuous Quality Improvement measures, and the educational levels, support and continuing education, and compensation for teachers.

“The consistent support for our teachers promotes staff retention,” Woodland said. “That in turn provides continuity of care for the children, aiding in their development and learning.”

The STARS 4 designation also gives the Early Education Center additional state support for child care subsidies, and additional technical assistance and resources for the classroom.

YWCA Tri-County Area’s Early Education Center offers infant, toddler, and preschool classrooms, two Early Head Start classrooms, and two Pre-K Counts classrooms. In addition, Out Of School Time before and after school is available to families with school-age children.

Keystone STARS is an initiative of the Office of Child Development and Early Learning to improve, support, and recognize the continuous quality improvement efforts of early learning programs in Pennsylvania. Each level builds on the previous level using research-based best practices to promote quality early learning environments and positive child outcomes.