DAYTON, Ohio (April  30, 2009)—4C for Children has helped almost 50 early childhood programs in the Miami Valley region exceed minimum licensing standards and achieve state quality ratings. These programs received star ratings (one to three stars) through Ohio’s Step Up To Quality initiative that recognizes centers for their commitment to offering quality learning environments.

A complete list of star-rated centers in the Ohio counties served by 4C, including the 10 counties in the Miami Valley, can be found at www.4cforchildren.org/SUTQ.

In Montgomery County, a grant from the ReadySetSoar initiative allows 4C specialists to provide coaching and specialized training to help 11 centers prepare for Step Up To Quality star ratings to promote school readiness.

“This grant provided a great opportunity for us to work with programs to provide technical assistance as they strive to make improvements—and they were all very open to our help,” says Vicki Gulley, 4C’s quality initiative coordinator. “ReadySetSoar and Step Up To Quality are helping to create a whole new paradigm,” she says, “where centers are working hard to improve their programs.”

Jennifer Sammons and Michelle Riley, administrators of the YWCA Dayton Child Care program, worked with 4C specialists in the ReadySetSoar program to achieve a one-star rating and are now preparing to apply for a two-star rating this fall.

"As 90 percent of brain development happens before the age of five, the care a child receives in these early years is vitally important," says Tammy Vaughn, director, 4C Miami Valley. “Ensuring that child care settings offer quality learning environments is a matter of great public importance, and 4C helps child care providers give every child a positive experience and a foundation for success in school and life."

Establishing benchmarks for assuring quality care is the goal of Step Up To Quality, a program administered by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services—Bureau of Child Care and Development. According to ODJFS, 65 percent of Ohio children under the age of six have both parents in the workforce. In addition, the state reports that children enrolled in high quality 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.

A Step Up To Quality rating means the program has lower child-to-staff ratios, more highly qualified teachers and greater attention to a child's developmental needs.

"4C hopes that all parents with children in early care and education settings will ask their program administrators whether they've achieved a star rating or are working toward one," says Gulley.  She emphasizes that many centers may not put in the time and effort until parents show their awareness of the ratings. 4C parent counselors provide free  child care referrals to parents and offer guidance about what questions to ask when looking for a quality program. 

Parents throughout Ohio can check to see if their center has earned a star rating by visiting www.stepuptoquality.org. Center owners and directors throughout the Miami Valley can contact 4C for support in "reaching for the stars" by calling 937-220-9660.

4C for Children, the pioneering leader, advocate and resource for  early childhood education and care in this region since 1972, serves 23 counties from offices in Cincinnati, Dayton (Ohio) and Newport (Kentucky). Each year this not-for-profit agency assists over 8,000 families of all incomes levels in finding and choosing quality child care; educates over 20,000 child care providers in its workshops and trainings; works to increase the supply of high-quality early education and care in the region; and advocates for children and families at the local, state and federal levels. For more information visit www.4cforchildren.org.

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