Congratulations!

Your child is enrolled, or you may be considering enrolling your child, in a learning and development program whose level of quality exceeds Ohio’s child care licensing standards.

High quality learning and development program settings are important because early experiences last a lifetime. Your child has 1,892 days from the day they are born until they enter kindergarten. What happens on this journey lays the foundation for success in school and life.

Achieving a Step Up To Quality Five-Star rating means that your child is in a program that has demonstrated a level of quality that meets all requirements and standards for the first three rating levels and is eligible to gain additional points needed to achieve a higher star rating. Programs have flexibility to earn points in the areas that best support their values, goals and structure. Below are some of the ways a program can provide increased quality at the Five Star level.

• Lower staff/child ratios Teachers have more time to support your child’s individual development and learning. This is important because 90% of brain development occurs by the time your child is 6 years old.

• The administrator and teachers have higher education qualifications. The administrator and most teachers have a bachelor’s or master’s degree and many years’ experience working with young children. These qualifications benefit your child’s development and learning.

• The administrator and teachers complete more than 20 hours of specialized training every two years. The administrator and teaching staff are committed to expanding their education and skills to better support your child’s development and learning.

• Teachers develop lesson plans that support each child’s growth. Teachers plan intentional and purposeful activities and experiences that meet the needs, interests and abilities of children and supports them where they are in their development.

• The program completes assessments to evaluate and improve the learning experience. Regular assessments are done with your child to help keep track of their growth over time. This lets teachers adjust how they offer experiences to your child daily.

• The program values its families and community. Programs work with families and neighborhood organizations to provide more opportunities for children.

For more information on your program or other star rated programs visit http://childcaresearch.ohio.gov/

To stay current with information regarding learning and development programs in your area and statewide, visit https://boldbeginning.org/