Families use Parent Aware Star Ratings to find programs using best practices that prepare children for kindergarten.
When a program volunteers to participate in the Parent Aware Star Rating process, we like to say they are letting their stars shine. They are going above and beyond health and safety requirements and are sharing that with families looking for quality care and education programs.
Participating programs receive a Rating of One, Two, Three or Four Stars. Parent Aware Ratings are based on demonstrated use of practices that best prepare children for kindergarten. Each Rating level builds on the next, helping families easily identify how far a program has progressed in adopting these practices.
At each level, quality indicators are measured in four key areas:
Physical Health and Well-being
Teaching and Relationships
Assessment of Child Progress
Teacher Training and Education
To earn a Four Star Rating, programs excel in the use of most of the practices that best prepare children for kindergarten. Do all of the things One, Two and Three-Star programs do, and also:
* Are committed to school readiness by using best practices in child assessment, and always working toward making instruction more individualized, stimulating and language-rich in order to promote critical thinking.
* Have education credentials, are committed to ongoing professional development and have volunteered for training in most of the following: key areas of children’s development; cultural and socio-economic differences between families; practices that support inclusion; offering healthy meals; and engaging children in physical activity and active play.
* Develop strong relationships with families by doing most of the following: sharing assessment results, helping them access family support services, and providing information in parents’ primarily languages.
To watch our video about Parent Aware go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=NEI9JlnDJrY