CINCINNATI (April 7, 2008)—4C for Children’s Prize Patrol made a recent stop at the Miami University Child Development Center in Oxford, operated by Mini University, Inc., to recognize its child care program and ongoing commitment to children. The program received a Two-Star Step Up To Quality Award from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services – Bureau of Child Care and Development, and is the first center in Butler County to earn stars in this program.

“It is a significant achievement for a center to be awarded on this level as it requires meeting and maintaining high quality standards in multiple areas,” said Kim Ginn, Step Up To Quality coordinator at 4C, this area’s leading child care coordinating agency. “4C is here to help administrators and teachers complete the professional development registry and evidence portfolio needed to demonstrate they meet these high benchmarks.”

A Step Up To Quality star rating means a center has gone above and beyond Ohio’s licensing standards. This includes lower child-to-staff ratios, more highly qualified teachers and greater attention to a child’s developmental needs. 4C encourages all centers in its 23-county service area to pursue a star rating—and then provides technical assistance for meeting the various benchmarks required at each level.

 “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 Ginn.

Ginn emphasizes that many centers may not put in time and effort until parents show their awareness of the ratings. “Every center with a star-rating should proudly display the official award-winning banner and poster to let families know of their significant achievement.”

Parents can check to see if their center has earned a star rating by visiting www.stepuptoquality.org. Here, administrators and parents can also access a listing of criteria and next steps to earn this award. Ginn pointed out center owners and directors can also contact  4C for no-cost support in “reaching for the stars” by calling 513-221-0033 for more information.

4C, this area’s child care resource and referral agency, serves a 23-county area in Southwest Ohio, the Miami Valley and Northern Kentucky. Funding is provided in part by United Way, the City of Cincinnati, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Division of Child Care. Visit www.4CforChildren.org or call 513-221-0033 for more information.

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Photo Caption: Staff from Miami University Child Development Center and 4C hold the banner recognizing the new Two-Star Step Up To Quality rating. This is the first center in Butler County to meet Ohio’s Step Up To Quality standards. From left: Jennifer Smith, 4C early childhood specialist; Kellie Kochensparger, Miami University Child Development Center director; Chandra Ackley, Miami University Child Development Center education coordinator; Kathleen Bryan, 4C professional development counselor.

For more information, photos or to schedule an interview, contact Amy Gorga, 4C Communications Coordinator, at (513) 758-1310 or agorga@4cforchildren.org.