CARBON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA — State Senator David Argall (R-District 29) and State Representative Doyle Heffley (R-District 122) presented certificates to staff at Lehigh Valley Children’s Centers Inc. recognizing two of their child care centers in Carbon County for achieving the highest quality designation in the state, a Keystone STAR 4. Keystone STARS is Pennsylvania’s Quality Rating and Improvement System helping early care and education centers reach and sustain high-quality education programs.

“Lehigh Valley Children’s Centers at S.S. Palmer and Towamensing Pre-K Counts classrooms work directly in partnership with the Palmerton School District to maintain high-quality education for children three to five years of age,“ said Charles Dinofrio, CEO of Lehigh Valley Children’s Centers, Inc. “The teachers in these classrooms work to provide developmentally appropriate lessons that foster each child’s ability to learn at their own pace while achieving individual academic goals.”

The legislators read to a classroom of Pre-K Counts students at both the S.S Palmer and Towamensing locations. The students in these classes have families earning less than 300 percent of the federal poverty level. Through the PA Pre-K Counts grants, the preschool education offered by Lehigh Valley Children’s Centers Inc. comes at no cost to qualifying families. To show their appreciation for the visit, each preschool class designed a thank you card decorated with each child’s handprint to present to the legislators.

Charles Dinofrio, Towamensing Pre-K Counts lead teacher Amber Bieling, Pre-K Counts assistant teacher Elizabeth Haines, and Towamensing elementary school Principal Kelly George accepted the certificates. At S.S. Palmer Pre-K Counts lead teacher Brynn Leabold and Pre-K Counts assistant teacher Michele Krempasky accepted the certificates.

“Research demonstrates that early childhood care and education programs like high-quality child care and Pre-K Counts support children’s healthy development and school readiness,” said Jen DeBell, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children (PennAEYC). “We commend Lehigh Valley Children’s Centers for reaching the STAR 4 designation at these two programs and their commitment to providing high-quality programming to children.”

Start Strong PA launched in 2019 to support healthy child development, working families, and the economy by increasing access to and affordability of high-quality child care programs for young children.  Learn more at www.startstrongpa.org

Pre-K for PA is an issue campaign supported by individuals and organizations across Pennsylvania who believe that investing in our children is the right choice and an urgent necessity.  Our vision is that every 3- and 4-year-old in Pennsylvania will have access to high-quality pre-k. We will not endorse nor oppose candidates, but rather we will advocate on behalf of this vision for Pennsylvania’s children, schools and communities. For more information www.prekforpa.org.

About Lehigh Valley Children’s Centers, Inc.

Lehigh Valley Children’s Centers (LVCC) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization with 35 locations in Lehigh, Northampton, Carbon, and Schuylkill Counties. Founded in 1970, LVCC celebrated 50 years of providing high-quality early education and child care services to children from six weeks to 12 years of age. LVCC promotes healthy child development, meets the needs of families, and encourages children to discover the joy of learning. For more information, visit www.LVCConline.org.

Information and images provided to TVL by:
Mary Wassell