LEHIGH VALLEY, PA –  On Monday, February 12, 2024, state Representative Ann Flood  (R-District 138) will recognize two of  three of The Learning Locomotion child care locations for their commitment to continuous quality improvement, as they moved up Pennsylvania’s Keystone STARS quality rating system to a STAR 4, the highest quality designation in the state.

Keystone STARS builds upon state child care licensing regulations by focusing on the essential elements of quality, including physical environment, instructional materials, program support structure, and most importantly, interpersonal relationships and daily interactions. The acronym “STARS” stands for “standards, training/professional development, assistance, resources and support.

While parents will always be a child’s first and most important teachers, high-quality programs like The Learning Locomotion, offer opportunities for children to learn through play in safe environments that are developmentally appropriate for their age level while their parents work. In Pennsylvania only 46% of licensed child care programs have a high-quality designation, and in Northampton County only 39% of child care programs are considered high-quality.

 

WHO:

Representative Ann Flood  (R-District 138)

The Learning Locomotion Staff & Students

Jan Schwartz, Outreach Director, The Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children (PennAEYC)

Mitchell Hugh, Quality Coach, Early Learning Resource Center Region 12

WHAT:

Presentation of Certificates

WHERE:

The Learning Locomotion, 5335 Kesslersville Road, Easton (10 AM)

The Learning Locomotion,  58 Fairview Ave. Wind Gap 18091 (10:30 AM)

WHEN:

Monday, February 12, 2024 @ 10 AM Easton & 10:30 AM Wind Gap

Start Strong PA is an initiative of Early Learning PA. Through a statewide collaboration of partners, Start Strong PA aims 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.

 

Information provided to TVL by:
Jan Schwartz