Early Childhood Ed. Program Celebrates

On the final day of the school year, pre-school students at Mid-East are celebrating summer. At the same time, the staff is celebrating high honors from the state.

Learning and development programs in Ohio could apply for the new ‘Step up to Quality’ rating system this year. Early childhood education instructor, Katie Lucas, said they knew they had to apply for the highest rating. She said the staff is relieved now that they’ve gotten the five star rating.

“As we know, our program is a quality program,” Lucas said. “We decided to go for the five star.”

She added that after months of work, it’s a relief to get this documentation. But also, she said it’s a way to let, “everyone know basically what you actually do at the state level. 1:18 and also it was a celebration.”

Lucas said they are proud to receive the distinction. Getting a five star award depends on many categories. Some of them are a low child to staff ratio, and Lucas said they have a 2 to 1 ratio.

Other categories are developing plans to support children as they transition to a new classroom or educational setting, use input from families and community partners and also have an active and organized parent volunteer group.

“I and the staff here feel that mid east provides an exceptional environment for children and families, and this was a way to just tell everybody that this is the best place to bring your pre schooler,” Lucas said.

Mid-East will have to reapply for a five star rating in three years, but in the meantime the program will have to give the state yearly progress reports.