“A champion of the young children in Spartanburg County, Quality Counts is an initiative that supports continuous quality improvement in early care and education programs with the goal that ALL children will arrive at school prepared for kindergarten success.”
Carolyn Brooks, Executive Director, Spartanburg County First Steps
Why Quality Counts?
Has your child’s pediatrician ever mentioned that 90% of your child’s brain architecture will be built by age 4? That’s right. 90%. With a percentage that high, it’s easy to understand how cutting edge research continues to tell us that young children who participate in child care programs and school environments that offer high quality learning experiences are more likely to be prepared for school success. What’s more shocking is that children who are NOT enrolled in high quality learning programs can arrive at kindergarten as much as 18 months behind the learning curve of their peers.
Early childhood years cannot receive a “do over.” What happens during a child’s early years sets the stage for all future learning. Every moment, every experience, counts for the future quality of a child’s life. Therefore, Quality Counts demands the importance of quality early care and education programs be recognized and sought after by anyone who has a part in helping a child grow.
Whether you’re selecting, creating, or sustaining a quality child care program, we recognize what a huge –and sometimes overwhelming—experience it can be. Remember, Quality Counts is here to help:
High quality learning programs will provide an enriched educational environment where children engage in developmentally appropriate learning and play, guided by a qualified caregiver. This type of setting promotes healthy brain development and prepares a child for future learning success. Quality Counts can help you identify quality learning environments as participating programs receive a 1 to 5 Star rating after each assessment based on our quality standards. A 5 Star rating represents very high quality, and a 1 Star rating represents minimum standards met.
Parents, please use our resources, tools, and list of Star Rated Programs that are already participating in our initiative as you explore and research childcare options and learning experiences for your child.
Child Care Providers, please use us as a resource for things big (becoming a participating program in our quality initiative!) and small (linking to hot-button early child care topics and what the experts are saying) as your classroom or program continues to grow with the children it serves.
News and Views
Star Program List is Growing
Quality Counts star ratings are based on the following five quality standards and require a strong commitment to quality to achieve: (1) children’s learning environment, (2) staff qualifications, (3) number of teachers and children per classroom, (4) program administration, and (5) family engagement Because of the effort and dedication …
read moreSlide into Summer Reading
In partnership with the Spartanburg Academic Movement, Quality Counts is offering a special reading initiative for 3 and 4 year-old classrooms called Slide into Summer Reading during the summer months of June and July. With the goal of classrooms reading a total of 1,200 minutes, at home or at school, over the months of June and July …
read morePlay in the Park
Each year, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) hosts a celebration honoring young children and those who help them grow. At Quality Counts, we celebrate this special week by participating in the annual event Play in the Park sponsored by the United Way Young Leaders, City of Spartanburg, and…
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