What is quality? Every parent and family wants the best education for their child. A quality

child care provider:

Why is quality child care important?

Why should I look for a “Guiding Stars ofDuval” program to enroll my child?

Participants in Guiding Stars of Duval are:

• understands that learning begins at birth

• offers lots of activities for children to learn

• provides a safe and welcoming environment

• engages children in fun, “hands-on” experiences

• involves parents and families as their child’s first teacher

• dedicated to offering the best in quality child care

• committed to program improvement

• involved in the on-going evaluation of their program

• trained in the best early childhood education practices.

Children who attend high quality child care programs arebetter prepared for school, have higher achievements in mathand reading, are less likely to be retained, and more likely tograduate and attend a 4 year college or university.

(National Institute of Child Health & Human Development, 1998; Reynolds, 1999; Campbell, 1999;)

How It WorksGuiding Stars of Duval is designed to

evaluate programs based on scientific earlychildhood research.

Centers participating in Guiding Stars of Duval are evaluated by a team of earlylearning professionals based on:

• Environmental structure• Ratio/group size• Quality staff development• Curriculum• Parent/family involvement

Guiding Stars of Duval recognizes state and national accreditation associationsthat endorse quality early childhood education.

The 5 StarsEach participating center displays its Guiding Stars of Duval rating to indicate to

parents and families, the center’s commitment to quality.Each star in the five-star system represents an increasing level of quality. The number

of stars earned by a center is easily understood. However, parents should look atspecific category scores to determine which center meets the needs they care aboutmost. Guiding Stars of Duval participants exceed the state licensing requirements.

Early Learning Coalition of Duval6850 Belfort Oaks Place, Suite 102 • Jacksonville, FL 32216

904-208-2044www.elcofduval.org

Reach For

TheStars!Guiding Stars of Duval is a quality rating improvement

system for early learning centers benefiting providers, families and the community alike.

Operated by the Early Learning Coalition of Duval,Guiding Stars of Duval establishes guidelines and

provides ongoing support for centers that arecommitted to providing quality care and preparing

children to start school ready to learn.Learn more about child care centers and early learning

programs participating in the Guiding Stars ofDuval. Call the Early Learning Coalition of Duvalat 208-2044, or check us out on the web atwww.elcofduval.org. Begin your child’s journeyto early learning excellence, today!

This stars designation is proudly awarded based on an assessment of the center's classrooms and review of documentation of best practices during a site visit. The center is responsible for maintenance of quality after the site visit.

The award represents a standard of quality early learning the center should endeavor to maintain.