STARS for KIDS NOW

First Kids participates in the Kentucky All Stars program, and we are currently rated a level 4 Star center. Below you will find information on Kentucky All Stars. All Stars, also referred to as STARS is Kentucky's voluntary quality rating system for licensed Type I and Type II child care centers and Certified family child care homes.  It is now available statewide. This system uses a scale of 1 through 5 STARS to identify levels of quality. All STAR levels surpass the minimum licensing requirements, that all programs must meet. Early care and education programs work to meet standards associated with quality care that result in positive outcomes for young children. Programs are assessed in the following areas: staff/child ratios, group size, curriculum, parent involvement, training/education of staff, regulatory compliance, and personnel practices. All STARS provides parents with a tool to help identify levels of quality when seeking a childcare setting outside of their home. Childcare centers and family childcare homes participating in All Stars demonstrate a commitment toward providing quality care and education. Parents can use the rating system to gain an understanding of the factors that contribute to quality care and education and can choose a childcare setting that best matches their family's needs. Early care and education settings that choose to participate in All Stars may receive free technical assistance through the Quality Enhancement Initiative. Upon receiving a star rating, programs are eligible for a cash STAR Achievement Award. Additional quality incentive dollars are available, on a quarterly basis, based on the size of the program, the number of subsidy children served, and the level of STAR attainment. Assistance with staff training and education is offered through the Early Childhood Development Scholarship Program. STARS for KIDS NOW standards are based on research that demonstrates what combination of criteria are essential for quality early childhood environments. The recommendations for the content of each level were constructed by a representative group of consumers, childcare providers, non-profit group representatives, and others who work and live with young children. STARS for KIDS NOW represents a collaborative effort to ensure that young children in Kentucky are in early care and education settings that are seeking ever-increasing quality. LINKS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:Star Rated Centers and Homes Issued by County http://cdar.uky.edu/stars

 

What does a Four - STAR rating mean for your child?

Four STAR centers have met the requirements for Levels 1-3,  as well as these requirements.

•  The facility conducts one additional family involvement activity for a total of three.

•  The facility has lowered all staff-to-child ratios in relation to licensing regulation requirements.

• The facility has completed all applicable Environmental Rating Scales (ERS) and has received an average score of 4.5 on a scale of 1 through 7.

• In a licensed type I facility parent feedback is collected annually.

• In a licensed type I facility: 50 percent of the staff have a Commonwealth Child Care Credential or higher and 50 percent of the staff working with children have current CPR/first aid training.

• In a licensed type I facility, the director will have at least 24 hours of early care and education training annually.

• In a licensed type I facility, the staff receives a minimum of six paid holidays per year and one week paid leave time after one year. .