Defining quality childcare has been a challenge in Florida. There is no mandatory, state-enforced quality measurement program. For many, “quality” in childcare — especially in the crucial development time of ages 0 to 3 — is something that varies.
State funding is not tied directly to a quality rating, but there are voluntary programs.
The Escambia County Early Learning Coalition hopes its quality rating system — Stars Over Escambia – will become a tool that parents can rely upon to choose a childcare center and one that providers will aspire to earn the highest ratings from.
As we learned, there are challenges in determining “quality,” but recognizing and rewarding it — and making sure it is accessible — is something local officials are focusing on.
In this report
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Pre-K lessons from the Mountain State worth looking at
by Shannon Nickinson
West Virginia's investment in universal Pre-K put it among four states highlighted in a recent study as places where an investments in early learning seem to be paying dividends in access, education outcomes.
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What does a Gold Seal VPK program look like?
by Reggie Dogan
Florida's Gold Seal Quality Care program recognizes childcare facilities that meet standards accredited by nationally recognized agencies.
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Woman sitting on couch holding baby
Healthy Start plays a role in kindergarten readiness
by Shannon Nickinson
By reaching families and children in their home, Healthy Start works to improve healthy outcomes and ultimately improve school readiness so all children are ready and able to learn.
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Escambia offcials take in quality talk in New Orleans
by Shannon Nickinson
Escambia County early learning officials will join peers at a national conference in July on quality rating systems in early education.
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Promoting child development through home visits
by Reggie Dogan
Throughout Northwest Florida are a number of agencies and organizations that offer a variety of voluntary in-home service at no cost to families that qualify.
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Shannon's Window: Parents key to quality equation
by Shannon Nickinson
Measuring how engaged a parent is can be tough. But making childcare centers track which tools and supports they offer families — and by tying it to rating of quality — is a place to start.
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Early childhood intervention makes the most difference
by Reggie Dogan
Our county’s future well-being depends on developing baby’s brains and getting children ready for kindergarten.
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Stars Over Escambia aims to move talk to quality
by Shannon Nickinson
The Early Learning Coalition of Escambia County wants to give parents tools to gauge good, better, and best when it comes to quality childcare centers.
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The challenge of quality vs access
by Shannon Nickinson
The man who is at the top of the state’s heap when it comes to early learning acknowledges the limitations when discussing what quality should look like.
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Where are reading skills an issue for kindergartners
by Shannon Nickinson
Data show that at 25 Escambia elementary schools, at least 50 percent of kindergartners were lagging in reading skills.
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