Keystone STARS
Elevating Quality Early Learning: Children Central's Commitment to Excellence with Keystone STARS
Keystone STARS Daycare: What a STAR 4 Rating Means
Children Central is proud to have achieved four STARS in the Keystone STARS rating system.
This rigorous certification sets us apart from other top child care centers. As a result, your child's care and early education are held to a higher standard.
Keystone STARS rates child care programs from one to four STARS on things you care about (meets state regulations for safety, offers a kid-friendly atmosphere with good teachers that partner with you to help your child learn) so you can find the program that feels right for your family. Keystone STARS provides early childhood programs in Pennsylvania with the tools to continually improve service to children and families. Through the Keystone STARS program and the STARS rating system, families know that as programs earn more STARS, they are providing higher quality early education for their child.
Children Central program has received four stars, ensuring parents are able to feel confident knowing their child is in the best early childhood program available in Pennsylvania.
Keystone STARS Daycare Accreditation
The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) states: “The percentage of four-year olds with proficient academic and social skills doubled to 81 percent after participating in Keystone STARS 3 and 4 programs.”
Keystone STARS (Standards, Training/Professional Development, Assistance, Resources) provides families with a tool to gauge the quality of child care programs. Through the Keystone STARS daycare program, child care programs are supported in their commitment to continuous quality improvement. Keystone STARS program participants can enter at the “Start with STARS” level and earn a STAR 1 through STAR 4 rating based on four research-based indicators of quality care:
- Educated, Well-Trained Staff: Teachers and staff complete educational credentials and ongoing professional development. This expertise confirms their nurturing care and ability to support each child's development.
- Learning Environment: Classrooms and materials provide rich, engaging experiences tailored to different ages and learning styles. This promotes hands-on exploration, purposeful play, and growth.
- Leadership & Management: Centers follow sound business practices and policies that enhance quality, communication, and staff satisfaction. This contributes to a well-run, responsive learning environment.
- Family and Community Partnerships: Centers collaborate with families, schools, and community organizations. This bridges important connections to benefit each child.
Centers voluntarily pursue Keystone STARS daycare ratings (Start with STAR 1 to STAR 4) by demonstrating they meet strict standards in these impactful categories.
The Benefits for Your Child
The Children Central Keystone STARS program offers the following benefits.The following benefits are included in the program:
- Two-thirds of the staff completed or are enrolled in credentials or degrees.
- Activities designed to encourage communication, both written and verbal, occur naturally in the day.
- Parental and community resources are used effectively in the delivery of quality child care.
- Business, organizational, and staff compensation practices are maximized.
- A review of the facility by a nationally recognized environmental rating scale that indicates a high-quality score.
- Teachers use the PA Early Learning standards to develop curriculum and learning activities.
- Teachers hold a meeting with families within 45 days after a child enrolls or transitions to a new class, provide daily updates on the child's activities, and hold at least two conferences to share a child's progress each year.
- An independent evaluation of our classroom setup and learning activities using a standardized tool (Environment Rating Scale).
- Children Central works with families and schools to make a smooth transition for children to a full-day kindergarten program.
- Staff complete 24 hours of continuing education each year.
- Staff receive at least three employee benefits, such as health insurance, which helps reduce staff turnover.
As a certified Keystone STARS daycare center, we assure you that our center adheres to quality benchmarks that help foster your child’s success in school and life.
Our Commitment to Continuous Improvement
We are committed to continuous improvement in the early learning system. With the Keystone STARS Program you will find:
- Department of Human Services Certificate of Compliance for Centers.
- A comfortable place where your child can explore and learn.
- Laughing, reading and talking which builds language skills.
- Teachers learning new ways to help your child succeed.
- A safe, healthy and exciting place.
- Music, art, science and play activities that increase school readiness.
- Your child feeling good about his/her self.
- Family involvement.
- Teachers that listen to children and parents.
- Children having fun together and being respectful of each other.
Our Children Central STARS program motivates us to constantly evaluate how we can enrich children’s development and experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Keystone STAR 4 daycare rating mean?
A Keystone STAR 4 daycare has achieved the highest rating available through Pennsylvania’s Keystone STARS quality rating system. STAR 4 programs demonstrate high standards in areas such as staff qualifications and professional development, learning environments, leadership and management, and family and community partnerships. Children Central has achieved a four-STAR rating, reflecting its commitment to high-quality early childhood care and education.
What is an overview of Keystone STARS?
Keystone STARS is Pennsylvania’s quality rating system for early learning programs. It sets research-based standards in staff education, learning environment, leadership, and community partnerships that childcare centers must meet at progressively higher levels to earn Star 1 through Star 4 designations. Keystone Stars gives parents an objective way to evaluate program quality.
We are a 4-star Keystone Stars daycare center. Book a tour with us today and see the difference in your child’s development.
What are the Keystone STARS requirements?
Quality ratings are based on four areas.
- Staff education – early childhood educators have the training and knowledge to interact properly with children.
- Learning environment – program has developmentally appropriate materials for a variety of ages and provides opportunities for children to learn on a daily basis.
- Leadership and management – a well-run business has policies and plans in place that enhance safety and manage risk, but also establish regular communication with parents and manage the needs of their staff.
- Family and community partnerships – programs reach out to families and community groups to take advantage of all resources that may help their young children and families.
We are a 4-star Keystone Stars daycare center. Book a tour with us today and see the difference in your child’s development.
What does Children Central do to support each child's growth and development?
Children Central teachers observe each child closely and assess their development across learning domains. This identifies strengths and needs to target instruction. Teachers partner with families by sharing observations, providing at-home activities personalized to the child, and conferencing about progress. The goal is to foster skills for success in school and beyond.
We are a 4-star Keystone Stars daycare center. Book a tour with us today and see the difference in your child’s development.
How does Keystone STARS rate a program?
Programs complete a self-study evaluation based on STARS standards to apply for a STARS level. Keystone STARS evaluators will then confirm their STARS level. Programs that are earning a STARS 3 or STARS 4 also receive an independent Environmental Ratings Scale.
We are a 4-star Keystone Stars daycare center. Book a tour with us today and see the difference in your child’s development.
What is the difference between a STARS 1 and higher STARS ratings?
Programs are rated using the four quality areas, but the requirements increase in each area for each STARS level. Please speak with your local Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) for details of STARS-level requirements.
We are a 4-star Keystone Stars daycare center. Book a tour with us today and see the difference in your child’s development.
In addition to providing quality child care, we ensure your children get a foundation for lifelong success. We invite you to visit or schedule a tour to see firsthand the learning environment our dedicated teachers offer.