(Editor’s note: This is a corrected version of a story that appears in the latest print edition. The J Early Learning Center takes kids as young as 3 months, not 13.)
Two early learning centers in Jewish Louisville have earned four-star ratings for their programs by the Kentucky All STARS.
The Temple Trager Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) and the J Early Learning Center both have received the prestigious ranking.
The state-based rating process required documentation of each center’s educational process, staff education and continuing education, as well as daily interactions and staff and family communications.
In addition, an environmental assessment was completed through a rating visit to each center by a Kentucky All STARS representative and quality coach.
Also, The Temple Trager ECEC, which is participating in Kentucky All Stars for the first time, also received $5,000 for achieving the rating.
“The Temple Trager ECEC staff works incredibly hard every day to ensure a welcoming and supportive educational experience for each child and family in our program,” Director of Education Alison Roemer said. “We greatly appreciate this four-star rating and the state’s recognition of our successful efforts. We plan to use the monetary incentives to enhance our facilities and program.”
For the J ELC, it’s their first four-star ranking. Previously, it had won a two-star rating in each of the past three years. Director Norma Cahen said she plans to invest her $5,000 award in more classroom “manipulatives” – toys, equipment, puzzles, light tables, a Iistening center.
She said the J ELC school serves 89 kids, ages 3 months to 5 years. The Temple Trager ECEC serves 180 children, 6 weeks to 6 years.
A program of the Kentucky Partnership for Early Childhood Services, the Kentucky All STARS is the state’s expanded five-star quality rating and improvement system serving all early care and education programs – including child care centers, Head Start and public preschools – that receive public funding. The unified system is based on Kentucky’s Early Childhood Standards and research-based indicators of quality.