Improving Program Quality

Family Child Care Satellite Program
Through a grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission, SRP's Early Care & Education Team created a Family Child Care Satellite program. Through this program, a pilot group of independent child care small businesses received mentoring and technical support from dedicated staff working through Chemung County Child Care Council.

Providers learned how to monitor their own program quality using widely accepted standards such as the Family Day Care Environmental Rating Scale.

Many of the strategies used in this pilot, such as the use of a nationally recognized curriculum, were implemented in other Early Childhood programs in the County. 

The Chemung County Child Care Council was chosen as the Lead Agency for the Field Test of QualitystarsNY, a quality child care rating system.

In 2009, over 300 Child Care Professionals received enhanced training and training was expanded to provide on-site education. There was an increase in providers who developed Career Plans, enrolled in higher education or are working on their Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. Thirty nine (39) programs received Quality Enhancement grants. 

Traveling Book Program funding was secured to provide volunteers to visit Family Day Care Homes to bring children's books, role model caring for books and reading to children.