Child Care
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Studies show that children who receive high-quality care during their early years are more likely to develop better cognitive, language, and social skills than those who receive poor quality care (NICHD Early Child Care Research Network, 1997).
Structural features of the child care environment such as child-staff ratios and teacher qualifications impact the quality of care children receive. Interactive features like caregiver-child communication, caregiver warmth and responsiveness and quantity and quality of activities designed to stimulate children's development all affect quality as well (National Center for Early Development & Learning, 1997).
In September 2000, the NC Division of Child Development began issuing star rated licenses to all eligible Child Care Centers and Family Child Care Homes. With 5 the highest score, the system permits recognition for higher quality care. Currently, 100% of our centers have 4 or 5 star ratings.
Striving to be the very best, we are working hard to have all NWCDC centers reach the 5 Star rating. Increasing star ratings and improved quality early childhood education means investing in teacher education and capital improvements.
