Tiffin Childcare Center earns star

The Tiffin Seneca Childcare Center recently earned a prestigious honor for their program — a 5 Start Step Up to Quality rating. The Tiffin Seneca Child Care Center was first established in September 1971 for preschool children of employed parents and adult students. The center has been housed at Trinity United Church of Christ, 131 E. Perry St., and is licensed by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and guided by a nine member board of directors. In 1974 the TSCCC became a United Way agency, which allowed families to apply for a reduction if they are unable to pay for the full tuition. The program also participates in the USDA meal program to provide healthy meals and snacks to children. A cook is also on staff at no additional cost to families. The center is the only child care center serving children ages six-weeks through 12 years old in Tiffin to receive this award, Kelly Showman, director of TSCCC, said. Showman said she and her assistant director Mindy Caudill have been working hard to earn this award. "I can't believe we finally did it," Showman said. "We are proud of our staff for sticking together and helping each other maintain clear focus and stay dedicated for our families and kiddos." Star ratings are awarded only to learning and development programs that exceed licensing standards and are committed to — continuous quality improvement, continuing education of teachers, utilizing learning and development standards to support children's learning and relationship-building with families and communities. High-quality early learning and development experiences provide the basis for the brain's development and impacts how successful children are in kindergarten and beyond. According to Showman, their curriculum is required to be aligned to the early learning content standards put out by the Ohio Department of Education. Teachers are required to meet with families to make individual goals and form lesson plans around those goals and to host parent/teacher conferences to discuss progress. Teachers — 75% — at TSCCC have degrees in early childhood education with 50% of aids having degrees in early childhood education as well, Showman said. "All staff members are required to have 15 hours of continuing education hours annually that is linked to goal-based objectives upon reviews and professional development plans," Showman said. There is also a required educational training for families with the goal to help educate them on child development. There also are family activities to support family involvement in their child's education. Step Up To Quality has been able to expand to include school districts, child care centers and small and large family child care homes using a $70 million Federal Race to the Top — Early Learning Challenge Grant to improve school readiness for children. For more information about the Tiffin Seneca Childcare Center, call (419) 447-3382. For more information about Step Up to Quality, visit www.earlychildhoodohio.org.