September 8 (TODAY!) is International Literacy Day, but what exactly does literacy mean? Miriam-Webster defines it as “the quality or state of being literate: educated…able to read and write.”
Research shows children who are in quality childcare and/or early-learning programs are more prepared for Kindergarten; with better reading skills, more math skills, and larger vocabularies. These are some of the reasons Bloomingdale Day Care now partners with Grow NJ Kids!
⭐️ They are a state-sponsored initiative raising the quality of childcare and early-learning throughout New Jersey
⭐️ They provide centers with resources to assess and improve programs, while also providing parents with information to evaluate the quality and make the best choices for their child
⭐️ They are part of a national effort: more than 40 other states are at some stage of launching their effort to improve childcare and early-learning quality.
Grow NJ Kids provides training and incentives to make improvements to centers and then communicates their level of quality to the public. The goal is to create a system that encourages ongoing improvement by providing families with an objective rating system. A program can earn up to five stars, giving parents a way to compare and make an educated decision about what is best for their child.
To receive a Grow NJ Kids star rating; a program must complete a thorough self-assessment, work with trained professionals to address areas needing improvement, and then go through a comprehensive on-site review conducted by a trained rater. Based on the assessments, a program is given a star rating (up to 5 stars). The ratings are valid for three years from the review date and the requirements increase as programs move up the system.
There are many things to think about when looking for childcare; you want to find a program that’s convenient, open when you need it, and within your budget. Most importantly; you need childcare that values safety, health, and learning! The standards are high and reaching the highest-quality rating is a long-term process. Programs participating in Grow NJ Kids are committed to making improvements that help prepare kids for school and life.
For a short video on how Grow NJ Kids works, please click here. If you have any questions or additional thoughts, please contact us at (973) 838-2459 or bloomingdaledaycare@gmail.com.
