COOKEVILLE, Tenn. (Nov. 18, 2004) — Tennessee Tech University’s Child Development Lab has earned the highest possible rating for a child care center, according to the TN Star-Quality Child Care program.

The CDL received a three-star rating by scoring high marks in seven specific categories for child care centers — the director's qualifications; the teaching staff’s education, training and experience; compliance history; parent and family involvement; ratios and group sizes; staff pay and benefits; and on-site observations.

“I’m so proud of them,” said Darrell Garber, TTU’s College of Education dean. “They have worked hard and solved many issues along the way toward getting this three-star rating.”

Under the guidance of CDL Director Angie Smith, the center cares for about 50 children of faculty, students, staff and community members. The center employs 12 classroom staff, two office workers and about 30 student workers. The creative curriculum is play-based learning, designed to foster development, creativity and individuality.

“This rating means the CDL goes above and beyond what the Department of Human Services requires us to do,” said Smith.

Smith pointed to several examples of how the center excels: all lead teachers hold degrees, teachers’ aides are all working toward early development or child development associate’s degrees, and adult/child ratios are lower than most centers.

Launched in 2000 the TN Star-Quality Child Care program was created to improve child care and better educate parents about the quality of care their children are receiving.
This is the first time Tennessee Tech’s CDL has earned three stars.

For more information on the Star-Quality program, visit http://tnstarquality.org. For more information about the CDL, visit www.tntech.edu/cdl.

--Karen Lykins
This information posted 18 November 2004