Gov. Minner Signs Bill Creating Delaware Stars for Early Success Program
Dover – Governor Ruth Ann Minner today signed Senate Bill 222 establishing the Delaware Stars for Early Success program, a voluntary quality rating and improvement plan to assist families in selecting early childhood services for their children and to improve the quality of early childhood programs in the state.
“Delaware Stars for Early Success will increase access to quality early care and education for all of Delaware’s children, with a special focus on children and families with lower incomes,” said Governor Minner during the ceremony at the Delaware Technical and Community College’s Child Development Center, Terry Campus. “Our early childhood programs reach children at a critical age, and we want to ensure they gain the skills they need to achieve success once they start kindergarten.”
Under Senate Bill 222, sponsored by Senator Patricia Blevins, the Delaware Stars for Early Success is a five-level system that builds on licensing rules, setting increasingly higher standards at each star level in the following areas:
• Qualifications and Professional Development;
• Learning Environment and Curriculum;
• Family and Community Partnerships; and
• Management and Administration.
Early childhood programs work through the levels with financial help and technical assistance, as well as recognition awards. All types of early childhood programs may participate – child care centers, family child care homes, preschools, after school programs, Head Start programs and Early Childhood Assistance Programs.
“This is an important step toward providing high-quality child care, which will help prepare our children for success in grade school and later life," Sen. Blevins said.
Delaware Stars is part of Delaware’s plan for early childhood called Early Success. A pilot program started in 2007 with 15 early childhood programs. By the end of this year, 75 early childhood programs will be part of Delaware Stars.
At today’s bill signing, Governor Minner acknowledged the hard work and dedication of the Delaware Early Childhood Council, as well as the generous support of the Delaware Business Roundtable, United Way of Delaware, Nemours Health and Prevention Services, JPMorgan Chase and Social Venture Partners Delaware.
