Participating center directors will receive a sign to display in their centers and light refreshments will be served. During the first year of the project, Professional Development System sites will implement a plan to improve the quality of their programs. Faculty members from the Education of Young Children program at UNCW will consult with the staff of each program to help them develop and carry out their plan. Each site will choose a particular area of their program, such as the activities they offer or teacher-child interactions, and work to become a model of excellence in that area during the first year. Under this system, facilities can earn from one to five stars based on the education of their staff, their program standards, and their compliance with state regulations.
More stars indicate a higher quality facility.
Some of the sites also will work toward accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Participating sites will be eligible for financial assistance from Smart Start as well as professional consultation from UNCW faculty to help them reach their goals. Both families in New Hanover County and students at UNCW will benefit from these efforts.