Of the providers rated so far, the Wentworth site is the only Head Start Center in the state to receive the five star rating. Child care providers earn more points for having a high quality learning environment, a staff with more early childhood education or experience, and a high rate of compliance with child care regulations. The more points earned, the more stars granted the child care provider. The N.C. Division of Child Development created the star system so that parents can get a clearer picture of the quality of care a child may receive from a particular provider. Division Director Stephanie Fanjul noted that parents need more information when choosing a care provider.
Parents deserve a similar rating system for child care centers.
All centers and family child care homes in North Carolina will ultimately be licensed with a one to five star rating. A center must receive one star in order to be licensed, but providers who achieve more points than the mandatory may receive up to five stars. Head Start Director Bennie Totten is pleased by the five star rating. Parents in particular have been really excited about the rating. Ricky Graves, chairperson of the Head Start Policy Council, agreed that a team approach was crucial to achieving this rating.