North Carolina Partnership for Children gave Richmond County pre-kindergarten child care facilities 3.46 out of a possible 5 stars for average overall quality. The state average, by comparison, was 3.25.
“We have worked really hard to address the criteria that increase those ratings,” said Martha Vance Brown, executive director of Richmond County Partnership for Children.
“Quality care ensures that each child is ready to learn when they go to school, which creates better future citizens for Richmond County.”
Regulated pre-school child care programs are rated on a scale of one to five stars based on educational program quality and level of staff education assessed by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.
“The Partnership offers a variety of resources for child care providers, like classroom supplies, grants and educational incentives” said Partnership for Children Treasurer Tommy Jarrell. “We have come a long way in the past eight or nine years, and we have built a strong foundation for future success.”
“Whatever you need, they come to your facility and help you,” said Lorrie McKenzie, owner of Kidz Konstruction in Hamlet. “The grants that we receive greatly improve our overall ratings and the quality of care for our children.”
The Partnership remains committed to its goal of continual improvement in spite of a recent state budget cut that will decrease funding by $67,363.
“We have had to re-align existing dollars and re-allocate grants,” said Brown, adding that current funding only meets 41 percent of the Partnership’s goal, or 25 percent of its actual need.
“We hope that there will be no additional cuts, and we encourage every citizen to stay informed of where our local and state elected officials stand on child care issues.”
“Hopefully we will still make great strides and improvements,” said Jarrell. “We have a great staff, they’re doing a wonderful job, and the best is yet to come.”
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