The Kids Learning Place Head Start classroom housed at Indian Lake Elementary School recently received a five-star rating for quality standards over and above the health and safety licensing requirements.
Head teacher Michelle Parsell explains the Step Up to Quality Award is the highest rating possible from the Ohio Department of Education and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
“It’s really an accomplishment to earn five stars,” Parsell says. “It takes an incredible amount of documentation and classroom dedication, but our students and families definitely deserve the best.”
To achieve this award, a classroom must meet high standards in: learning and development, administrative and leadership practices, staff qualifications and professional development and family and community partnerships.
Along with Parsell, Indian Lake’s Head Start classroom includes two aides to serve 20 students five days a week during the school year. Speech and vision services are offered and additional assistance comes from select Ohio Hi-Point Career Center students studying early childhood development.
The Kids Learning Place Head Start is funded through the Council of Rural Services from Miami County. This is the second year the Indian Lake Elementary School has housed a classroom.
Parsell says enrollment for next year is underway. For more information call (937)292-3092 or apply at www.kidslearningplace.org.