SUTQ Star Info

🌟 We’re a Step Up To Quality Gold Award Program!

Dear Families,

We’re thrilled to share some exciting news:
The Child Development Center of Jackson County has been awarded the Gold Award by Ohio’s Step Up To Quality program—a distinction given only to the top early childhood programs in the state.

This honor recognizes our commitment to excellence in early care and education. It means your child is enrolled in one of Ohio’s highest-rated programs, and we couldn’t be more proud.

🏆 What Is Step Up To Quality?

Step Up To Quality (SUTQ) is Ohio’s official quality rating and improvement system for early learning and development programs. It promotes standards that go beyond basic licensing requirements—focusing on what truly leads to better outcomes for children.

A Gold-rated program like ours meets rigorous benchmarks in:

• Curriculum & Assessment
  We use a comprehensive, research-based curriculum aligned with Ohio’s Early Learning and Development Standards and the Science of Reading.

• Staff Qualifications & Training
  Our administrator and over half of our teachers hold degrees or credentials in early childhood education. All staff complete ongoing professional development to stay current with best practices.

• Smaller Group Sizes & Lower Ratios
  Especially in infant and preschool rooms, allowing for more individualized attention and stronger developmental support.

• Intentional Teaching & Screening
  We conduct developmental screenings and use data to plan meaningful learning experiences tailored to each child.

• Family Engagement & Staff Support
  We offer benefits to staff, conduct regular evaluations, and build strong partnerships with families to support children’s growth.

💛 Support for Families Through Ohio JFS

We proudly work with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (JFS) to support families who qualify for child care assistance. JFS offers financial help to eligible parents who are working, attending school, or participating in job training.

If you think you may qualify or want to learn more, visit Ohio JFS Child Care Assistance or contact your local JFS office.

🌈 This Award Belongs to You, Too

Your trust and support inspire us every day. Together, we’ve created a place where children feel confident, curious, and excited to learn. Our goal is to nurture self-esteem, social-emotional skills, and a lifelong love of learning.

We tell our children to reach for the stars—and today, it feels like they’re within our grasp.

With gratitude,
CDC Director