Defining Quality Child Care & Keystone STARS

Quality child care will offer your child a stimulating, nurturing environment which should help prepare them for school and to reach his or her full potential. Quality care environments far exceed minimum standards set by the state and provide a stimulating, loving atmosphere in which your child will mentally, socially, emotionally and physically thrive.

Types of Child Care

You should choose the most appropriate child care program that meets your child and family needs. There are four types of care:

1. Child Care Center

• Serves seven or more children unrelated to the child care operator.
• State certification required, based on health and safety.
• Voluntary participation in Keystone STARS or other types of accreditation at discretion of the program.

2. Group Home

• Serves between seven and 12 children unrelated to the child care operator.
• State certification required, based on health and safety.
• Voluntary participation in Keystone STARS or other types of accreditation at discretion of the program.

3. Family Home

• One caregiver who serves between four and six children unrelated to the caregiver.
• State registration required, based on health and safety.
• Voluntary participation in Keystone STARS or other types of accreditation at discretion of the program.

4. Relative/Neighbor care

• One caregiver who cares for one, two or three children who are not related to the caregiver and up to three additional children who are related to caregiver.
• No state oversight. No health and safety requirements.
• Unable to participate in accrediting programs.

What Does Keystone STARS Mean?

Keystone STARS (Standards, Training/Professional Development, Assistance, Resources, Support) provides families with a tool to gauge the quality of child care programs. The STARS program supports child care programs in the commitment to continuous quality improvement. Programs may enter Keystone STARS at the "Start with STARS" level and earn a STAR 1 through STAR 4 rating using research-based standards that measure four areas that make a difference in the quality of care your child receives:

• The educated and well-trained staff.
• The environment your child is in everyday.
• Leadership and management.
• Family and community partnerships.

As a program moves from STAR 1 to STAR 4, the requirements in these areas increase.  You can also locate a Keystone STARS facility in your area, search here.

More About Keystone STARS

At A Keystone STARS Program, You Should Find:

• Department of Public Welfare Certificate of Compliance for Centers or registration for Family Homes.
• A comfortable place where your child can explore and learn.
• Laughing, reading and talking which builds language skills.
• Teachers learning new ways to help your child succeed.
• A safe, healthy and exciting place.
• Music, art, science and play activities that increase school readiness.
• Your child feeling good about his/her self.
• Family involvement.
• Teachers that listen to children and parents.
• Children having fun together and being respectful of each other.

Keystone STARS Questions and Answers

Q: Why should parents care about Keystone STARS?

A: Your child’s early education is critical to his or her development and future success in school and life. Keystone STARS sets requirements for early childhood educators to promote the best learning environment and safest setting possible for your child.

Q: What are the requirements set by Keystone STARS?

A: Quality ratings are based on four areas:

1. Staff education – early childhood educators have the training and knowledge to interact properly with children.
2. Learning environment – program has appropriate materials for a variety of ages and provides opportunities for children to learn on a daily basis.
3. Leadership and management – a well-run business has policies and plans in effect to not only optimize safety, but also for parents to know what will happen in certain situations.
4. Family and community partnerships – Parents and community stakeholders are encouraged to offer ideas and feedback regarding the learning program.

Q: How does Keystone STARS rate a program?

A: A program begins Keystone STARS with a “Start with STARS” rating and can work its way to a STAR 1, STAR 2, STAR 3 until it becomes a top-rated STAR 4 program.

Q: What is the difference between a STAR 1 and higher STAR ratings?

A: Programs are rated using the four quality areas, but the requirements increase in each area for each STAR level. Please speak with your local Child Care Information Services (CCIS) for details of STAR level requirements.

Q: The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (DPW) certifies programs. Isn’t that good enough?

A: A certified center does meet Pennsylvania’s minimum requirements for safety. However, certification does not address Early Education. Keystone STARS programs combine these safety requirements with Early Education standards to give children a safe and an educational environment.

Q: Does it cost more to enroll my child in a Keystone STARS program?

A: Providers enroll voluntarily in the Keystone STARS program and there are no charges for the provider to enroll. Costs to parents are set only by the provider themselves.

Q: What will my child get out of being enrolled in a Keystone STARS program?

A: Many things! Individual attention, daily learning activities, a safe, friendly and respectful environment, feeling good about himself or herself, a well educated staff, parent involvement and more.

Q: What do parents get out of enrolling their children in a Keystone STARS program?

A: Knowing that your child is safe and respected, that your child is learning something new every day, and the security of knowing what to expect from your provider in certain situations. Most of all, giving your child the best opportunity to succeed today and in the future.