Children's Learning Center Earns Keystone Stars Grant
Published 03.20.2009
Pennsylvania College of Technology's Children's Learning Center has received a Keystone Stars Merit Award of $49,570 for 2008-09.
The center uses the funds for staff development, the purchase of toys and furniture for the children, accreditation-related expenses, special health and nutrition activities, and family events.
Grant-funded activities have included attendance by two staff members at the conference of the National Association for the Education of Young Children in Dallas and by three employees at the Early Childhood Summit in State College. Also included was a fall Welcome Back Night for parents; a Hiawatha Paddlewheel Riverboat cruise in Williamsport and picnic supper is planned for the families in May.
Keystone Stars is an initiative of the state Office of Child Development and Early Learning to improve, support and recognize the continuous quality-improvement efforts of Pennsylvania's early learning and school-age programs.
The intent of the Stars Merit Award is to support continuous quality improvement in early learning and school-age programs by encouraging and supporting them in developing and sustaining higher levels of quality, strengthening outcomes for children and families, and improving school readiness.
To be eligible for the award, facilities must maintain at least a Star 2 designation through the Keystone Stars initiative. The Children's Learning Center is a Star 4 facility, the highest recognition level.
The Children's Learning Center at Penn College serves students, faculty and staff whose children need high-quality, on-campus care and early childhood education while their parents work or attend classes. The center cares for children between the ages of 18 months and up to preschool during the school year, and through age 6 during the summer.
The center is accredited by the NAEYC and the Middle States Commission on Elementary Education.
For more information about Penn College, visit online , e-mail or call toll-free (800) 367-9222.
For more information about grant-funding opportunities, faculty and staff may contact the Grants and Contracts Office at ext. 7562 or through its Web portal.