VGCC Day Care Awarded Five Stars
The state of North Carolina has once again awarded a five-star license — the highest possible rating — to the Day Care Center at Vance-Granville Community College’s Main Campus.
“This state evaluation measures quality in child care programs and is done only once every three years,” Day Care Center Manager Denise Gill explained. “On a scale of one to 15 points, our program scored 14 total points, and we have again been awarded the highest rated license available to child care facilities.” Gill expressed her pleasure at earning the high rating and said she was especially pleased for what it means to the children. “There is a direct link between the number of stars earned and the quality of care at a center,” Gill said. “The five-star rating shows everyone that we give the best quality of child care available.”
Since the Division of Child Development of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services began the current system of rating child care centers in 2000, the centers on VGCC’s Main Campus and VGCC’s Franklin County Campus have both earned the five-star rating in four consecutive evaluations (2001, 2004, 2007 and 2010).
After visits by fire and sanitarian inspectors and a state licensing consultant, two state-appointed evaluators spent two half-days at the Main Campus Day Care Center. They rated the center in two categories – staff education and program standards. The Day Care Center received a perfect score of seven points in the area of education. Program standards were measured using Classroom Rating Scales, on which VGCC scored above average. Finally, the center was eligible for one bonus point because all of its teachers have associate’s degrees in early childhood education, for a total of 14 out of a possible 15 points. “I am proud of our staff and their hard work,” Gill said. “This evaluation was the culmination of months of self-evaluation. Throughout this process, our staff members have demonstrated their diligence and dedication to ensuring that we maintain the best possible care for the children we serve.”
Gill pointed out that not only does the center provide outstanding child care, but it also affords an excellent environment for students in Vance-Granville’s Early Childhood Associate program to gain practical training. The VGCC Day Care Center is licensed to accommodate 38 children, toddler to four years old. Parents may put their children on a waiting list. For more information, call Denise Gill at (252) 738-3220.
Above: The teaching staff of the VGCC Day Care Center, including, from left, Kathy Hughes, Rhonda Pegram, Pam Harris, Ellen Wilkerson and Deborah Harris, proudly display the certificate indicating the center’s renewed five-star license. (VGCC Photo)
