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Event Commemorates Chillicothe Child Development Center Agencies that Exceed Professional Accreditation Standards
The child development center on the Ohio University-Chillicothe campus recognized agencies at the center that have reached standards that exceed professional licensure criteria. The “Center of Excellence Celebration Luncheon” on Friday, Feb. 12, commemorated the spirit of quality that has marked the Ross County/Ohio University-Chillicothe Child Development and Family Service Center since the center opened its doors three years ago.
The agencies that were recognized include:
- Chillicothe City Schools and the National Association for the Education of Young Children program. The NAEYC is dedicated to improving the well-being of young children, with particular focus on the quality of educational and developmental services of children from birth through age 8. Accreditation is a year-long process and is for five years.
- Head Start and the Step Up to Quality program. This rating system recognizes early care and education programs that meet quality benchmarks above the minimum health and safety licensing standards. Benchmarks include low child to staff rations, group size, accreditation, staff education, specialized training, improved workplace characteristics and early learning standards.
- Ross County Development Disability and Quality Services Accreditation. The preschool special education programs meet the needs of children, ages 3 through 5, with disabilities. The development disabilities classes at the center are accredited with quality services certification through 2012.
Further, two gifts to the center were announced during Friday’s event. Sue Sherman of the Ross County Health Department is making a gift of $2,050 in physical fitness equipment. Rick Marriott is giving $5,564 for playground equipment on behalf of the Ross County Development Disability.
It was noted during the event that President Barack Obama stated, “We should raise the bar when it comes to early learning programs … a child’s most formative years.” As the agencies’ advanced accreditations prove, the center has stepped up and met that challenge.
“Since its beginning, the Child Development Center has offered a classic example of what can occur when individuals of a range of skills and expertise are brought together for a common purpose,” OU-C Dean Richard Bebee said. “With the Child Development Center, that purpose has always been improving the quality of life for residents of this great region. The success of these facilities is a tribute to the qualities that make Ross County such an exceptional place to live and raise a family.”
After being in operation for more than three years, the center continues to meet and exceed its lofty expectations. The center serves the community by providing high quality educational experiences for children and providing valuable practical experience for OU-C students. More than 300 local children and six local agencies utilize the center. Additionally, OU-C students, primarily education majors, take classes in the center.
“The success of these agencies we are recognizing today demonstrates in a very tangible way that these expectations are being met and the bar is being continually raised,” Bebee said. “Further, the center’s impact will be felt far into the future as the center continues to serve as a gateway to opportunity.”
In building on that forward-looking theme, OU-C early childhood education faculty member Jamie Harmount said, “Research shows that high quality preschool programs help prepare students for future success.”
The center began operations Jan. 2, 2007, after ground was broken Sept. 15, 2005. The $3.4 million, 21,000-square-foot facility is debt-free. It includes 13 classrooms, 3 small attached playground areas, 5 therapy rooms for children/infants with disabilities, a courtyard, an inside ‘town square’ commons area, a conference room, a nurse’s room, receptionist area, full-service kitchen and 8 small offices.
Agencies and organizations currently utilizing the center and providing services to children include:
- Ohio University-Chillicothe early childhood education program and OU-C nursing program.
- Ross County Board of Development Disabilities early intervention and therapy programs.
- Head Start pre-school and early learning initiative programs.
- Ross County Job and Family Services Discovery Tree Family Resources Program, and Children and Family First Council.
- Walnut Street United Methodist Church WeeCare Outreach program for young parents and their infants.
- Chillicothe City School District early childhood education program.
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