Looking for appropriate childcare fills many parents with anxiety. That’s because every parent is looking for certain requirements that are the hallmarks of a quality childcare program. It’s a long list, and it can be difficult to find a match for your child. The top concerns are usually safety, location, staffing, and quality educational programs.
Tiny Tot Child Development Center, located in Rochester, is a rarity among childcare facilities that offer preschool and daycare in Beaver County: this center carries a 4-star Keystone STARS rating. Keystone STARS is a quality rating system with four STAR levels, from one star to four stars. Each STAR level has certain requirements in staff development, practices, education, and training; a low ratio of teachers to children per classroom; parental involvement; and the delivery and quality of programs offered at a facility. It’s a voluntary program established by the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning, and it highlights the commitment that providers have to early childhood education in our area.
A Keystone STARS designation also earns providers merit awards that they can use for improvements at their facility—whether it’s to purchase equipment, computers, or learning materials, to increase training opportunities, or to provide staff with upgraded pay and benefits.
As a Keystone STAR 4 provider, Tiny Tot’s staff is able to provide an individualized, quality learning experience that not only enhances kids’ potential, but also prepares them to be successful after transitioning to kindergarten. A recent study has stated that 98% of preschoolers in Keystone STAR 3 and 4 programs showed age-appropriate or emerging age-appropriate language, math, and social skills after attending one of the these programs in the last year. For more information about Keystone STARS, you can visit www.papromiseforchildren.com.
You can take a tour of Tiny Tots at any time, but here are my impressions from my recent visit there:
Classrooms. When I went to review Tiny Tots, I was surprised at the size of the classrooms. Most of them were very large, with many, many activities available in each room for the kids to learn from and play with. (There are pictures of some of the classrooms below.) The rooms are divided by age groups, from 2 1/2 to 5 years old, in most instances.
Staffing. Most of the staff at Tiny Tots has degrees in early childhood education and many have advanced degrees. All together, they have dozens and dozens of years of experience teaching young children. It’s clear that they love interacting with the kids. Tiny Tot staff also operates on very low turnover—if you’re familiar with childcare, you know that’s unusual!
Programs. Tiny Tots has a full slate of programs for children. They include:
- Preschool—2 ½ hours for both morning and afternoon sessions for children ages 3 and 4).
- Childcare/daycare—Services are offered from 6 a.m. - 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.
- Early Intervention—Tiny Tots contracts with the Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit to provide early childhood services to kids, including speech, physical, and occupational therapy. Through this collaboration, children and families can have a team that will work with them and promote their development.
If you’re looking for an engaging program with knowledgeable staff that will tailor your child’s learning to his or her needs, visit Tiny Tots. You can call and make an appointment, but you’re welcome to stop by any time, take a tour, and talk to the teaching staff. Financial assistance may be available for families who qualify as well.
Tiny Tot Child Development Center is located in the Education Wing of Grace Lutheran Church at the Jackson Street entrance. The address is 393 Adams Street, Rochester, PA 15074. Their website is www.tinytotcdc.org, and they have a Facebook page. Staff can be contacted at 724-774-4140.
