Last week, it was announced that our Pre-K program at Wells Village School is a 5 Star Program! What does it mean to be a 5 Star Program?
Wells Village School Preschool is a prequalified program per ACT 166, Universal Preschool. Thus, our program is required to adhere to a set of standards, including STARS. STARS is Vermont’s Quality Recognition and Improvement System for child care, preschool, and afterschool programs.
Child care providers may apply for STARS recognition in four areas:
- Staff qualifications and training.
- Support of children, families, and communities.
- Program assessment and improvement.
- Operating policies and business practices.
Every 3 years there is an application process, evidence is sent in, and the result is your STAR rating for quality programming. Receiving 5 STARS, as Wells Village School Preschool has, means we are outstanding in all four of the above areas. Many five-star programs are also nationally accredited. 5 STARS also demonstrates we are a program striving beyond licensing regulations to meet higher quality standards, uphold professional practices, and commit to continuous quality improvement.
We also are eligible for a bonus payment of $1,550.00 for achieving the five-star level for the first time.
