The staff of the HCC Child Care Center has much to celebrate. The North Carolina Division of Child Development recently notified personnel that the center has earned a five star rating. Pictured are center staff, from left, Cynthia Walker, Pauletta Smallwood, Vicki Brown, Catherine Robinson, Rhonda Johnston, and Leatrice Patillo.

The North Carolina Division of Child Development recently notified Halifax Community College (HCC) that the Child Care Center on campus has earned a five star rating, which is the highest rated license in the state’s licensing system. The N.C. Division of Child Development is part of the State of North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services. The HCC Child Care Center serves children ages 2-5.

In 2000, the Division of Child Development started issuing star rated licenses to all eligible child care centers and family child care homes. Facilities can receive between one and five stars, with one star meaning that the program meets the state’s minimum licensing standards for child care.

The rating system is comprised of three quality components including staff education, program standards and compliance history. Since 2005, programs have been phased into the revised two component license system including ratings on staff education and program standards to provide parents the best indication of quality.

Each component of the revised two component licensing system has a range of one to seven points. Centers can earn an additional point through voluntarily meeting enhanced standards in staff education and program standards.

“My staff and I were delighted upon receiving notification that the center had earned a five star rating. The N.C. Division of Child Development has once again recognized the Halifax Community College Child Care Center for the high quality of care provided to the children and families it serves. The child care staff is to be commended for a job well done,” said Vicki Brown, Child Care Center director.

“We thank the college administration, its maintenance staff, as well as the parents of the center for their support through the entire process,” Brown said. “We will continue the mission of our center—to offer a safe, nurturing environment for children and provide them with a foundation that allows for a lifetime of learning.”

For more information about the center or to get on the waiting list, call Brown at (252) 536-6385.