All 6 Child Care of SWFL centers earn 5-star rating from Early Learning Coalition of SWFL

FORT MYERS, Fla. - July 24, 2019 - PRLog -- Accreditation teams from the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida have awarded five-star ratings to all six learning centers operated by Child Care of Southwest Florida.

The Early Learning Coalition's "Southwest Florida Stars" program evaluates local child care centers in three quality areas: learning environment and classroom interactions; screening, assessment and curriculum; and professional development and staff qualifications. Additional points are awarded for maintaining specific student-to-teacher ratios and class sizes, as well as achieving outside accreditation.

This is the first time all six of the agency's centers have earned the Coalition's highest classification in the same year.

"The evaluation process is very rigorous and time consuming, but we welcome feedback from the Coalition's accreditation team to help improve our curriculum and operations," said Chris Hansen, CEO of Child Care of Southwest Florida. "Having all six centers earn five-star ratings is an incredible accomplishment, and that achievement certainly indicates the level of education and care that parents can expect when they enroll their children in one of our centers."

"Southwest Florida Stars" is a voluntary quality assessment for child care program.

Child Care of Southwest Florida operates centers in Lee and Hendry counties, including The Children's Learning Center at FSW (Fort Myers), Joseph H. Messina Children's Center (Fort Myers), P.A. Geraci Child Development Center (Fort Myers), The Community Children's Center (Lehigh Acres), Children's Garden of LaBelle (LaBelle) and Harlem Academy Child Care Center (Clewiston).

"We take great pride in offering a safe, high-quality educational environment, and that's why our children are so well-prepared academically, socially and emotionally by the time they enter kindergarten," said Angela Anderson, education program manager for Child Care of Southwest Florida. "Earning the five-star rating means we're helping to set the industry standard as a provider of high-quality early childhood education."

About Child Care of Southwest Florida

Child Care of Southwest Florida, Inc. a nonprofit early childhood education provider with six learning centers in Lee and Hendry counties that serve more than 500 children from 6 weeks to 8 years old. Each center is accredited through the National Accreditation Commission for Early Learning Leaders and is recognized as a Gold Seal Quality Care Program through the Florida Department of Children and Families. Five CCSWFL locations have five-star ratings through the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida. CCSWFL follows the nationally recognized, research-based Creative Curriculum, with a goal of creating safe, nurturing learning environments that develop young minds, support families, strengthen the community and secure the future. Through its participation in the USDA's Child Food Care Program, each child has access to a healthy, nutritious breakfast, lunch and snacks. Sponsor, volunteer and donation opportunities are available. For more information, please visit ccswfl.org (http://www.ccswfl.org/).