Children's Enrichment Center receives high marks from state

Grand Valley’s Children’s Enrichment Center has been awarded four stars by Great Start to Quality, a program through the Michigan Department of Education and the state’s first rating and improvement system for early learning and care.

Programs and providers can earn between one and five stars based on the number of state standards they meet. The stars rating system started in 2012 and includes five categories: staff qualifications, family/community engagement, management, learning environment and curriculum. 

“We are very proud of the Children’s Enrichment Center’s current rating,” said Sharalle Arnold, director of CEC. “Participating in the program allows us to continually improve and assess our programs, and it gives our children and families access to a high quality program.” 

About one-third of all licensed child care providers are participating in the program, which is implemented by Early Childhood Investment Corp., a nonprofit organization.

The 42-year-old Children’s Enrichment Center provides early care and education for children of student parents, faculty and staff members, and community members. Learn more at www.gvsu.edu/child or www.greatstartconnect.org.