By Taylor Boyd
STEP Inc.’s Stuart Early Head Start and Headstart Center was recognized as one of the 216 statewide sites that demonstrated top performance in infant and toddler classrooms according to Virginia’s Quality Birth to Five Honor Roll for Infant and Toddler Quality.
This recognition places the Stuart site of STEP (Solutions That Empower People) within the top 10 percent statewide.
Director Tanya Huff said the recognition acknowledges that Step’s classrooms are dedicated to interacting with children in a positive way.
“Essentially it reinforces that we do offer a quality program to continue to be in Patrick County. We’re extremely proud of the teaching staff and thankful that we’re providing this awesome service to our families,” she said.
Noting that Patrick County doesn’t have a lot of childcare options, Huff said she wants everyone to know Step offers quality childcare that isn’t just daycare.
“The children actually receive educational services regardless of their age. So, whether it’s an infant or a preschooler, we’re ensuring that they’re meeting the standards and milestones that are appropriate for their age,” she said.
According to the site performance, Step received 541 interaction points and 100 curriculum points for a total of 641 points. This is an increase from the previous year’s site performance where it received 528 interaction points and 100 curriculum points.
The organization also exceeded expectations on observations of teacher-child interactions in infant classrooms, and met the expectations of observations of teacher-child interactions in the toddler classrooms and preschool classrooms.
“When our class observer goes into a classroom to assess the teachers, they look at different areas and based on what they see, they award points. The Patrick County Early Headstart classroom is being recognized by their interaction with the children,” Huff said.
Huff said 16 children are served between Step’s two Early Head Start classrooms. Each classroom has two adults working in them and a student limit of eight.
In addition to these two classrooms, Huff said there’s a Head Start Classroom onsite in Stuart and at Patrick Springs Primary School. Five Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) students within Stuart Elementary School are also served.
“So those students are dually enrolled – they’re Head Start students but also attend pre-k classrooms,” she added.
Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) Chief of Early Learning and Specialized Populations Jenna Conway said the Honor Rolls are Virginia’s new way to elevate both excellence and improvement.
“With its focus on teacher-child interactions, VQB5 sets high expectations for care and instruction for our littlest learners and then ensures that educators across more than 11,000 classrooms receive individualized feedback multiple times a year,” Conway said.
Those wishing to enroll their children in the program should go to the Stuart location or to www.Smart2Start.org to complete an application.
Once the application is completed, Huff said a family advocate will then reach out for the necessary documentation and information before the application goes through a screening process where points are awarded.
“The children that are in the most need are accepted into our program,” she said.
As it has a rolling enrollment, Huff said Step likes to keep a healthy waiting list so it can immediately serve the next child if a spot becomes available.
In addition to its educational services, Huff said Step also launched a diaper bank earlier this year.
“Parents sign up and once a month they can get diapers. We also offer adult diapers, so it’s not just for children it’s also for adults that are in need,” she said.
Those interested in this program should email Vice-President of Planning and Development Kathleen Duncan at Kathleen.Duncan@stepincva.com.
For more information about Step’s child education services, go to www.stepincva.com, or call (276) 694-2239.
