Beyond the ECL
What does it mean for a child care center to have a 5-star rating through KY All STARS?
Kentucky All STARS is the state’s quality rating an improvement system for early care and education centers. Centers with a rating of 1-star have met all regulatory requirements for licensing. Additional starts are earned based on a variety of criteria, including staff to child ratios, educational attainment of lead teachers, family and community engagement strategies, and administrative leadership practices. Use the following link to find a center’s All STAR’s rating: https://kynect.ky.gov/benefits/s/child-care-provider?origin=program-page&language=en_US
What does it mean for a child care center to be accredited by NAEYC?
NAEYC stands for the National Association for the Education of Young Children, and it is the leading professional organization for high-quality early learning for children birth through age 8. NAEYC accreditation denotates that a program has met NAEYC’s 10 standards for high-quality early childhood education. Use the following link to find NAEYC accredited centers: https://ais.naeyc.org/search_programs
Who should I contact if I have concerns about my child’s development?
First and foremost, make sure your child’s pediatrician is aware of your concerns. For children ages birth to 2 years, contact the Kentucky Early Intervention System (https://www.chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dph/dmch/ecdb/Pages/keis.aspx). For children ages 3 to 5 years and residing Fayette County, contact the Fayette County Public School System’s Office of Early Childhood Education (https://www.fcps.net/leaders-support/departments-offices/early-childhood-education/early-childhood-education).
Are there financial supports available to assist Kentucky families with the cost of child care?
The Kentucky Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) helps eligible families pay for child care. More information can be found at: https://kynect.ky.gov/benefits/s/child-care-program?language=en_US&interpreterLang=
If my child is enrolled at the ECL, can they also receive related therapy services (e.g., occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech, applied behavior analysis) through the Fayette County Public School System or UK Healthcare?
Children at the ECL may qualify to receive school-based related services provided by the Fayette County Public School System if mandated within a child’s Individualized Education Program. The ECL does not offer related therapy services in collaboration with UK Healthcare. Please consult with your child’s pediatrician regarding a referral for such services.
Additional Information
Additional questions may be directed to Dr. Collin Shepley (collinshepley@uky.edu).