Five Child Care of Southwest Florida locations earn five-star ratings from Early Learning Coalition

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Sept. 6, 2018) – Child Care of Southwest Florida has announced that five of its learning centers have earned five-star ratings, the highest classification, from the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida.

The top rating indicates that Child Care of Southwest Florida (CCSWFL) is offering a safe, high-quality educational environment for the children it serves.

“We gladly welcome the Coalition’s ratings team into our learning centers to showcase our curriculum, academic programs and highly trained staff,” said Chris Hansen, CEO of Child Care of Southwest Florida. “Very few child care providers in this area earn five-star ratings, so it’s especially gratifying to know that we are setting the industry standard and defining what it means to be a high-quality early learning center.”

Through the Early Learning Coalition’s “Southwest Florida Stars” program, evaluation teams rate child care centers in six areas: health and safety; professional development and staff qualifications; learning environment and classroom interactions; screening, assessment and curriculum; family and community relationships; and professional responsibility. “Southwest Florida Stars” is a voluntary accreditation program.

Child Care of Southwest Florida locations earning five-star ratings include The Children’s Learning Center at FSW (Fort Myers), Joseph H. Messina Children’s Center (Fort Myers), The Community Children’s Center (Lehigh Acres), Children’s Garden of LaBelle (LaBelle) and Harlem Academy Child Care Center (Clewiston). Both Hendry County centers improved from four to five stars this year, while the trio of Lee locations have maintained their excellent five-star ratings for the past four years.

All Child Care of Southwest Florida centers are accredited through the National Accreditation Commission for Early Learning Leaders and recognized as Gold Seal Quality Care Programs through the Florida Department of Children and Families.

“Choosing an accredited child care center is a critically important decision for parents because those initial years set the foundation for a child’s lifelong learning, which includes social, emotional and academic learning,” said Angela Anderson, Child Care of Southwest Florida’s education program manager. “We try to partner with parents to strengthen the school-to-home bridge, knowing parental involvement coupled with a strong early childhood education are key factors that predict future academic success.”

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 600 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 of CCSWFL’s six 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.