Accreditation & Quality Rating
State Licensed
All Growing Kids Learning Centers are state licensed – meeting or exceeding the highest state standards for quality and safety. This is important because MOST PROVIDERS ARE NOT LICENSED. Indiana’s child care regulations are unusual and often confusing.
Legal loopholes allow most providers to sidestep child care center licensing completely.
Here are a few facts that put this important feature in perspective:
- Indiana recognizes five different types of child care providers – with huge differences in what is required of each. Licensed Centers like Growing Kids have the highest state standards
- Any provider affiliated with a IRS-recognized religious organization has the option to be Registered, not licensed
- Examples of License Exempt Providers include public school after-school programs, any program operating 90 days or less (like a summer camp) or any program operating for less than 4 hours a day (like many part-time “preschools”)
- Key factors in child care quality include fewer students per teacher and smaller class sizes. Registered Ministries and Licensed Exempt Providers have no legal limit on either of these factors
- Registered Ministries and Licensed Exempt Providers have no state-required education or training requirements for their “teachers”
- Fire, safety and health standards are higher for Licensed Centers like Growing Kids, with state-of-the-art alarm systems, ongoing staff training and monthly safety drills for the kids
Don’t just take our word for it. Check out this Indiana University study. Compare the regulations and see for yourself the huge difference in what is required of each.
Day Care Ministries Regulations (PDF)
Licensed Centers Regulations (PDF)
Legal License Exemptions (https://www.in.gov/fssa/carefinder/files/Exemptions.pdf)
Nationally Accredited
National accreditation is a higher level of quality standards that few centers achieve. Nationally accredited providers have voluntarily chosen to meet the highest national standards, above and beyond state requirements. Accredited through NECPA (National Early Childhood Program Accreditation), Growing Kids must follow the rigorous guidelines and inspections required by this nationally recognized early childhood education organization. This involves a process of self-study (including parent and staff surveys), a verification visit by early childhood education/child care professionals, and a final review by the NECPA Board of Commissioners. Standards of quality include administration, staff development and the working environment, the developmental program, outdoor and indoor environments, health and safety, and parent and community relations. Other accrediting organizations include NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children), and COA (Council on Accreditation).
Paths to Quality 4-Star Rating
Paths to Quality (PTQ) is Indiana’s child care quality rating system. This voluntary program rates providers on a 1 – 4 star scale, with 4 being the highest.
Growing Kids has also obtained the highest rating available (4 star) with the Paths to Quality program.
Participation in accreditation and Paths to Quality is voluntary. It demonstrates our dedication to provide the quality care and educational excellence your child deserves. It also provides you with peace of mind that you’ve made the right choice for your child.
To learn more about NECPA and Paths to Quality click on the links below:
– https://necpa.net/
– https://www.in.gov/fssa/pathstoquality/
