By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

Young Impressions Child Care’s campuses in Alabaster and Calera have both earned star ratings from the Alabama Quality Rating and Improvement System, along with having been previously named Alabama prestige First Class Pre-K sites.

Both Young Impressions Child Care campuses were recently recognized by the state of Alabama for its ongoing efforts to provide quality early care and education above Alabama state minimum licensing requirements.

The designation came after significant preparation, which included extensive orientation sessions, staff enrollment in the Alabama Pathways Professional Development Registry and training on environment and administration assessments. The process culminated in a program review conducted by Alabama Quality STARS staff.

Alabama Began statewide implementation of the Quality Rating and Improvement System in February 2016. Participation in a QRIS gives early care and education programs the opportunity to assess and improve the quality of the services provided to children and families. Research on brain development shows the need to focus on quality early care and education as the foundation for children to be successful in school and in life.

“This accomplishment symbolizes our continued commitment to Quality Child Care,” said Young Impressions Director Yoko Brown. “Young Impressions Child Care I and II is honored to serve the families of this community by providing quality early care and education. This milestone means our staff will have program enhancement support and priority consideration for training and educational scholarships. We pledge to continue to strive to provide the highest quality early care and education possible.”