03/25/09 - Institute’s new preschool awarded Tennessee’s highest rating

Date: March 25, 2009
Contact: Seth Seymour
423.648.1709
seth.seymour@siskin.org

Siskin Children’s Institute’s new preschool awarded Tennessee’s highest rating
Siskin Early Learning Center-East Brainerd earns three-star designation from state

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Siskin Children’s Institute’s new preschool and child care center in East Brainerd has been awarded the highest rating possible from the Tennessee Department of Human Services.

The Siskin Early Learning Center-East Brainerd earned three stars — the most possible — from the Tennessee Report Card and Star Quality Program. The center received an overall assessment score of 6.57 out of a possible 7 points.

The center, which opened in August 2008, provides an inclusive learning experience for children with and without disabilities ages birth to six. It will place the three stars on its state license.

The Tennessee Report Card and Star Quality Program is part of the state’s comprehensive plan to provide more information to parents and improve the quality of child care in Tennessee. It is a voluntary program that recognizes quality child care programs.

“This shows that we’re going above and beyond Tennessee requirements,” said Shelia Garner, site director at the East Brainerd center. “It gives parents confidence that our center is an excellent environment for their children.”

The areas evaluated include the director’s qualifications, the education, training and previous work experience of the teaching staff, compliance history, parent and family involvement, student-teacher ratios, staff compensation and benefits, and on-site observations of the center.

The Institute’s other preschool, the Siskin Early Learning Center-Downtown, has maintained its three-star rating each year since the state implemented the program in 2000.

About Siskin Children’s Institute
Since 1950, Siskin Children's Institute has served children with special needs, such as autism, developmental delays and Down syndrome. The Institute achieves its mission in a comprehensive way: a quality preschool education where children with disabilities learn together with typically developing children; family support and community outreach programs; innovative research focusing on early childhood development and special education; and developmental and behavioral pediatric health care. For more information about Siskin Children’s Institute, visit www.siskin.org.