Rehoboth preschool wins state distinction

Employees at Rehoboth Cooperative Preschool staff worked hard for a four-star rating. A filing box full of paperwork stands as testament to all the i's they dotted and t's they crossed. But the cash bonuses and professional feedback have made it all worthwhile.

The preschool is part of the state's Delaware Stars for Early Success program, which aims at giving preschools guidance and incentives to educate their preschool-age charges.

"When you first start, it's overwhelming," said Jill Mitchell, director and teacher at the preschool. "This school has always had a reputation of good early childhood education; it was a natural step for us to stay on the cutting edge of higher, quality education."

The massive amount of paperwork required to maintain certification and earn a higher rating is a constant challenge, Mitchell said.

"It's a lot of work but it's rewarding," said Kenna Chanoux, assistant director and teacher. "You slide into a rhythm."

Preschools and daycare centers that enroll in the program start at one star and complete requirements to earn more stars. A list of early childhood centers participating in the Stars program is on the Delaware Stars website, but the rating of each school is not listed.

For Rehoboth Cooperative, getting a state license was required for the first star rating and it must be maintained to receive more stars. The school must maintain requirements for each level throughout the process, and make changes when the state revises level requirements.

University of Delaware partnership

Delaware Stars for Early Success is part of University of Delaware's Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood. The program works in partnership with the Department of Education, which distributes federal and state education money.

The program is designed to encourage early childhood centers to provide more than care and become centers for education. The goal is to erase the achievement gap existing between children entering kindergarten who have attended education-oriented preschools and those who haven't, said Martha Buell, director of the institute.

"Ultimately, we want our children to go into kindergarten prepared,"she said. "If you have a group of numbers and letters and a kid can't differentiate between them or understand the difference between upper and lower case, then they're going to be behind when they get to kindergarten."

Benefits from enrolling in the program include periodical school bonuses and free certification for Stars credentials. So far, Mitchell said the school has received three bonuses, the last for $1,700. The money goes back into the school and helps pay for supplies, she said.

A Stars program coordinator works with preschool employees to answer any questions and help them with their annual reviews.

"It's a good feedback system," Chanoux said. "It's nice to have a new tool or way to look at things."

During the review, evaluators rate the facility, its programs and suggest improvements. A preschool can take those suggestions and make improvements for future evaluations, Mitchell said.

Some of the changes suggested in early evaluations for Rehoboth Cooperative included displaying pictures of diverse and physically-challenged people on the walls and hanging up student artwork. A recent evaluation noted a lack of free-play dress up items for boys, which Mitchell said they plan to add.

There are a few things that the 42-year-old cooperative won't be able to change – one is the amount of available space.

Tucked away on Sussex Street, the town has grown up around the facility. Only on-street parking is available, and there is no hope for a playground. The pre-school originally was opened in 1969 at St. Edmond's Catholic Church on Laurel Street by a group of dedicated mothers.

The school may lose points on playground facilities, but Mitchell said, they make up for it with the quality education they offer.

The next step for them is a five-star rating, which the staff is already are working towards, but it requires Mitchell to complete director credentials.

Mitchell said she must take classes and complete a portfolio, and probably won't be finished with those requirements until 2013.

When they apply for the five-star rating, the ladies at Rehoboth Cooperative Preschool are confident they'll earn it.

Based on scores for the four-star rating, the school earned high points in most categories, exceeding what's needed for a five-star rating.

Rehoboth Cooperative Preschool provides preschool for 4-year-olds 9 a.m. to noon four days a week. Classes for 2 and 3-year-olds are held the same time for three days a week.

For more information on the preschool, visit www.rehobothcooperativepreschool.org or call 302-227-2242.