New Beginnings Preschool & Childcare in Milford, North Webster Day Care Center, Lakeland Learning Center in Syracuse and Cardinal Services Head Start in Warsaw were the only four child care centers in Kosciusko County receiving the top accreditation level from the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration within the last year.

United Way of Kosciusko County is proud to count these programs among its partners. They ensure children are receiving high quality educational services which in turn better prepares them to enter kindergarten. Providing a strong educational foundation directly correlates to better academic achievement and places students in better standing to graduate from high school.

Paths to QUALITY has four levels of recognition: minimum health and safety regulations, child environment, curriculum and national accreditation. Level Four on Paths to QUALITY is the top honor and serves as an indication of highest quality.

Reflecting on the achievement, Melissa Pilz, director at New Beginnings said, “being a nationally accredited early education program means that our children and families are receiving the best early learning opportunity provided in Indiana. Providing high standards for children and families allows learning experiences in a variety of opportunities creating a solid foundation for their future learning.”

Lynne Dittman, director Head Start programs affiliated with Cardinal Services shared, “earning the Paths to QUALITY Level 4 accreditation is an accomplishment in which Kosciusko County Head Start takes great pride. This achievement is an indication to parents and community members that the program operates high quality early childhood centers where the education focus is kindergarten readiness skills for each enrolled child. We are pleased to be able to display Paths to QUALITY Level Four accreditation signs at all three Kosciusko County Head Start centers.”

The Paths to QUALITY system phased in by FSSA beginning in January 2008 is a free and voluntary system designed to enhance the quality of care in child care centers around the state. According to FSSA, 2,335 child care providers have enrolled in the program, which benefits 87,000 children in Indiana. United Way strongly believes in Paths to QUALITY and encourages all area day care programs to focus on kindergarten readiness and to explore becoming a Level Four childcare provider.