MESA, Arizona – March 14, 2016 – The Children’s Center at Mesa Community College has received the highest rating of five stars from Quality First Arizona – a signature program of First Things First.
Quality First Star Ratings are based on assessments of enrolled programs. The criteria include health and safety practices; staff qualifications, teacher-child interactions, learning environments, lessons, group sizes, and child assessment and parent communication.
Programs receive scholarships, based on their ratings, for qualifying families to help them afford child care expenses. The higher the rating of the program, the more scholarships a program receives. In 2015 MCC received 14 fulltime scholarships to support MCC students’ children who were enrolled in the college’s preschool program.
“The Children's Center is the second center within the Mesa, Gilbert and Queen Creek area to achieve the highest rating of five stars,” said Kris Bliss, supervisor, MCC Children’s Center and Education Studies faculty. “Our program is also nationally accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and has been since 1994.”
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Contacts
Dawn Zimmer, 480-461-7892, dawn.zimmer@mesacc.edu
Sally Mesarosh, 480-461-7283, sally.mesarosh@mesacc.edu
Quality First – a signature program of First Things First – partners with regulated early childhood providers to make quality improvements that research proves help children birth to five thrive, such as education for teachers to expand their expertise in working with young children. It also supports parents with information about what to look for in quality early childhood programs that goes beyond health and safety to include a nurturing environment that supports their child’s learning. Additional information is available online at qualityfirstaz.com.
First Things First is a voter-created, statewide organization that funds early education and health programs to help kids be successful once they enter kindergarten. Decisions about how those funds are spent are made by local councils staffed by community volunteers. To learn more visit azftf.gov.
Mesa Community College is nationally recognized for its service-learning, civic engagement and innovative educational programs, which include university transfer, career and technical, workforce development, and life-long learning. Host to 40,000 students annually, MCC offers more than 195 degrees and certificate programs at its two campuses and additional locations. MCC’s student body hails predominantly from the East Valley of Phoenix and includes Veteran, American Indian and International students who enrich the learning experience. Award-winning faculty are dedicated to student success providing the education and training that empowers MCC students to compete locally and globally. MCC is one of 10 colleges that comprise the Maricopa County Community College District. The District also includes the Maricopa Corporate College and two skill centers. For additional information, visit mesacc.edu.
Mesa Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) http://www.ncahlc.org, 800-621-7440.
The Maricopa County Community College District is an EEO/AA institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.