Quality Programs

The McNeilly Center for Children main site recently received confirmation that we are again a 3 STAR program!  This distinction recognizes child care agencies who exceed minimum licensing standards.  All six of our locations have earned a 3 STAR rating from the Tennessee Department of Human Services, which is the highest possible rating.  Our 3 STAR certification, as well as our national accreditation by NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children), are just two examples of our commitment to offering high quality programs. 

It is the mission of McNeilly to provide affordable, safe, quality programs for children in need.  Some, may not know, though, what distinguishes a program as high quality.  The licensing and accreditation standards from DHS and NAEYC measure the qualifications of the Director as well as the teaching staff of the agency.  They assess the program and developmental learning that takes place in the classrooms, and they look at parent/family involvement, the physical environment and the teacher/student ratio in each group.  The criteria used to assess agencies ensures that children's daily experiences in early childhood programs are beneficial and that they promote positive child outcomes.  More information is available at preknow.org. 

We are proud that our sites continue to offer high quality programming for children who otherwise may not have quality care options.  The Tennessee Star-Quality program explains that  a provider can receive one, two, or three stars to place on its license and display in its center. Each star shows that the provider meets increasingly higher standards. In other words, the more stars a program has, the better the quality of care it offers to children.  Our children deserve the three star care that we provide, and our teachers and staff deserve many accolades for their hard work to make sure that children enjoy a early education experience that truly makes a difference in their lives.