December 2003 Quarterly Update

Start Smart Initiative Is Half-way Through Year Four
The Start Smart early childhood initiative has posted significant new results as it completes the first half of its fourth year. As a five-year initiative, Start Smart is led by Franklin County and the United Way of Central Ohio. More than 40 local agencies partner with Start Smart, in an effort to coordinate and improve early childhood services and public policy.

Recently, Start Smart issued a community report for the initiative’s third year, which ended in June. The following provides details on accomplishments since then.

Accreditation – Centers and Homes
Start Smart assists child care centers and home-based child care providers to work toward and achieve national accreditation. When child care centers and homes are nationally accredited, it means they offer superior early care and education that exceeds state requirements.

A number of child care centers were nationally accredited in the first half of year four, bringing the total number of accredited centers to 23. Newly accredited centers include:

• Enchanted Care Powell
• Little Tigers
• Children’s World Learning Center – Tussing Rd.
• Safe & Sound at Generations
• Children’s World L.C. – Worthington
• Columbus State Child Development
• Child’s Play
• Children’s World L.C. – Westerview
• Children’s World L.C. – Taylor Rd.
• Royal Child Day Care
• Children’s Hospital
• Northside Child Care
• Kare-A-Lot
• Bexley Childcare

More than 200 child care centers are still engaged in the process of gaining accreditation. It is a long and demanding process that requires months of self-study and improvement.

In addition, many home providers also are engaged in the accreditation process. To date, more than 75 homes are in process, and two providers earned the award.

Credentialing
Thousands of children in Franklin County are receiving better quality care because a number of early childhood teachers and center directors are using scholarships and advanced training opportunities provided by Start Smart.

To date, 558 scholarships have been awarded to qualified students who complete early childhood coursework at Columbus State. Three students have earned a Bachelor’s degree, nine students have earned an Associate’s degree and 10 students have earned a CDA (Child Development Association national credential).

Home Spaces, Center Spaces
For lower-income families, finding quality child care is a challenge because often there are too few spaces available. Part of Start Smart’s mission is to create more spaces in high quality child care centers and home providers. To date, 139 new family providers have been recruited and trained for the business of in-home child care services, creating 278 new spaces. In addition, Start Smart has created 69 new spaces in child care centers.

Community Awareness and Parent Education
Start Smart does more than just tell parents and caregivers about the importance of high quality early care and education, the initiative also provides actual tools to help with creative learning ideas for babies and toddlers. Booklets are available that list activity tips for babies and toddlers. They are available in English, Somali and Spanish. A Web site with even more activity tips, a calendar of events, a directory of early childhood services and more also is available.

To date, more than 27,000 booklets have been distributed and thousands of people have visited the Web site. In addition, Start Smart reaches the public with early childhood information through local media and direct outreach. Recent news clips are attached.

Funding
Start Smart is funded through public and private sources. To date, $2,694,667 have been provided through county and state funds. Private sources have donated $4,448,509.

Find out more!!
Please visit Start Smart online at www.startsmartcolumbus.org. To receive a free Start Smart activity tips booklet, please call 614-BE-SMART or 614-237-6278.