Keystone STARS is a quality rating system that promotes quality improvement in early learning and school-age child care programs. A Keystone STARS designation informs parents that their children are in a safe, respectful environment in which they are learning new things every day to support their current and future successes in school and in life.
Early learning child care programs participating in Keystone STARS can earn a quality rating score from a STAR 1 to a STAR 4. At each level, programs must meet certain quality standards in four key areas: staff education, learning environment, leadership/management, and family/community partnerships. The higher the STAR level, the higher the quality standards.
A vital part of Pennsylvania’s early learning system, Keystone STARS works with child care programs, Head Start, school-aged programs, and programs certified by the Department of Public Welfare. Nearly 5,000 Keystone STARS programs are serving approximately 170,000 children from birth to age 12 in 2009-2010.
Keystone STARS provides Standards, Training/Professional Development, Assistance, Resources, and Support (STARS) to its child care providers for promoting continuous quality improvement. Child care providers participating in Keystone STARS receive the resources and training opportunities they need in order to achieve higher child care quality standards.
Quality child care will offer your child a stimulating, nurturing environment which should help prepare them for school and to reach his or her full potential. Quality care environments provide a stimulating, loving atmosphere in which children will mentally, socially, emotionally and physically thrive. The Performance Standards for Keystone STARS quality-rated child care providers are guided by the principle that quality early learning programs are the foundation for children’s success, and investment in the early care and education of Pennsylvania’s children is an investment in the future.
Additional Resources
A guide to help parents identify quality child care (PDF)
A complete listing of Keystone STARS quality-rated child care programs
View the Performance Standards (PDF)
Information for child care programs interested in joining Keystone STARS
