The Larry O’Neal Child Development Center, located on the Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins campus, recently received a Quality Rated Inclusion Endorsement. The Center is the second child care program in the state of Georgia to receive the inclusion endorsement. The endorsement signifies CGTC’s commitment and ability to provide high quality child care services to children with special needs.
 
The Larry O’Neal Child Development Center is a well-equipped facility that provides suitable learning and play environments, as well as low instructor-to-children ratios. The Early Childhood Care and Education program at CGTC is also located in the Center, allowing students to gain valuable observations related to their coursework, and the ability to connect philosophy and research to teaching practices.

Quality Rated is Georgia’s tiered quality rating and improvement system for eligible child care programs in the state. Similar to rating systems for other industries like restaurants and hotels, Quality Rated assigns a rating of one-star, two-star, or three-star to child care programs that meet quality standards over and above the state licensing requirements for health and safety.
 
After completing the Quality Rated process, early child care programs that receive either a two-star or three-star rating are eligible to seek the Quality Rated Inclusion Endorsement.
 
A child care program seeking the Quality Rated Inclusion Endorsement first receives a baseline assessment using the Inclusive Classroom Profile, an observation scale from one to seven that assesses the quality of provisions and daily practices that support the developmental needs of children with disabilities in early childhood settings.
 
After a baseline is established, the child care program receives free targeted technical assistance from Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning. If the child care program scores above a five on the baseline or reassessment, the child care program receives the Quality Rated Inclusion Endorsement.
 
"Receiving the Quality Rated Inclusion Endorsement is a testimony to our commitment to provide high quality education experiences” said Michelle Cutler-Ervin, CGTC Child Development Center director. “The Child Development Center’s mission has included the importance of quality early learning opportunities for all children and their families since it opened in 2009."
 
CGTC’s child development center offers care for children ages 3-12 and offer Georgia Lottery-funded Pre-k programs. In Warner Robins, families can take advantage of before and after school care.
 
For more information about CGTC’s Larry O’Neal Child Development Center, please call (478) 988-6824.