ECC gets Quality Improvement Grant

 In July, the Alliance JCC Early Childhood Center (ECC) received a Quality Improvement Grant from the Center for Early Learning Professionals at the Education Development Center (EDC). The Center for Early Learning Professionals is a Rhode Island organization that supports programs for children up to age 5. The organization provides various services, including Quality Improvement Grants. 

According to the qualifications for the Quality Improvement Grant, “To be eligible for a Quality Improvement Grant, programs must be enrolled in BrightStars and have a Quality Improvement Plan.”

Receiving even one star means that a program has gone above and beyond the educational expectations set by the state of Rhode Island. The highest rank given is five stars. The ECC currently has three stars for both its ITC (Infant Toddler Center) and pre-school, quite an accomplishment for an organization with both facilities. Additionally, the ECC has earned National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation. 

The ECC will use this grant to maintain and improve its high standards in early childhood education. Much of the grant will fund curricular materials that will improve the classroom experience, says Nicole Katzman, director of the ECC. “We’re purchasing preschool and infant-toddler lofts and wooden block stations. These will help improve classrooms to meet the Rhode Island Early Learning and Development Standards (RIELDS).”

Some of the funds will go toward staff development, allowing staff members to continue their education at various levels, including associate, bachelor’s and master’s. 

The Center for Early Learning Professionals is providing support to the ECC until the money has been spent. This support includes sending an educator to help with quality improvements as a whole, according to Katzman.