YMCA Early Learning Center earns highest QRS rating

The Newton YMCA Early Learning Center has been re-certified as a State of Iowa Five-Star QRS facility, the highest designation under the program.

Iowa’s Quality Rating System is a voluntary program that offers child care providers a guided way to improve the quality of child care they provide. According to QRS, “providers who achieve the highest level have made significant steps in meeting key indicators of quality in the areas of professional development, health and safety, environment, family/community partnership and leadership and administration.”

Evaluators from the Iowa Department of Human Services visited the YMCA Early Learning center this summer for an Environment Rating Scale assessment. Following the on-site review, the center was awarded the Level Five score.

“All QRS programs, regardless of their level, have made a commitment to providing quality care to children,” the Iowa Department of Human Services writes. “Your child care program, by participating in QRS, has demonstrated a desire to improve the quality of care and education your children receive.”

YMCA Child Care Director Deb Knopf was thrilled with news of the five-star rating.

“Earning a QRS level five distinction demonstrates the YMCA Early Learning Center’s commitment to providing the best child care that we possibly can,” she said. “Our staff’s continued hard work makes the center a welcoming learning environment.”

Newton mom Cookie Fuzell has had her children Ryker and Rylie in the YMCA early learning center for the past year.

“We love the Y childcare,” she said. “It feels good knowing that your children are being cared for by trained staff who treat them like family.”

For more information on the Newton YMCA and the Safety Around Water program, visit www.newtonymca.org