Helping child care centers earn their stars

Hanna Perkins Center’s Office of Community Engagement provides consultation to child care centers to help improve their rating under the 5-star Step Up to Quality (SUTQ) rating and improvement system.

Our expertise in social-emotional development, family engagement, staff training, classroom management and behavioral consultation makes us an effective partner to help your team identify and address areas that may be holding your program back from a higher star rating. We provide counseling on-site or via teleconference for a reasonable fee, and work individually or in groups with administrators and staff.

Staff training is provided in accordance with state standards, and may include Ohio Approved Hours or other relevant continuing education credits.

A 501(c)3 non-profit organization, Hanna Perkins Center has provided training and education services to Ohio child care centers, early learning programs and schools since 1951.

closing the gap

Services include:

  • Needs assessment
  • Administrative consulting
  • Staff training
  • Classroom consulting
Contact the Director of Community Engagement to discuss your needs.
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Closing the gap

No-cost consulting to help neighborhood child care centers retain funding

The State of Ohio has set a deadline to ensure that all child care providers meet minimum standards established under SUTQ. Effective July 1, 2021, providers must have at least a 1-star SUTQ rating or they will be cut off from receiving money through state and federal programs such as Head Start. That standard rises to 3 stars in 2025.

In addition, earning additional stars can increase reimbursement rates. For example, moving from 2 stars to 3 can boost annual revenue by more than $5,000 per classroom.

Hanna Perkins’ Closing the Gap program helps eligible child care centers earn their first, second or third star. This service is provided free of charge through grants from The Bruening Foundation and the Meisel Family Foundation.

Why this program is important

Closing the Gap recognizes the importance of:

  • High-quality, neighborhood-based child care centers that serve families of all incomes and backgrounds.
  • Workforce development to help elevate child care from a job to a career, and to improve the effectiveness and satisfaction of child care workers.
  • Supporting social-emotional development in young children as a foundation for success in school and life.

Eligibility

With a goal of preserving important neighborhood-based child care resources, “Closing the Gap” provides services for free to facilities with a 3-star rating or lower that receive a significant portion of their revenue through Head Start and other government programs.

To learn more or discuss your needs, contact the Associate Director of Community Engagement and School Programs.

To discuss your eligibility and needs, contact the Director of Community Engagement.