The QUALITYstarsNY team came together for our 2025 All-Staff Summit in Saratoga Springs, NY, where we spent three days focused on learning and connection. We explored valuable resources in the early childhood field, shared impactful stories and enjoyed fun activities!
Schenectady Day Nursery (SDN), a longtime QUALITYstarsNY participant, just held a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate an expansion project that will increase access to high-quality early childhood education for families throughout Schenectady County, an area recognized as a child care desert due to its limited child care options.
Whether you are looking to increase your knowledge about a topic related to early childhood education, earn a degree or credential, or ensure you are meeting training-related requirements for your job, choosing high-quality professional development is an important step in increasing your knowledge, skills, and abilities which in turn have a valuable impact on your work with children. With a little help from available professional resources, you can ensure that the professional development you take part in is vetted for quality and helps you to meet your professional goals.
QUALITYstarsNY participants Yasmill Ledesma, education coordinator at Discovery Village, and Sandra Jenkins, teacher at St. Peter’s Child Care Center, Inc., were recently honored with the Child Care Council of Westchester Early Education Hall of Heroes award. This award recognizes early childhood professionals who invest significantly in the future of our youngest learners and their communities. Yasmill and Sandra talked with QUALITYstarsNY about what this award means to them, the lessons they have learned throughout their career and what they look forward to.
Jessica Dean of Jessica's Daycare in Monticello, NY is a participant, ambassador, and advocate of CACFP. As part of her work with the initiative, she understands the value of providing children with healthy and well-balanced meals. In her early childhood program, Jessica works with her children to grow various herbs, vegetables and fruits, which she uses to prepare colorful and nutritious meals.
The desire to keep oneself safe is perhaps the most basic of all instincts. It’s hard-wired in. The amygdala is the small structure in the brain responsible for processing emotions, particularly fear and aggression. It watches for anything that might be harmful. We’re familiar with our own amygdala, and may even appreciate it, as it comes in handy on a busy highway or if we sense danger anywhere. It helps us stay safe, as well as those we love and care for. But what about a child’s amygdala?
Erica has worked in education for the last 20 years, starting as a Teach for America corps member and elementary school teacher in Baton Rouge. She worked in schools there and in Harlem for nine years—teaching, coaching, and supporting families in high-need communities. It was during this time that literacy and equity became the north stars in her career.
We're still celebrating 60 years of Head Start's service to children and familes! Earlier this month, QUALITYstarsNY was proud to attend the New York State Head Start Association's (NYS [...]
Chautauqua Lake Central School and Chautauqua Lake Child Care Center have both recently earned 4-Star Active Ratings! As committed participants since 2015 and 2016, these programs have consistently demonstrated [...]
Educator Appreciation Week and Provider Appreciation Day are special opportunities to thank teachers, providers, and caregivers who nurture and guide young learners every day. From May 5-9, our participants and teams from every corner of New York State took part in celebrating early childhood educators through community events, uplifting words, appreciation dinners, and more!