College of Education and Behavioral Sciences News

WKUCCC received notice on March 1, 2024, that they have earned a 5 STAR rating in Kentucky’s All Star Child Care Quality Rating System.

WKUCCC, a combination Head Start, Early Head Start, and child care program is housed in Jones Jaggers Hall at WKU and is celebrating their 40th anniversary of offering services to children and families at WKU and the community this year.  

Dr. Amy S. Hood, Executive Director of T/TAS, Training and Technical Assistance Services, stated, “I am very proud and excited for the staff at WKUCCC for following through on this goal!” 

Following the COVID pandemic, the early childhood education program underwent many changes due to staff retiring/quitting, children dropping from the program or moving, and even leaving the program which resulted in a child care crisis along with the rest of Kentucky and the country.   Dr. Hood was given the opportunity to step in and help the dedicated and loyal staff of the program to rebuild and redesign their vision for children and families. The team set the goal in the fall of 2022 to move away from a lower star status and reach for the 5 STAR rating. 

The management team, all new to the role of managers within two years, includes Melody Hedden, Director; Lindsay Garrison, Education and Disabilities Specialist; Michelle Tutko, Family Service and Health Specialist; and Holly Hatcher, Program Coordinator.  All of these managers have worked in Head Start and child care for many years but are under two years of service in this role. Ms. Hedden stated, “It is an absolute honor to work with the best of the best.  Each day I am able to witness firsthand the dedication and hard work of staff with a passion for early childhood”. 

With this 5 STAR rating, there are many criteria that are reviewed and observed by state raters. Criteria includes the learning environment, teacher qualifications, professional development, and communication between teachers and families. Of the 18 Teachers and assistants, (not counting all student workers), five have been with WKUCCC for over 15 years. The remaining staff have been with the program for two years or less. The dedication of these long-term staff has tremendously helped rebuild the program and reach this rating. 

The Kentucky All STAR Child Care Quality Rating System is designed to show that early childhood settings (child care, Head Start and public Preschool programs) are seeking higher standards of quality than the minimum requirements for licensing or certification.  The STARS program offers one through five-star ratings, with 5-STAR indicating the highest quality.  Some of the criteria are focused on the training and education of the provider, the quality of the interactions between children and adults, the involvement of families within the program, and of course, the quality of the learning activities and materials available for the children as they prepare to go to school.  

If you want more information on WKUCCC, please visit their website at WKU Campus Child Care - Head Start, Early Head Start, Child Care | Western Kentucky University and if you would like more information about Head Start in general, please visit the Head Start Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center at Head Start | ECLKC (hhs.gov).