Staff report
The New Year starts with good news for parents in Rowan County.  According to new data released by The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc. (NCPC), more families with young children have access to, and are participating in, high quality child care programs in Rowan County.  NCPC leads the state Smart Start program and evaluates local and statewide progress annually.  The latest data shows that Smart Start continues to improve the quality of child care in Rowan County, thanks to the efforts of Smart Start Rowan.
The number of Rowan County children enrolled in high quality child care (programs with 4 or 5 stars) has increased 170 percent since 2001, reflecting an improvement in child care quality and an increase in the number of children enrolled in high quality programs.    Currently, nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of all Rowan County children in child care are in the highest quality programs.
“This is really great news for the children of Rowan County,” said NCPC President Stephanie Fanjul.  “Not only are young children experiencing improved care, but families seeking child care are better able to find high quality programs.”  
Smart Start Rowan actively works with child care programs throughout the county to improve the quality of child care by assessing center quality, recommending changes where needed, and helping child care teachers continue their education.    
“Throughout the course of our tenure, the services of Smart Start Rowan have provided a necessary link for the success of all in the development, growth and total maturity of its greatest asset ó the child,” said Mary Ponds, former Board Chair of Smart Start Rowan.