The Family Tree, Child Development Center for the Phoebe Family, was recently awarded three stars from Quality Rated Childcare – Georgia’s Quality Rating and Improvement System. Since 2013, 1,843 child care learning centers in Georgia have participated in the Quality Rated program. This represents 58% of all child care learning centers in the state. Of that total, 101 facilities have received a three-star rating; just .05%. In Dougherty County, 12 of 60 centers participate in the Quality Rated program – 3 of these facilties are three-star rated, including the Family Tree.

“We are so proud of our dedicated team at the Family Tree,” said Lisa Kingry, Director. “We are committed to taking care of the children of those who take care of our communities. Phoebe employees are our doctors and nurses, and those who make healthcare possible in Southwest Georgia. We realize how important our job, at the Family Tree, truly is. This recognition indicates that our program goes above and beyond licensing compliance to support young children.”

Quality Rated is Georgia’s system to determine, improve and communicate the quality of programs that provide child care, in the state. Quality Rated assigns one, two or three stars to early education and school-age programs that meet or exceed the minimum state requirements. By participating in Georgia’s voluntary Quality Rated program, facilities make a commitment to work continuously to improve the quality of child care they provide to children and families. Quality Rated gives parents and families greater confidence in their child care choice because independent, credentialed experts in early education have assessed whether program follow best practices, such as:

- Employing qualified and well-trained teachers

- Providing a safe, healthy and caring environment

- Implementing individual instruction

- Offering a curriculum that prepares children for kindergarten

- A focus on both active learning and social-emotional development

- Engaging families

- Providing a low teacher-student ratio