F.M. Kirby Children’s Center receives an award for Excellence in Preschool Education

Preschool Advantage awarded its Golden Acorn award for excellence to the F.M. Kirby Children’s Center this year. The Center’s Executive Director Harriet McCarter accepted the award that was presented at Preschool Advantage’s annual Preschool Director’s Luncheon this spring.

The Golden Acorn Awards are a result of a rigorous process of evaluation by Preschool Advantage’s School Committee. This Committee, which is comprised of numerous current and former preschool directors and teachers who care deeply about early childhood education, visit Preschool advantage’s partner preschools on a three-year cycle to ensure that the quality of their programs is maintained. The partner schools have to show excellence in five key criteria: teacher and child interaction, curriculum, family involvement, staff qualifications, professional development, and management of the school. Once the Committee determines a partner school meets the required standards of excellence, Preschool Advantage recognizes its achievement by bestowing its Golden Acorn Award for exemplary quality in preschool education.

The F.M. Kirby Children’s Center of the Madison Area YMCA is a state-renowned childhood development center. Harriet McCarter explains, “Our mission is to meet the needs of our entire community.  Although we do that through the many services we offer, we also recognize that by partnering with others we can expand our reach even further to serve more families.” She continues, “With Preschool Advantage we share the commitment to provide all families with access to high quality, curriculum based preschool and we are proud to partner with them to achieve that goal.” She points out, “One of our current student aides here at Kirby is a Preschool Advantage alumna and she’s a shining example of the amazing difference that quality early childhood education can make.” She ends by saying, “We look forward to continuing our partnership with Preschool Advantage, and to making a positive difference in the lives of young children, for many years to come.”

Preschool Advantage is a non-profit organization, which since its inception over 20 years ago, has provided families with financial assistance for high quality preschool education and has paid some 1,500 tuitions. The organization’s goal is to fund 100 tuitions each year. Additional information about the organization can be found on preschooladvantage.org, or by calling (973) 532-2501.

pictured from left: Jessie Lubow, vice president, Preschool Advantage and Harriet McCarter, executive director, F.M. Kirby Children’s Center