LAREDO, Texas (Wednesday, May 15, 2019) — During the celebration of the Commitment to Quality, 14 Texas Rising Star learning centers received their new banners during a ceremony celebrated Wednesday morning in the Workforce Solutions for South Texas / Child Care Services center. The 14 Texas Rising Star recipients earned their star levels based on the quality care that they provide. The banner indicates that the 14 providers have a commitment to quality and are providing care for children that are above the minimum state standards.
The Texas Rising Star (TRS) certification is a voluntary program to which the learning centers and child cares that are committed to providing quality care to the children and families that they serve.
“The goal of mentoring the providers and staff is to demonstrate age-appropriate, best practices. We provide mentoring in caregiver-child interactions, administration, classroom environment, and parent involvement. We are committed to quality for the children of South Texas. Our goal is that the providers consistently demonstrate quality interactions. We are here to guide and support them every step of the way.” Amalia Rios, a TRS mentor. “In addition to receiving mentoring services, providers also receive materials based on the center’s needs, as well as an enhanced rate for being a Texas Rising Star Provider! It’s a great opportunity for providers as well as the children they serve.”
Under the TRS program, the learning center can be certified with 2 Stars, 3 Stars or 4 Stars.
“To put the banner up is an honor and it gives the centers bragging rights,” Rios added. Texas Rising Star providers received the banner in recognition of their accomplishments, and it is a great way to promote their business.
During the Wednesday celebration, Rogelio Trevino, Executive Director at Workforce Solutions for South Texas (WSST) recognized the owners and personnel working at the learning centers.
“We don’t only want to provide child care, we want to provide quality child care. We want to help these children to benefit and prepare them for life,” Trevino said. “For this, the role that you play in making sure that our children are taken care of, and getting the quality education they need means so much to us.”
As a TRS provider, the learning centers are doing more than the minimum requirements established by the State of Texas, but they’re going above and beyond, enhancing the curriculums and the overall system, he added.
For Tano Tijerina, Webb County Judge, the learning centers are similar to surrogate parents because the hardest thing as a parent is that you are always looking for the best place for your child.
“My point is this: it is very important what you all do. Do not take it lightly,” Tijerina said. “Every single day you have that in your heart. You have your qualities to be able to take care of the children. I couldn’t do it.”
Sally Cavazos, Lead TRS Assessor, explained that the learning centers commitment, dedication, motivation, and hard work have enhanced the lives of children.
“You are providing the children with an opportunity to grow and be successful in the early years as well as providing them with the tools needed to become successful adults,” Cavazos said. “We applaud you for your commitment, dedication, your time, and your efforts in shaping these young children’s lives.”
Andrea De La Garza, Project Director at WSST, presented the 14 learning centers with their banner, a wagon full of toys, and a certificate. They are:
3 Stars Right Start Child Care
3 Stars Carousel Learning Academy Heights
3 Stars Children’s Fountain of Knowledge
3 Stars Johnson’s Learning Center # 2
3 Stars Kristi Lin’s Academy
3 Stars Little Angels Learning Center in Zapata
3 Stars The Crayon Company
3 Stars The Education Center
4 Stars All Star Kids
4 Stars Carousel Learning Academy Lomas
4 Stars Laredo College Camilo Prada
4 Stars Johnson’s Learning Center # 1
4 Stars Little Hunters Learning Center
4 Stars The Learning Patch
Camelia Benavides from the Children’s Fountain of Knowledge thanked the professionalism and development provided by the TRS team.
Sandra Morales, a TRS Consultant with B&K Consultant expressed that she has been able to see the level in which the learning centers have grown in the past few months.
“From all the children who can’t say thank you … Thank You,” Morales said.
Also at the event were Board Members, Bertha Millan, and Kelly Elizondo. With them was Jalyssa Gamboa, TRS Mentor.
Parents are able to go onto the Texas Rising Star website at www.texasrisingstar.org to locate a Texas Rising Star provider in their area or may call the local TRS program at 956-794-1519 for assistance.
There are so many benefits for children that attend a quality learning center or child care facility. One of the major roles of the TRS program is to assist providers in developing the whole child, through quality interactions and quality learning experiences; to provide them with skills that last a lifetime.
If your center is interested in becoming a Texas Rising Star provider, to providing a quality driven program, please contact the local Texas Rising Star program located inside Workforce Solutions of South Texas office at 956-794-1519.
The Child Care Service and TRS program are located at 2389 E. Saunders, Laredo, Texas. Their phone number is 956-794-1500.
