Local elected officials and community leaders celebrated Early Beginnings achieving Keystone Star 4 status, the highest level in Pennsylvania’s Keystone Stars Quality Rating and Improvement System Friday morning in Reading.
Early Beginnings is the first Hispanic, family-owned child care center in Reading to earn Pennsylvania’s highest quality rating.
With 40+ years of experience working in the field of early care and education, Mary Rodriguez established Early Beginnings in September 2006.
A family run business, Early Beginnings is operating with the help of Mary’s husband, Victor, and daughter, Sandra Rodriguez, the Director.
The center has a capacity of 85 children and operates first shift care, educating children aged infant through school age.
Located at 1459 Moss Street in Reading, the business started with a STAR 1 quality rating and jumped to a STAR 2 in May 2021.
This year, the center achieved a Star 3 in March 2022. In June the center reached a STAR 4, the highest level in Keystone STARS Quality Rating and Improvement System for early care and education.
With the help of their quality coach, Mailyn Tout, as well as their amazing teachers, Sandra Rodriguez is proud to serve children in Reading and Berks County and guide them toward a better future.
“We’re able to get a curriculum involved with the children and get them ready for kindergarten” said Sandra Rodriguez.
“Working with children is a big responsibility, and providing more training and higher pay is important to us.”
The event was attended by Reading Mayor Eddie Moran, who provided a City Commendation, Senator Judy Schwank, who apresented a Commendation from PA Senate, State Representative Manny Guzman, who also provided a Commendation from PA House of Representatives.
Also in attendance was Barbara Starkey, Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) 13 Regional Director, Mailyn Tout, ELRC 13 Quality Coach, Mary Jimenez, Early Childhood and Community Engagement Program Manager, Berks County United Way, Shawn Towey, PACCA Public Policy/Community Outreach Manager and Michelle Wunder, PACCA Regional Ambassador, Start Strong PA.
