SMART START GEORGIA CELEBRATES SUCCESS OF QUALITY EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION IN GEORGIA

October 22, 2003

OCTOBER 22, 2003 Kindergarten opens an exciting, but sometimes anxious, chapter in children's lives. But parents can rest assured that children attending kindergarten in Fulton County are better prepared to start school now than they were four years ago, thanks to Smart Start Georgia, experts say.
Smart Start is a public/private partnership among the State of Georgia, the Joseph B. Whitehead Foundation, United Ways of Georgia, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, and more than 40 additional supporting organizations, dedicated to creating and implementing innovative programs and outreach initiatives to improve the quality of early care and education for all children ages birth through five throughout the state. 
"Smart Start Georgia has been a blessing for children, parents and child care professionals in Fulton County," said Pam Runkle, Director of the Child Care Resource and Referral of Metro Atlanta at Quality Care for Children. "Smart Start Georgia has given local educators the resources they need to become better-educated, teaching them to give high quality care to Fulton County's children. Smart Start Georgia has continually challenged Fulton County teachers to set new standards in excellence." 
Fulton County is one of nine counties across the state that recently hosted a celebration in acknowledgement of Smart Start Georgia's accomplishments and future successes within the community. 
In Fulton County, more than 20 early care and education professionals have received funding from Smart Start Georgia's "Scholarships" program, which provides financial support for early care and education professionals as they continue their education. Because teacher education is strongly linked to positive outcomes for children, "Scholarships" was designed specifically for early care and education professionals to help them become better-educated and better-prepared to give high quality care to children around the state. 
Smart Start Georgia's "Incentives" program, a salary supplement program available to eligible early childhood teachers, directors and family child care providers, has been granted to 288 early care and education professionals in Fulton County. During the early years of development, it is important that young children form and maintain strong attachments to primary caregivers. "Incentives" was designed to reward professionals in early care and education for continuing their work in the field and increasing their levels of education. By supplementing teachers' salaries, this program encourages those who work directly with young children to stay in the field and continue to gain knowledge and refine their skills. 

â?? This article posted with permission from the Atlanta Daily World.