The Brenner Family Early Learning Center and JCC Before/After Care programs are excited to announce our FOUR STAR Rating from Keystone STARS, the highest quality rating available through the program.

Keystone STARS is a quality rating system that promotes quality improvement in early learning and development programs and school-age childcare.  This program provides families with a tool to gauge the quality of early learning programs. The standards are organized into four STARS levels (Standards, Training/Professional Development, Assistance, Resources, and Support) that build upon each other in order to support continuous quality improvement.

On Thursday, October 4, at 6:00 pm, our board is hosting a surprise celebratory dinner for our teachers and staff.  Teresa D. Miller, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, will be in attendance in recognition of this momentous occasion.  Keystone STARS is overseen by the PA Department of Human Services and the PA Department of Education. We encourage media attendance at this special event.

“It’s not surprising that the program has received this honor, simply because of the commitment level of the staff,” said Rob Friedman, parent and Federation Board Chair. “They’re always working. FOUR STARS aren’t just given out without work being put in. They’ve put a tremendous amount of work into the structure and organization and it is a smooth running operation.”

Our entire preschool and school age staff consistently and constantly work diligently to ensure this high level of performance in all areas of Keystone Stars.  Receiving the FOUR STAR rating is validation of our school’s values, principles, and quality of education.

"Just five years ago, we set a goal to become a 4 STAR program because it's a nationally respected marker of quality," noted Abby Smith, Federation Vice Chair. "At the time, enrollment was at 68%. The Keystone STARS program has been a roadmap for us, and we now have waitlists in multiple classrooms. We didn't add a shiny new playground or focus on advertising; we focused on the quality of the early childhood education and experience."

We are so very proud of the accomplishments of our educational programs, and strive to achieve this highest level of success because we care about the children and families we serve in these programs. The support of the community creates our desire to be the most successful we can be.