History
Since 1995, Starling International Child Care & Learning Complex has provided early childhood education to the children of Richmond, Virginia. In 1999, Starling Child Care was named one of the five Small Businesses of the Year awarded by the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce. In 2001, Starling Child Care was presented the Regional Award for promoting literacy in the community by the Literacy Fair of Virginia. In 2007, Starling Child Care was granted National Accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children's Academy for Early Childhood Programs.
Specialties
This is a full service child care program which relies on the latest research in early childhood to guide its best practice child care. The program is nationally recognized as an accredited program through the National Association for the Education for Young Children (NAEYC). Only 5% of child care programs meet this level of quality. The center has numerous assets including a large building with vaulted ceilings, skylights, bright walls, windows low to the ground, an indoor swimming pool, and an outdoor nature area and playgrounds. The center's accounting, security, and management systems are computerized providing efficiencies, and the center is part of the USDA-CACFP National School Lunch Program. Most important are the staff. Teacher training workshops are promoted for all staff on-site and across the street at the Tuckahoe Library through a collaboration with VCU Health Systems. Staff are required to have educational backgrounds or be pursuing a degree.