Understanding the Ohio Step Up to Quality Star Ratings: Why It Matters for Your Child

Jelly Bean Junction Learning Centers are dedicated to teaching, encouraging and nurturing children and are proud to receive star ratings from Ohio's Step Up to Quality program.

Our programs coincide with the learning and development initiatives set forth in the Step Up to Quality Program established by the State of Ohio. Part of the learning and development parameters include curriculum, assessment and child screening worked into your child’s daily preschool functions. We have a comprehensive curriculum in our centers and Jelly Bean Junction feels that it is important to assess each child on a regular basis by observing each child weekly and recording those observations. We also assess children enrolling in our centers with a tool known as the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ), you can find more information about the ASQ on Ages and Stages Questionnaire website. We then use the information gathered from the questionnaire and weekly observations to plan developmentally appropriate experiences for every child in our center. 

Another important initiative in our SUTQ program include child/teacher interactions and school continuous improvements. Our teachers guide your child’s learning by using open ended questions, investigations, observations, and positive praise. This fosters learning by providing daily experiences that motivate your child to learn and investigate independently. While we offer a lot of flexibility in choice, our teachers are trained to pivot activities based on their interests.

Our teachers are experienced educational professionals with the proper training and distinctions to provide the right care and education for your child. In our infant classrooms, our teachers provide experiences that reflect the Ohio’s Infant and Toddler Guidelines, as outlined by the Ohio Department of Children and Youth. We incorporate the Ohio Early Learning Content Standards and the Developmental Continuum from our curriculum in our preschool classrooms to ensure the practice of developmentally appropriate experiences. We are continually learning and developing innovative ideas and experiences for our children at Jelly Bean.

We realize that caring for any child is a partnership between the families and our staff. We feel it is important to keep communication open between families and staff because families know their children best. We have an open-door policy and encourage families to visit our centers at any time. We have 5 locations in the greater Cincinnati area to support our community and families. We provide links to community services to assure that children and their families receive the support needed, whenever they need it.

Our goal at Jelly Bean Junction is to teach, nurture and encourage all students in our care. We continue to find new ways to guide children’s learning in each of our programs. Jelly Bean Junction is proud to serve our families and maintain our star ratings from Ohio's Step Up to Quality program! Book your tour today at any one of our five locations!