What it Means

For Your Children

Little Lambs is an active participant of the Parent Aware program. Since joining in 2015, we have been a four star-rated program, which is their highest possible rating.

One Star

These programs have demonstrated these best practices:

Uses consistent routines to support children
Talks with children and families to better understand interests and culture
Shares important community resources with families
Learns about each individual child by observing and taking notes
Commits to and maintains professional ethics in the early learning field

Two Stars

These programs have demonstrated all One-Star practices, AND:

Evaluates learning activities, materials, classroom layout, and health-related practices to set goals for growth
Plans school-readiness activities for children
Guides families through their children’s transition to kindergarten
Shares information with families in ways that meet their unique needs
Plans for continued learning and professional growth

Three Stars

These programs have demonstrated all One- and Two-Star practices, AND:

Uses a curriculum aligned with Minnesota’s early learning standards
Teaches in a way that is organized, challenging and warm
Helps children transition between activities and stay engaged
Uses approved tools to track children’s development
Commits to ongoing quality improvement by using some of these best practices:
- Responds to unique cultural customs and needs of children and families
- Offers activities that encourage family participation and help children transition to kindergarten
- Gives families opportunities to provide feedback about the program
- Shares child development updates with families to set goals together
- Makes accommodations for children with special needs and their families
- Has highly-qualified and trained leadership staff, teachers, and providers
- Creates a program-wide professional development plan
- Encourages healthy living through nutrition and physical activity, always evaluating to set goals for growth

Four Stars

These programs have demonstrated all One-, Two-, and Three-Star practices, AND commits to ongoing quality improvement by using most of these best practices:

Responds to unique cultural customs and needs of children and families
Offers activities that encourage family participation and help children transition to kindergarten
Gives families opportunities to provide feedback about the program
Shares child development updates with families to set goals together
Makes accommodations for children with special needs and their families
Has highly qualified and trained leadership staff, teachers, and providers
Creates a program-wide professional development plan
Encourages healthy living through nutrition and physical activity, always evaluating to set goals for growth