Our board of directors wants to acknowledge and congratulate Orcas Island Children’s House on its recent achievement. On June 15 Children’s House learned that it had received a Level 3 rating in the Washington State Early Achiever Quality Improvement System – narrowly missing a Level 4 by a few points.

Independent raters from the University of Washington spent two days in April observing and collecting data from the school to award points in five key areas evaluating teaching skills, positive interactions, child assessments and outcomes, environments, curriculum, professional development and family partnering.

Children’s House’s total score represents an important achievement. Our region is the last to be rated, and our total score ranked in the top 13 percent of all licensed providers across the state earning a three or better.

This rating is the result of an extensive two-year commitment our facility made to improving quality and would not have been possible without some financial assistance to support extra staff hours and classroom materials necessary to excel. An initial grant through OICF got the ball rolling, and private donors supporting the Early Childhood Education Initiative along with our local Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program office invested at the final stage.

We believe the accomplishment highlights the synergy of a dedicated and talented teaching staff, tireless leadership, coupled with family and community partners combining in common.

We are so proud of this accomplishment and congratulate the entire staff, families and students who together make this program truly extraordinary!

Michele Streich, Mary Greenwell, Penny Hawkes, Suzana Roach and Linda Erickson

Children’s House Board of Directors