The News Record & Sentinel reported……

Child Care Facility Recognized for Commitment to Professional Development

On Friday, June 27, Community Action Opportunities in Weaverville was recognized for its outstanding support of staff education and professional development.

At the Child Care Services Association's (CCSA) Annual Awards Celebration & Auction, the North Carolina Institute for Early Childhood Professional Development along with CCSA recognized Community Action Opportunities as one of 8 child care centers and family child care homes from throughout the state to be awarded the 2008 Professional Development Award.

Weaverville Primary head Start Center is located at the Weaverville Primary School and is administered by Community Action Opportunities in Asheville, NC. The Five Star licensed Head Start/More at Four Center serves 18 children with one teacher and one assistant teacher.

Jennifer Garret, the center's teacher earned her Birth-Kindergarten teacher license this year through UNC-Asheville and the Office of School Readiness Teacher Licensure Unit. Christi Hensley, assistant teacher is currently working toward her associate's degree in Early Childhood Education through Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College.

Weaverville Primary Head Start Center exemplifies one of 21 high-quality Head Start centers in Buncombe and Madison counties as a result of continued professional development opportunities.

The Professional Development Award recognizes exemplary early care and education programs that value and support teacher education. This year 4 and 5 star child care programs that earned five educational points on their rated license on or before December 31, 2007, were eligible to apply.

Winners receive a prize of $500 - $3,000 to be used to help off-set the financial costs of participating in or sponsoring teacher education, providing an incentive or bonus reward for staff members who have completed coursework in early childhood education, or supporting the costs associated with other professional development opportunities.