Davidson Cornelius Child Development Center now has this many stars. That's director Courtenay O'Neil with students. (Heather Carroll-Kompanik photo)

Three years after a financial crisis nearly forced it to close, the Davidson Cornelius Child Development Center on Gamble Street is working its way back to health. The organization, formerly known as Davidson Cornelius Day Care, said Tuesday it has improved its state rating to five stars, the state’s highest mark.

The day care continues to raise money and recruit new families, and day care officials say the high rating will be a boost. Director Courtenay O’Neil said the day care earned the rating with improvements in its staff, including obtaining additional training for some. It also has introduced a new bilingual Spanish-English program. And it’s preparing to begin accepting infants.

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Find out more about the center on its website, http://www.dc-childcare.org/

Here’s the text of Tuesday’s formal announcement:

Davidson-Cornelius Child Development Center Awarded 5-Star Rating

DAVIDSON – The board of directors of Davidson-Cornelius Child Development Center is proud to announce that the Center has been awarded a 5-star rating from the state of North Carolina, based on its excellence and quality in program standards and staff education. The Center also earned additional recognition based on its unique bilingual learning program in Spanish and English.

North Carolina state law requires child care programs with two or more children, operating for more than four hours per day to have a Star Rated License. The state uses a range of one to five stars to rate each program. Programs that meet minimum standards receive one star, while programs exceeding these basic requirements may apply to receive up to 5 stars, the highest rating. Star ratings are achieved by assessment of two quality child care components: staff education and program standards. In addition, one “quality point” is available to programs that make achievements in programmatic or education areas that are not addressed by these components.

Chris Woodhouse, President of the Board of Directors of the Davidson-Cornelius Child Development Center stated: “We couldn’t be more pleased with this exciting news, and are so proud of our Director, Courtenay O’Neil, and all of our teachers for everything they have done and continue to do to provide the highest quality early learning experience for the children of our community. This 5-star rating is truly a major “win” for our children, their parents, and the Davidson-Cornelius and surrounding community.”

The Davidson-Cornelius Child Development Center is currently accepting applications for enrollment of children ages 12 months to twelve years old into its unique early learning and development program – a “one-of-its-kind” in our community.

About Davidson-Cornelius Child Development Center

Davidson-Cornelius Child Development Center is a non-profit child care center that provides high-quality, developmentally-appropriate, and affordable early education and care for children ages 12 months to 6 years (pre-Kindergarten) of age.

Formerly known as the Davidson-Cornelius Day Care Center, the Center was founded in 1969 in response to a tragic fire that claimed the lives of three young children. Their mother had no access to child care and had left her children at home while she worked outside the home to support them. In response to this tragedy, a group of socially-conscious citizens set about to address the need for safe, affordable child care. Community members, the faith community, and Davidson College staff united around the creation of a unique center that would serve families of all income levels and backgrounds.

The Center currently provides high-quality early childhood education and child care on a sliding scale basis for families based on income level. Additionally, the Center offers an after-school program for children up to age 7.

For information about enrolling, or to make a donation to Davidson-Cornelius Child Development Center, please call Courtenay O’Neil at 704-892-1228 or email her at info@dc-childcare.org.