A Goochland child care provider was a member of a pilot program to improve child care services in home based settings.

From last December through July 1, Helen Payne, who operates Glory Home Child Care Preschool in her home in western Goochland, was part of the Virginia Star Quality Initiative’s statewide pilot program.

“It made the environment more school like,” said Payne, who is licensed to care for up to 12 children up to four years old.

The program, a partnership between the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation (VECF) and the Virginia Office of Early Childhood Development (OECD) was designed to improve the quality of care in home-based settings.

Six communities in Virginia were selected to participate in the pilot program. Grants went to local community organizations (ChildSavers in the Richmond area).

A grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, commonly known as “stimulus funds,” provided money for the project.

The child-care providers received mentoring services and feedback while participating in the pilot and were rated in four areas: education, qualifications and training of staff, overall learning environment, staff-to-child ratios and program management.

Payne said she applied to be part of the program to improve her operation.

“It’s a higher standard than just having a license,” she said. “Someone comes out to rate you and make suggestions and set goals for you.”

Payne said the program helped her reorganize her activity room, dividing it into sections for different subjects.

“It’s preparing the children for going into kindergarten,” she said.

For more information on the VSQI, visit www.smartbeginnings.org.