Executive Director

Dear Friends:

Last year, Child Care of the Berkshires  made great strides in implementing continuous quality improvement initiatives, especially through certification and credentialing initiatives with nationally recognized organizations. We are especially proud that two of our child care centers achieved accreditation through the NAEYC (the National Association for the Education of Young Children). The Healthy Families Program also continued their efforts in meeting 12 standards such as staff training, supervision, client participation and governance, as established by Healthy Families America. This was a State-wide process, occurring at all 30 Healthy Families sites and coordinated through the Children’s Trust Fund. It was announced recently that the Massachusetts Healthy Families programs have successfully been credentialed.  And finally, with a special grant from the State Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), the Resources for Child Care program undertook a Quality Assurance initiative through the National Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies. This process ensures that families across the county have access to consistent, high quality consumer education and referral services. These initiatives are consistent with our “pursuit of excellence” value. CCB continues to review all our programs, their outputs and activities as well as their effectiveness. We are continually asking, “Can we do this better, or more efficiently or more effectively?” EEC also awarded CCB a $20,000 Quality Improvement grant for improvements in playground space and classroom materials. We have secured some new monies to improve the physical space in one of our facilities, as very young children spend many hours a week in our child care centers. We are committed to demonstrating the gains children make in their formative years, in both our child care programs and in our family support programs, using a well–designed assessment tool throughout the agency. CCB collaborated with the Children’s Trust Fund once again in bringing the Steps of Hope to Berkshire County, to raise awareness of child abuse and effective prevention programming. We are governed by strong leadership and support of an active Board of Directors, with John Craig as President, and through the work of various committees, including the Finance Committee, the Personnel Committee, Fund Development and the newly formed Strategic Plan Committee.  Our agency is strong, dedicated and committed to supporting children and families because of the fine work of many persons, including staff, family child care providers, our contributors and funding partners. Thank you for helping in our efforts. We look forward to another year of high quality and effective services.

Anne Nemetz-Carlson

Executive Director