‘Quality’ recognition from state received by Marisa’s Playhouse

    Marisa Kunnemann of Marisa’s Playhouse in Imperial has been recognized by Nebraska Step Up to Quality for its commitment to quality child care and education.
    Step Up to Quality programs go beyond state licensing requirements to better serve the needs of young children and their families and to prepare them for success in kindergarten and beyond.
    With 90% of brain development occurring before age 5, early child care and education is crucial to a child’s future success.
    Studies show that children who receive quality early child care and education are more likely to show improved reading and math skills, attend college and earn higher wages.
    “It is crucial that providers and educators across the state have a mutual understanding of what quality looks like in the child care environment and that they feel supported on their path to quality,” said Lauri Cimino, director of Step Up to Quality.
    “Programs enrolled in Step Up to Quality have access to coaching and resources that enable any provider, big or small, to take quality to the next level.”
    Marisa’s Playhouse has achieved a Step 5 Rating for its participation in Nebraska Step Up to Quality.
    Marisa’s Playhouse started participation in 2013. In December, it had a Family Child Care Environmental Rating Scale observation. This was a major step in achieving the Step 5 Rating, owner Marisa Kunnemann said.
    Kunnemann is also participating in Rooted in Relationships and is finishing her third year.