A Family Tree School-Age Enrichment Program located on 42 Greco Lane in Warwick has received a five star BrightStars rating.

BrightStars rates each program based on eight different divisions: child’s daily experience, curriculum, minimum staff-child ratio, maximum group size, family involvement, lead staff qualifications, program director qualifications and program management. At Level 5, the program submits plans which detail program planning for at least a month in advance which include weekly opportunities for active physical activity, creative expression, academic support and family communication.

At this level, each lead staff member attains an associate’s degree or higher and the site coordinator has a bachelor’s degree in Child Development or a related field. The highest bar in the quality continuum for childcare programs is approval under RIDE’s 2013 CECE Standards for approval to continue.

BrightStars is Rhode Island’s tiered quality rating and improvement system. BrightStars evaluates various education programs on their quality of early learning in order to help programs to expand on the best practices and apply them to the care the children receive.

A Family Tree School IV is the first and only five star-rated stand-alone after school program in the state of Rhode Island. Currently Warwick has two child care programs rated five stars including Crayons Early Care & Education Center and A Family Tree IV.

When asked, owner and president Erica Saccocio said the key to her success is to “have family friendly policies, lots of family engagement and a passionate staff that has continuously worked together since the program opened.”

Family Tree has four locations in Warwick and opened its doors first in 2008. All locations are licensed by DCYF and take DHS. Currently their Pre-Kindergarten locations have waiting lists and there are extremely limited spots open for its summer camp program. A Family Tree IV located on 42 Greco Lane also serves children from West Warwick, Cranston and East Greenwich.