THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Sunday, July 31, 1994                  TAG: 9407290273
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN              PAGE: 06   EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Letter 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   48 lines

STORY RATING DAY CARE DIDN'T GIVE WHOLE PICTURE

A July 24 article (The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star) that listed area day-care centers and rated them according to their license omitted information on licensing categories for new child-care centers.

Our child-enrichment center, Enchanted Treasures, got a ``one,'' based on our license category when the information was gathered. It was not noted that our center was new and it is licensing procedure to issue a ``one'' the first year a child-care center is open. We wonder how many other new centers were labeled ``does not meet minimum standards consistently, needs supervision and reminders'' because they are a new center. We fall into a different category than centers with a ``one'' that have been in business for several years.

All new centers have six months to comply and are then issued a license for one year only. Three months after opening in June 1993, Enchanted Treasures met ``early compliance,'' and our one-year license was issued.

We have just completed our first licensing renewal inspection. We received high praise from our licensing specialist. Enchanted Treasures will be issued a multi-year license which will be proudly posted in our lobby.

We are all very proud of our staff, our program and the high standards we have set. It's hard to consider that a center with an age and developmentally appropriate curriculum, the fully stocked classroom with separate fire exits, USDA meals and snacks, a center working on national accreditation through the National Association for the Education of Young Children, employees who are not only TB and Criminal Records Check tested (as required by the licensing standards), but are required to complete an FBI fingerprinting and national security clearance, and employees with educational ranges from currently attending college to a master's degree, was classified by your article as ``less than standard.''

We have an open-door policy; visitors are always welcome. We provide a safe, happy, healthy learning environment for all children.

Brenda D. Galen

Enchanted Treasures Child Enrichment Center

Lake View Parkway

Suffolk

KEYWORDS: DAYCARE

by CNB