Beyond the ordinary

Valued Kids is proud to be recognized as the FIRST childcare center in Lewis County to receive a Level 4 Excellence Early Achievers Rating—a level that reflects outstanding quality, strong classroom practices, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

What Is Early Achievers?

Early Achievers is Washington State’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) for childcare and early learning programs. It’s designed to help families identify high-quality childcare and to support centers and educators in providing the very best learning environments for young children.

Think of it as Washington’s way of making sure childcare programs are safe, nurturing, and giving children strong foundations for kindergarten and beyond.

How It Works

Childcare programs voluntarily participate and are evaluated across several areas of quality, including:

  • Classroom environment & learning materials

  • Teacher-child interactions

  • Curriculum and instruction

  • Child screenings & assessments

  • Health, safety, and nutrition practices

  • Family partnerships and communication

  • Cultural responsiveness and inclusion

Why It Matters

Early Achievers helps families:

  • Understand what to expect in a high-quality early learning program

  • Choose a childcare center that meets their child’s developmental needs

  • Feel confident that safety, learning, and emotional well-being come first

It also helps childcare centers improve through coaching, professional development, grants, resources, and ongoing support.

"I simply cannot express the professionalism and teaching Valued Kids has done for my son. He has grown so much. They have gone above and beyond to meet our needs and exceeded our expectations."