“Let me just help him wash his hands and then I’ll be right back,” Tierheejah Welton says, walking a two-year-old student over to the sink to clean up after lunch. Tierheejah is a senior at South Philadelphia High School, a City of Philadelphia designated community school, earning her Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. Tierheejah, or “TT” as her students call her, interns part-time at Heavenly Made Creations, a PHLpreK program in Southwest Philadelphia.
Quality family providers, like #PHLpreK program Heavenly Made Creations, provide children with a cozy, safe and caring learning environment. pic.twitter.com/OF68QQZE54
— Mayor's Office of Ed (@PHL_MOE) June 1, 2017
“I’ve always wanted to take care of little kids. I’m the oldest girl in my family and I grew up taking care of my three younger brothers,” she says returning with a smile, and she has plenty to smile about. She’s a few short days away from completing her CDA, a few weeks away from graduating from South Philadelphia High School, and she’s been accepted to Community College of Philadelphia in the fall to earn a degree in Early Childhood Education.
“My favorite part of the day is story time. The children are so engaged. They ask questions. They tell me how they relate to the book. This morning we read Kitty Cat Kitty Cat Are You Going to Sleep?” Tierheejah has been interning at Heavenly Made Creations as part of her CDA program since March 2017. Adding to the reasons to celebrate, once she graduates from high school, she will officially accept a full-time job at Heavenly Made Creations.
Heavenly Made Creations is one of twelve PHLpreK programs that was able to increase its state-standard quality rating thanks to the Philadelphia Beverage Tax. In six short months the facility was able to move from a STAR 2-rated facility to a STAR 4, which is the highest quality rating a program can hold. Laverne, the owner, has been able to grow her business quickly: 3 of her 4 students are funded by PHLpreK.
It’s growing businesses like Laverne’s that are creating more opportunities for children and families. Across the city, 488 pre-K seats have earned new quality ratings since January thanks to PHLpreK, giving families more options and greater access to quality pre-K.
“Our mission is excellence,” Laverne says, proudly showing off her classroom, “I am always striving to do the best for my students.” And it’s that kind of commitment to quality that makes PHLpreK a worthy investment in Philadelphia’s future.