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AsMichiganx19stieredqualityratingandimprovementsystemGreatStarttoQualitygetsunderwaytherearequestionscertaintogenerateconversationamongMichiganx19searlylearningeducators.Inparticularx1cWhatdoeshigh-qualityearlylearninganddevelopmentlooklikex1dandx1cHowdoesitmakeadifferenceinthelivesofinfantsandtoddlersx1dSonyaBrannonalicensedearlylearninganddevelopmentcenterdirectorinDetroitalreadyhasmadearigorousjourneyintotheworldofimprovedqualityasoneof120enrolledparticipantsinathree-yearpilotqualityimprovementprograminDetroitx19sBrightmoorneighborhood.WorkingwithamentorBrannonwhoservesmostlylow-incomefamilieswasabletoassessqualityareasofhersmallbusinessandidentifyareaswhereshecouldimprove.Shelearnedsheneededtoestablishadailycurriculumencouragebetterinteractionsbetweenherstaffandchildrenandimproveplayandlearningspacesoutdoors.WithhelpfromtheT.E.A.C.H.EarlyChildhoodMichiganscholarshipprogramsomestaffmemberswereabletoaccesshighereducationopportunities.OthersweresupportedwithworkforcetrainingthroughtheGreatStarttoQualityResourceCenter.A1000grantfromtheMaxM.andMarjorieFisherFoundationmadeitpossibleforBrannontoinstallproperoutdoorfencingandpurchasetoysforheroutdoorplayarea.Andthebestpartx1cIx19veseenadifferenceinthekidsandIx19veseenadifferenceinthestaffx1dshesaid.x1cWiththeresearch-basedcurriculumweuseIseemoreengagementgoingonbetweenthestaffandchildren.AndIseealotmoreindependenceamongthechildren.x1dTodayBrannonmentorsandworkswiththreeearlylearninganddevelopmentprogramstwoin-homeandonecenter.x1cIx19veseenadifferenceinthekidsandIx19veseenadifferenceinthestaff.Withtheresearch-basedcurriculumweuseIseemoreengagementgoingonbetweenthestaffandchildren.AndIseealotmoreindependenceamongthechildren.x1dSONYABRANNONlicensedearlylearninganddevelopmentcenterdirectorinDetroit6GREATSTARTSHERESPRING2012