Selecting care for a child is a major decision for most parents and guardians. Because all children deserve quality child care, this decision is often made after an extensive and often exhaustive childcare facility search.

“There are a limited number of five-star child facilities in Rowan County,” said Michelle Macon, executive director of Cornerstone’s Child Development Centers.

Cornerstone’s Main Campus provides child-care services for six-week-old infants through 12-year-olds and is one of the few five-star licensed childcare facilities in the county. A five-star license means that a program meets the voluntary enhanced standards required for the highest star level recognized by the Division of Child Development and Early Education.

The center, which was established by Cornerstone Church of Salisbury in September 2000, increased its rating from four star to five star in October.

The church now has four child development centers – Main, City, East and North – and serves more than 280 families in Rowan, Cabarrus, Mecklenburg and Davidson counties.

Macon now plans to bring the other three child development centers from four star to five star programs as well.

Macon joined the Cornerstone Child Development Center leadership team in March. She has a bachelor’s degree in birth through kindergarten education from Catawba College, as well as eight years of experience as the program coordinator for Partners In Learning Child Development Center.

Her experience gives her the tools she needs to implement the center’s new improvement strategies.

Those strategies include hiring staff who have and/or are eager to obtain early education credits; provide internship opportunities for Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and Stanly Community College early childhood education students; strengthen parent involvement and communication and enhance educational curriculum by implementing Zoo Phonics, Creative Curriculum and child portfolios.

Cornerstone Child Development Centers is supported by Smart Start Rowan and Rowan County Department of Social Services. For more information on child-care enrollment or career opportunities, contact Macon 704-855-1218 extension 103, or email her at michelle@cornerstonecdc.com.