Exemplary child services

Two Children’s Center employees honored for work

MORRISVILLE, N.Y. » Two staff members from the Children’s Center at Morrisville State College were recently honored with statewide awards as the center also claimed national reaccreditation.

Robin Branch-Staelens, of Morrisville, was presented the Marcia Brady Administrator Award of Excellence at the 2017 SUNY Early Care & Education Confer- ence, held recently in Syracuse. The award recognizes administrators, center staff and community partners who have made significant achievements in the improvement and advancement of early care and education within the SUNY child care community.

Branch-Staelens has been employed with the Children’s Center for 22 years and currently serves as office manager. She holds a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential from the Council for Professional Recognition, the most widely recognized credential in early childhood education.

Ally Jablonski, of Hamilton, received the 2017 “Friends of Children” Direct Service Award. Presented by the Child Care Council of Cornell Cooperative Exten-

during its annual recognition dinner, the award recognizes and honors the dedication of people in Herkimer, Madison and Oneida counties who exemplify and promote the ideal of quality health and safety of children either through direct or indirect service and support to families.

An early care and learning teacher, Jablonski was nominated for the award by a local family for the everyday care she provides in her classroom and her personal connection with each child and their family. Jablonski, who has worked at the center for two years, is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in human services at Cazenovia College.

Kudos comes on the heels of the Children’s Center also receiving reaccreditation July 1.

The center remains the only licensed and nationally accredited center in Madison County.

The Children’s Center at Morrisville State College is a not-for-profit Early Care and Learning Center offering quality care to children ages six weeks to 12 years. Children are provided a safe, comfortable space to learn, explore and grow. The center is dedicated to promoting healthy eating and exercise as part of their daily routine while in care.

For more information about Morrisville State College, visit www.morrisville.edu.

PHOTO BY KEN CHAPMAN Staff members Robin BranchStaelens, left, and Ally Jablonski from the Children’s Center at Morrisville State College pose beside the center’s playground area.