Guiding Stars is a new program tracks Duval County day care facilities progress on criteria of staff training, the environment inside the classroom and the quality of education.
Gold stars will be awarded to child-care centers. The more gold stars, the better the facility.
"Just like a restaurant or a hotel, that's what I tell my teachers," said teaching coach Haley Sands. "(Parents are) going to want to choose a high-quality center."
Mayor John Peyton hopes this hands-on approach will help get children ready for kindergarten.
"This is an investment for personal and individual success, work force, and even public safety," Peyton said.
Just For Kids teacher Clem Clark said this program not only raises the bar for day care centers, it has made her a stronger teacher.