We’ve had lots of great things said about us!

Awards & Proclamations During its thirty year history, Rainbow Chimes has always fulfilled its agency mission to nearly 5,000 children and their families in an exemplary manner. Such experience and commitment derives directly from years of creative leadership in the early childhood education and care arena. The RCI programs, staff and parents have been recognized with many Grant Awards, Donor Contributions, and prestigious Program, Service, and Community Awards.

Our Community, Capital & Project Grants enabled us to build our Huntington Facility.

• $100,000 Community Enhancement Facilities Assistance Program
• $500,000 Dormitory Authority Capital Funding
• $100,000 NYS Office of Children & Families Program Start-up Grant
• $150,000 Senate Member-Initiative Grants from Carl Marcellino
• $120,000 Town of Huntington Community Development Grants
• $25,000 Non-Profit Finance Fund
• $10,000 Chamber of Commerce Project Grant
• $8,600 Townwide Fund of Huntington

Program Awards

• In September 2000, Governor Pataki chose Rainbow Chimes as the site to sign the landmark Quality Child Care Protection Act. This distinctive honor was due to the outstanding accolades about our program from legislators, funders, community members, and the media.
• In cooperation with Western Suffolk BOCES, Rainbow Chimes key team members applied for, and implemented, an “Even Start Grant for Family Literacy Programs.” This RCI/BOCES collaboration, through its association with the Center for Family Resources, went on to receive the prestigious Barbara Bush Award for Literacy for their implementation of the High/Scope Curriculum in a family literacy program. Rainbow Chimes’ Dix Hills site was then designated a “Model Center” for family literacy programs throughout New York State.
• Rainbow Chimes was honored with the 1991 Suffolk County Child Care Center of the Year Award; this was the last year such an award was issued.
• Accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) was first received in February 1994. This was due, in part, to Rainbow Chimes’ implementation of the High/Scope Educational Approach, which is synergistic with NAEYC’s position on developmentally appropriate programs for children. RCI’s Dix Hills site has maintained continuous accreditation, and the new Huntington site is in the final self-assessment phase to renew its own accreditation.

Service Awards

• In 2008, the Executive Director of Rainbow Chimes, Katie Roche, was selected as 2008 New York State "Woman of Distinction," by the New York State Senate. The award honors women "who exemplify personal excellence or whose professional achievements or acts of courage, selflessness, integrity or perseverance serve as an example to all New Yorkers."

• In 2001, the Child Care Council of Suffolk presented Rainbow Chimes with their award for providing quality Early Childhood Education services to the Huntington community for twenty years.
• The Child Care Council of Suffolk the Council gave parents of children enrolled at RCI a special award for their outstanding involvement and contributions to the local early childhood education and care industry.
• The Executive Director, Kathleen Roche, was given the American Association of University Women’s “Women Who Make a Difference” award for efforts related to Rainbow Chimes’ notable advocacy for quality early childhood education and care.

Community Awards

• In 2009 and 2008, Rainbow Chimes was designated "The Best of LI" nursery school by the Long Island Press. 

In 2001, the Child Care Council of Suffolk presented the Rainbow Chimes with the Dianne Grayson-Wallace Award for advocacy on behalf of children and families.

• RCI’s Executive Director, Kathleen Roche, was honored with the Suffolk County Women in History award for work related to Rainbow Chimes and the community. She was also a member of the Suffolk County Executive’s elite Child Care Task Force.
• Rainbow Chimes leaders were chosen to be part of the "Panel of 300 Child Care Directors” nationwide who are solicited for areas of expertise in early childhood education for the Child Care Information Exchange publication.
• Rainbow Chimes was selected as one of 200 centers, nationwide, to participate in a quality child care study sponsored by Senator Edward M. Kennedy.