JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A program to rate the city's nearly 400 child care centers kicked of Wednesday, with officials hoping the system will motivate facilities to provide a better pre-school education for kids.

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.

But regardless of the quality of the facility, Clark said it's the parents that make all the difference.

"Parents are invited in the class, or they can come read, bring an activity that they would like," said Clem Clark, a Just For Kids teacher. "The kids are more happy because of the parent involvement."

The city hopes to have every day care center voluntarily rated within 10 years.