Cyber Ed Learning Center III, which opened less than a year ago in Southern Pines, has already received the prestigious five-star rating from the N.C. Division of Child Development.

This rating is even more significant given the fact that now all three Cyber Ed Learning Centers have a five-star rating. Five stars denote the highest accreditation level for a child-care center in North Carolina, and are based on staff education and program standards.

Sharyn Trinko, owner of Cyber Ed, said she is thrilled to have achieved this "trifecta" for her child-development centers in Moore County.

"This directly reflects the quality we have always strived to provide to all of our children and parents in Moore County," Trinko said. "I sincerely appreciate all the hard work, dedication and professionalism of our employees. We couldn't have done this without them."

Between the three Cyber Ed Learning Centers, child care ranges from infant, preschool and kindergarten through fifth grade. After-school programs include toys, arts and crafts, science, computers, music and study areas for older children. The emphasis is on fun after school, and parents and children love it, Trinko said. The children are safe, nurtured, and homework is completed each day.

Trinko was a second-grade teacher at Pinehurst Elementary school when she began brainstorming about the possibility of going into the child-care business, focusing primarily on pre-school and after-school care. Through the help of SCORE and her students, she created a business plan for a child-care facility that children would not only thrive in, but also enjoy.

"My students were my biggest business advisers," Trinko said. "I will always credit them for my successes, and I am proud of what our combined vision has achieved."

The first Cyber Ed Learning Center opened in a small space on New Hampshire Avenue in downtown Southern Pines in 1999.

Having outgrown its New Hampshire location, within a year, Cyber Ed I moved to its current location on the campus of Southern Pines Elementary School.

"I was honored when (then) principal Burgin Beale approached me about taking on the child care for both my growing center and the students at Southern Pines Elementary," Trinko said.

In 2008, Cyber Ed II opened in Seven Lakes, and quickly achieved its five-star rating. The 2,000-square-foot facility includes two outdoor fenced playgrounds plus multiple indoor spaces appropriate for infants and after-school programs.

To meet growing demand for child care, Trinko opened Cyber Ed III next to the VFW Post in downtown Southern Pines for infants through preschool. Since that time, the facility quickly filled to capacity, as are Cyber Ed I and II. This made for a very busy couple of years.

"It has been extremely rewarding to work with so many children and parents throughout the years," Trinko said.

Each Cyber Ed location has an open-door policy during the day. All interested parents are welcome to drop by any location at any time for more information. The phone number is (910) 695-6127. Information is also available on its Web site at www.ecybered.com.