Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS) help families identify high quality child care programs. Quality ratings are an important indicator of child care quality.
A child care QRIS uses symbols such as stars or levels to rate a provider’s quality. Quality standards are used to evaluate and rate child care programs. Providers earn higher quality ratings as they meet more standards. These quality standards often include or build from the state licensing health and safety requirements. Many states also include standards specific to infants and toddlers as part of the QRIS.
A QRIS also helps child care providers improve the quality of their care. QRIS programs guide step-by-step quality improvements. Providers participating in the QRIS often receive additional training and coaching to help them increase the quality of their care.
Kentucky has also developed a new system called Kentucky All Stars. This system is currently in the pilot stages in Kentucky. Discover Zone has been selected and agreed to become a pilot program for the state to begin the early stages of implementing the new rating system. With this new system it is the goal of Kentucky as well as Child Care Aware to bring a level rating system to all states so when a child moves the standards are in place to ensure children receive the same quality throughout the country.
Click below for more information
http://chfs.ky.gov/dcbs/dcc/stars/
