Quality Rating & Improvement System (QRIS)
What Is a Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS)?
- QRIS initiatives help define “quality child care” using research based criteria.
- Child care programs are assessed and given a number of “stars” to indicate what level the program has reached (similar to hotels and restaurants).
- QRIS initiatives lead to greater parent and community awareness of quality programs.
- Increased resources offered through QRIS help child care programs improve and sustain higher quality.
- There are currently 18 states operating QRIS for Early Care and Education programs.
Silver State Stars QRIS
The Division of Welfare and Supportive Services (DWSS), Office of Early Care and Education has formed a committee to design and implement a QRIS for Nevada. Over 40 people representing more than 30 agencies are participating on this project. It is called the Silver State Stars QRIS and is a 5-star model.
Vision:
Every early childhood program in Nevada facilitates healthy growth and development which prepares and promotes children's success in school as measured by the state rating system.
Mission:
Establish a standard to measure and improve the quality of early childhood programs and educate families, providers, and the community.
Silver State Stars QRIS Pilot Project:
The purpose of the pilot project is to gather information and evaluate the criteria and design of the model. Centers that participate will not be officially rated or made available to the public. The pilot is scheduled for two years. After the first year is completed, adjustments will be made to the model or project as needed. Continuation of the Silver State Stars QRIS after the second year will depend on the success of the pilot and funding availability.
- The pilot is limited to licensed child care centers in Southern Nevada.
- Through a random drawing a total of 24 centers have been selected.
- The pilot project began July 2009 with the 12 child care centers listed below:
Year One Centers Include:
- Acelero Head Start (MLK)
- Children’s Choice Learning Center (Sunset Station)
- CSN – ECE Lab School
- Creative Kids Learning Center (Farm)
- Hill & Dale Child Development Center
- Kids R US Academy
- La Petite Academy (Centennial)
- NCIC Learning Center
- Seton Academy West
- Trinity United Methodist Christian Preschool
- Variety Early Learning Center
- Watch Me Grow
Centers participating in the pilot project receive:
- A pre/post evaluation using the Environmental Rating Scales;
- Six months of intensive technical assistance;
- A grant based on the size of the center; and
- A bonus for successfully completing the pilot requirements.
Pre/post environmental ratings are conducted by Jennifer Kalas, Consultant. Technical assistance is provided by the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. Data collection and evaluation is conducted by the Nevada Institute for Children’s Research and Policy.
For more information, please contact Patti Oya at poya@dwss.nv.gov.
Download a copy of the current QRIS model dated 5/29/09.
FUZE