Trends in Quality Rating and Improvement Systems September 2013

What Is a Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS)? A systematic framework for  evaluating,  improving, and  communicating the level of quality in early and school-age care settings. National Center on Child Care Quality Improvement2

What Does QRIS Look Like? Builds on foundation of licensing Has multiple steps of increasing standards between licensing standards and higher quality standards Offers supports/incentives for reaching higher levels Provides easily recognized symbols for higher levels National Center on Child Care Quality Improvement3

Why Develop a QRIS? Overall goal – to improve the quality of programs through system wide improvements Opportunity to do the following: – Increase quality of care for children – Increase parents’ understanding and demand for higher quality care – Increase professional development of child care providers National Center on Child Care Quality Improvement4

Why Develop a QRIS (cont.)? Creates an alignment – between licensing, subsidy and quality and – across child care, prekindergarten and Head Start Links supports and initiatives to a specific quality framework Provides an accountability measure for funding and quality initiatives National Center on Child Care Quality Improvement5

Connecting Existing Initiatives National Center on Child Care Quality Improvement6

Common QRIS Elements Program standards Supports to programs and practitioners to improve quality Financing incentives specifically linked to compliance with quality standards Accountability – quality assurance and monitoring Outreach and consumer education National Center on Child Care Quality Improvement7

Implementation of QRIS Elements According to the CCDF Plans, – 28 States identified themselves as operating a QRIS statewide – 8 States/Territories indicated that they were conducting a pilot Since the plans were submitted, a few States – MN, NV, NY, WA – began to implement QRIS by rolling it out across geographic areas of the State National Center on Child Care Quality Improvement8

Changes Occurring in QRIS There is a lot of change occurring now – States are implementing major revisions to their QRIS standards and systems OH, IL, MD – States are developing or piloting new QRIS models CO, DC, MT, NM National Center on Child Care Quality Improvement9

Determining Quality Standards Standards that research has shown to have an impact on quality: – Classroom structure: Child-staff ratios and group size – Staff qualifications: Caregivers’ and administrators’ education, training, and experience – Program dynamics: Curriculum, learning environment, and parent engagement Often measured with classroom assessments (ERS, CLASS, etc.) Other Standards – Family/community partnerships – Administrative practices – Cultural and linguistic diversity – Provision for children with special needs – Health promotion National Center on Child Care Quality Improvement10

Common Categories of Standards Standard Categories Professional Development/Staff Qualifications/Training Curriculum and learning activities Program Evaluation/learning environment Administration and Business Practices Licensing Status/Compliance Family Engagement Ratios/Group Size Child Assessment Health and Safety Provision for Special Needs Care of special age groups, i.e., infants and toddlers, school age National Center on Child Care Quality Improvement11

Trends in Program & Quality Standards More frequent licensing revisions Cross walking standards Focus on health, e.g., Let’s Move! Child Care Longer development process for QRIS Fewer QRIS standards Hybrid or combination approach National Center on Child Care Quality Improvement12

Rating Assignment Building blocks – All standards in a level must be met to meet requirements of that rating level – Most States use this approach Points systems – Standards are assigned a point value, which are calculated to determine ratings Combination/hybrid – A combination of building blocks and points used to determine ratings – States who are revising are going to this approach National Center on Child Care Quality Improvement13

Program and Practitioner Support Outreach for participation in the QRIS – Orientation sessions and outreach staff Technical assistance – Mentoring and coaching – Help with accreditation Professional development and training – College courses leading to degrees and distance learning Financial incentives – Compensation awards, quality bonuses, and tiered reimbursement National Center on Child Care Quality Improvement14

Trends in Program and Practitioner Supports Orientation training Resource guides and toolkits Redesign of PD and CCR&R systems PD linked to program and child assessment outcomes Linkages with higher education National Center on Child Care Quality Improvement15

Financing Incentives Linked to Compliance With Quality Standards Tiered reimbursement rates Quality grants, bonuses, and awards T.E.A.C.H. (Teacher Education and Compensation Helps) Early Childhood® Project Scholarships Wage supplements Tax credits National Center on Child Care Quality Improvement16

Trends in Financial Incentives Alignment with QRIS participation and with standards Use of a variety of incentives Time limited based on progress Projecting costs with the Cost Estimation Model – A Cost of Quality Calculation tool is under development – Calculates costs to programs at levels of quality National Center on Child Care Quality Improvement17

Quality Assurance and Monitoring - Licensing Frequency of Inspections in Child Care Centers Number of States More than three times a year 34 Three times a year 33 Twice a year 714 Once a year 2725 Once every 2 years 62 Once every 3 years 00 Less than once every 3 years 11 Facility not inspected 00 Other frequency of inspection 31 N = 50 States, including DC and excluding ID. 18 Source: Trends in Child Care Center Licensing Regulations and Policies for 2011 (2013), by National Center on Child Care Quality Improvement, a service of the Office of Child Care, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. National Center on Child Care Quality Improvement

Quality Assurance and Monitoring - QRIS Roles Initially assessing program quality and assigning a quality level. Monitoring compliance to insure system integrity. Conducting classroom assessments (using the ERS, the Classroom Assessment Scoring System [CLASS], or another instrument). Providing training and technical assistance Managing system planning, engagement, and outreach National Center on Child Care Quality Improvement19

Trends in Quality Assurance and Monitoring Differential monitoring and weighted standards Increased use of portable devices in the field Increased reliance on data systems Enhanced policies and procedures Careful consideration of efficiencies National Center on Child Care Quality Improvement20

Parent/Consumer Education States use the following strategies to educate parents/consumers about the QRIS – Development of a understandable, quality rating indicator (or symbol) that families can use as a consumer guide – Posted quality ratings – CCR&R agencies work with parents and providers – Public awareness campaigns – Press releases – Informational brochures, Web sites, etc. – Publicized ratings – Partnerships National Center on Child Care Quality Improvement21

Trends in Parent/Consumer Engagement More sophisticated Web sites Memorable phrases – Texas’ Don’t be in the Dark about Child Care! – South Carolina’s Take responsibility to make sure your child is in a safe place. Look. Listen. Ask. Know before they go! Broad early childhood campaigns – North Carolina’s First 2000 Days campaign National Center on Child Care Quality Improvement22

Resources OPRE INQUIRE (Quality Initiatives Research and Evaluation Consortium) al/index.html#overview QRIS National Learning Network, BUILD Initiative QRIS Resource Guide oot/ oot/ QRIS Cost Estimation Model National Center on Child Care Quality Improvement23

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