1. 1 QUALITYstarsNY Field Test Community Information Session 2010 WELCOME!

2. 2 AGENDA Welcome & Introductions Quality Rating & Improvement System QUALITYstarsNY The Field Test! Interested? Sign-up! Questions and Answers Anonymous Survey

3. 3 Quality Rating & Improvement System (QRIS)

4. What is a Quality Rating and Improvement System? System to support and sustain quality in all early learning settings Funding to help early learning programs improve quality Benchmarks to inform consumers about high- quality early learning Summary: An organized way to assess, improve and communicate the quality of early care and education programs

5. States and Communities Operating, Piloting, Designing or Exploring QRIS, August 2009

6. 6 What is QUALITYstarsNY?

7. For compliance with standards & revision of system Monitoring & Accountability Ongoing, adequate & linked to quality standards Financial Supports Program & professional development for programs & practitioners to meet and maintain quality standards Supports for Continuous Quality Improvement For consumers, programs, practitioners, funders Engagement, Outreach & Promotion for programs (and practitioners) aligned to Early Learning Standards Standards & Rating QSNY: Framework for our Early Learning System

8. Key Elements of QUALITYstarsNY Statewide and voluntary Five Star levels One Star granted to regulated programs after simple application Many ways to reach higher star levels through a point system Technical assistance, professional development and financial incentives to help all early learning settings improve

9. Brief History of QSNY The NYS QRS Work Group (2005- 2007) Focus groups with families & early learning programs & practitioners Design Group drafted standards and designed field test (2008 - 2009)

10. The Standards What is a “Standard?” –Defines a goal of practice –Based on scientific data or represents consensus on high quality QSNY Standards build on existing regulatory frameworks e.g. Head Start Standards, NAEYC and NAFCC Accreditation Standards Two versions of Standards: Center-based and Family home-based Draft versions are available online: www.qualitystarsny.org www.qualitystarsny.org

11. Where are we now? Governor’s Children’s Cabinet & Advisory Board embraced QRIS NYS Early Childhood Advisory Council tasked with implementing QUALITYstarsNY NYC Early Childhood Professional Development Institute is managing the field test: www.earlychildhoodnyc.orgwww.earlychildhoodnyc.org

12. 12 The Field Test!

13. 13 We Need You! We need your expertise Help make QUALITYstarsNY better In exchange you will receive: –Expert assessment –Quality consultation – $$$ –A plan to improve your programs

14. The field test is… –A way to test the system as it has been designed so far The field test will help us answer the questions: –How much effort does the application and documentation process take? –How well do the standards distinguish levels of quality? –In what ways, if any, should the point system be changed? –What might improve quality and how much does it cost? –What information about ECE quality and improvement is learned through the application and consultation process? The field test is not… –Exactly what will happen during full implementation; the process may change –A way to describe the quality of ECE in the State or any specific community (not a representative sample) The Field Test

15. 15 The Field Test Process Assessments Quality Consultant Expertise Standards Checklist and Documentation Provider Feedback Field Test

16. 16 Environment Rating Scale Assessment What does the ERS measure? –Schedule –Interactions –Accessibility of materials –Space management –Health & Safety Classrooms selected by Evaluator Approximately 50% of classrooms will be observed Observations will last approximately 4 hours per classroom/home

17. Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale - Revised (ITERS R) Birth through 36 months Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale - Revised (ECERS R) 37 months through entrance into 1 st grade Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale- Revised (FCCERS-R) Mixed age group in a home setting Environment Rating Scales

18. 18 Additional Assessments Some programs may also participate in some additional assessments: –Supports for early literacy development in preschools –Caregiver-child interactions in infant/toddler centers –Nutrition and opportunities for active play –Demonstration of cultural competence

19. 19 Standards Checklist Completion Standards checklist Supporting documentation Administrator and Staff Qualifications form Feedback Note: Points and ratings based on field test applications will not be publicized.

20. 20 Quality Improvement Planning Meet with an expert consultant Create a Quality Improvement Plan based on Director/Provider priorities Incorporate ERS scores and areas of improvement identified in the Standards Checklist Provide feedback Receive limited resources for plan implementation

21. 21 Provide Feedback Community Information Session Survey Standards Checklist Feedback QIP feedback Possible interviews (sample of participants)

22. 22 Field Test Tasks If you are selected to participate you will … –Complete Consent Forms –Schedule and allow ERS assessments –Complete Standards Checklist with supporting documentation –Complete Staff Qualification forms –Meet with a quality improvement consultant and develop an improvement plan –Participate in field test surveys and interviews

23. 23 Timeline TaskDate Apply to participateBy February 19 th Receive selection notification By March 5 th Schedule and receive ERS assessments March – May Complete standards checklist By April 19 th Receive assessment scoresBy May 31 th Meet with QI Consultant and complete surveys By June 30 th

24. 24 A Winning Partnership You’re helping to make this important initiative a reality. Benefits to Programs/Providers –Expert assessment –Quality consultation –Stipend –Support for professional development –EIP

25. 25 –All center- and family-based providers licensed/registered with OCFS or NYC DOHMH –Registered/licensed UPK and Head Start classrooms in CBOs and/or public schools –UPK and Head Start in public schools –4410/preschool special education classrooms –SED registered nursery schools Programs & Providers Eligible to Apply for the Field Test

26. 26 In urban, suburban, & rural communities Serving children with child care subsidies Privately funded programs Accredited and non-accredited programs Serving children & families from diverse language, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds Representing a range of quality levels & improvement needs Statewide Field Test Includes Diverse Sample

27. Participating Communities Represent the Diversity of NYS

28. 28 Apply to Participate If you are interested! Sign-Up! –Complete and mail the Application to Participate and Classroom Information Form (if applicable) Two versions: one for school or center-based sites and one for family home based sites Apply on-line! –www.surveymonkey.com/s/SchoolCenterApplicationwww.surveymonkey.com/s/SchoolCenterApplication –www.surveymonkey.com/s/FamilyHomeApplicationwww.surveymonkey.com/s/FamilyHomeApplication Application deadline is February 19, 2010

29. 29 Questions and Answers

30. 30 Common Questions Will my rating or scores be publicized? I am accredited. Why should I participate? What if I don’t agree with the ERS and standards checklist scores? If I participate in the field test, will my scores carry over into full implementation phase?

31. 31 More Questions?

32. 32 If you need more information… Contact your lead agency representative Contact Ola at (212) 652-2067 Visit the website: www.qualitystarsny.org www.qualitystarsny.org

33. 33 Thank you for coming! Please complete our brief survey.