Nevada Silver State Stars Quality Rating & Improvement System (QRIS) is a voluntary program that is open to all child care centers in Nevada. This program is designed to help improve quality in early childhood education and child care settings. It is a rigorous process that involves a baseline assessment using a research based assessment tool called ECERS and then having a coach to help your center improve quality. After 1 year of coaching you have your final assessment and your Star rating is based off of that assessment. You can receive anywhere from a 1 to a 5 star rating. After your rating, you are in a maintenance period for the next 18 months before you are assessed again. As I stated, this is a completely voluntary program. However, every licensed center in the state will receive a rating whether they choose to participate or not. If your center decides no to participate, you automatically get a 1 star rating.
The assessment tool looks at 6 categories; Space and Furnishings, Personal Care Routines, Language and Literacy, Learning Activities, Interaction, and Program Structure. Each category has anywhere between 3 and 11 indicators. Each indicator is scored from anywhere between a 1.2 to a 7.3. After tallying all of the indicators for each classroom, your scores determine your Star level. I am happy and proud to say that the GBC Child and Family Center has earned 5 Stars. This is the highest level that you can achieve. We are one of only 3 centers in Northern Nevada to receive 5 Stars. This was a big accomplishment for our center and one that was celebrated!
There are pros and cons of participating in this program. It should be the goal of every child care center to have the highest quality program possible, but there are many reasons that many child care centers have chosen not to participate. Some are simply leery about participating in a pilot program and have chosen to wait to see if the outcomes are worth the effort. Others may feel that if they cannot receive a 5 star rating then why bother? I do completely understand this reasoning. One preschool that I know of that is very high quality and is Nationally Accredited only received a 2 star rating simply because the director does not have the degree required for this rating. This particular director is highly skilled and knowledgeable about her field but does not have the degree that they are looking for. This would be extremely frustrating! Other programs may feel that the indicators are too restrictive for their program.
While the process was stressful for our center, it was worth it in the end. It is always helpful to know what your strengths and weaknesses are so that you can move forward. Sometimes it is hard to see your weaknesses when you have been in the same environment for long periods of time. Or you may simply not know that what you are doing is no longer considered to be appropriate for your field. The knowledge that our center learned about ourselves was hard to hear at first for some of our teachers, however with coaching and the knowledge that the indicators were research based, it didn't take long for our teachers to get on board. I am so glad we did!
Amber,
ReplyDeleteThis is great information about the review system for child care facilities. I am a few years past needing childcare for my youngest, although this would have been a helpful assessment in determining where would be the best place to send them. It's a little unfortunate that centers that does not participate automatically gets a 1 star. I would think that if the program remains to be voluntary, they would find another way to 'rank' these centers. In addition, your example of another center that only received a 2 star because the director does not have the appropriate degree is a little disheartening. A degree is great and certainly what we are all working towards, although it is not the defining factor of knowledge or skill. I know many individuals who do not have degrees that excel in their profession.
It is great to know that we have such a great center at GBC. This has to be a great asset to the students who attend their classes on campus.
I believe that we all have room to improve and it appears that this system helps make improvements and recognizes areas where the centers excel. This is great. It's always wonderful to be noted when we do things right. Great post!
Amber,
ReplyDeleteMy wife also is in the Early Childhood Education program. She will be graduating this spring. I really like what you had to say about the six different categories. The GBC Child Center is a great place for the children to go learn. I have been in there and it seems like a great place to take children too. I have looked into taking my children there. My wife has also done her practicum there and would love to work there one day. I really liked the information you presented.