Introduction to Quality Counts 2.0

Miami-Dade County’s Quality Rating & Improvement System (QRIS)

March 2013

What is a QRIS?• QRIS is a way to measure, identify, and improve

the quality in early care and education settings

• QRIS is a nationwide movement to look at and improve quality care for young children

Why do we need QRIS?• QRIS has expanded dramatically across the

U.S. in the past decade because:

• research has found a link between high-quality early experiences and positive outcomes for children

• few early care and education programs in the U.S. are high quality

Quality Counts is Miami-Dade’s QRIS• measures the quality of early care and education

(ECE) programs using several evidence-based standards of quality

• identifies a program’s current level of quality

• provides supports to programs to improve quality

• gives families an easy way of understanding quality by using a Star rating system

Quality Counts programs have improved quality!

Star 0; 2

Star 1; 79

Star 2; 167

Star 3; 151

Star 4; 47

Star 5; 12

Star 0Star 1Star 2Star 3Star 4Star 5

Star 1; 6

Star 2; 38

Star 3; 101

Star 4; 131

Star 5; 47

Star 1Star 2Star 3Star 4Star 5

Baseline Ratings Star Ratings

Quality Counts 2.0

• Level funding for Quality Counts

• Automated online system– more efficient & convenient, less paper

• Driven by providers– will be open to all interested programs who are eligible

• Focusing on children living in poverty

Transition to Quality Counts 2.0: Implementation Plan

Revised QC 2.0 ProcessQuality Counts Overview•online in Portal Eligibility check

(automated monitoring of licensing status)

Quality Counts Application•online in Portal

Staff Qualifications •Provider submits supporting documentation for staff qualifications

•Registry verifies data

Self-Study in Portal•Provider uploads supporting documentation for all other standards

•Navigator verifies data

Assessment•Devereux completes

Rating•Navigator rates based on:•verified Staff Qualifications•verified Self-Study•Assessment scores

Quality Improvement Renewal

QC 2.0 Eligibility Criteria1. Program must have been in operation for at least 1 year (licensed for over 1 year).

2. Program must meet the ELC Child Safety Licensing Policy– May not have one (1) Class I licensing violation or

more than three (3) Class II licensing violations of the same substandard in the past 12 months.

3. Program cannot have a probationary license.

Transition to Quality Counts 2.0:Center Standards & Rating

Old Standards vs. New Standards

1. Staff Qualifications

2. Learning Environment

3. Ratios & Group Sizes

4. Program Administration

5. Family Engagement

6. (Curriculum)

1. Staff Qualifications

2. Learning Environment

3. Curriculum

4. Health & Safety

5. Ratio & Group Size

6. Program Administration

7. Cultural Competence & Inclusion

QC 2.0 Staff Qualifications• Education– Quality Counts Career Pathway• formal, informal, or hybrid path

• Training– Credentials (Director, Staff)– Continuing Education Units (CEUs)• Training must be at least .4 CEUs (4 hours)

• Criteria for all levels of staff

QC 2.0 Learning EnvironmentPreschool classes:• CLASS Pre-K• ECERS-R Provisions for Learning

Infant & Toddler classes:• ITERS-R

• 1/3 of classrooms• 20% preschool classes will have a full ECERS-R

conducted

QC 2.0 Curriculum• Developmentally appropriate curriculum• Lesson planning• Curriculum-based observation & assessment• Use of child observation & assessment to

guide planning• Training on curriculum, content instruction

using curriculum, and Florida Early Learning & Developmental Standards for 4 Year Olds

QC 2.0 Health & SafetyLicensing:• maximum number of licensing violations

(Class II or III) in past 12 months

Health Promotion: • Survey of physical activity• Survey of food served• Incorporation of nutrition, physical activity,

and decreased screen time in the classroom

QC 2.0 Ratio & Group SizeRatio & Group Size• Criteria align closely with 1.0 standards• Considered NAEYC and VPK standards

QC 2.0 Program Administration• Administration practices open communication

with staff• Uses a variety of marketing strategies• Engages in financial planning & forecasting • Has a appropriate program structure

QC 2.0 Cultural Competence & Inclusion

Cultural Competence:• Knowing, understanding, respecting the

children and their families• Incorporating children’s backgrounds &

families in the classroomInclusion:• Developmental screening & follow up• Inclusive policies• Training for directors and teachers

QC 2.0 Rating System• Hybrid rating system– Staff Qualifications = BLOCK– Learning Environment = BLOCK– all other standards = POINTS

Staff Qualifications Learning Environment All Other Standards

Star 1 all Star 1 met all Star 1 met 1+ point

Star 2 all Star 2 met all Star 2 met 6+ points

Star 3 all Star 3 met all Star 3 met 11+ points

Star 4 all Star 4 met all Star 4 met 16+ points

Star 5 all Star 5 met all Star 5 met 21+ points

QC 2.0 Timeline

July – August 2013Last group of renewals using original

system will be rated Renewals using QC 2.0 begin

May – June 2013Welcome new providers into QC 2.0 Introduction to QC 2.0 and CLASS

training continues

March – April 2013Introduction to QC 2.0 Information Sessions CLASS training by United Way

Next Steps for QC Participants• Follow your typical 18-month renewal timeline.– If you renew now through July, you will be the last

providers to renew under the original system– If you renewed recently, your next renewal will be

using the QC 2.0 process, standards and rating.• Become familiar with the QC 2.0 standards and

rating process.• FYI: Your first QC 2.0 Star Rating will not be

publicized (just like a baseline rating).

Next Steps for Those Interested in QC

• For more information, visit our Quality Counts website www.elcmdm.org/qualitycounts or www.thechildrenstrust.org/quality-counts

• To complete an application, visit the QC Portal www.miamiqualitycounts.org

• FYI: Quality Counts is expected to open to all eligible providers in May 2013.

QC Provider Portal www.miamiqualitycounts.orgShared Resources: www.sharedresourcesFL.org

Contact us: qualitycounts@elcmdm.org

305-646-7242