Welcome to
Colorado’s Quality Rating and Improvement System:
The Next Generation

Revised February 12, 2013

 

Provide Feedback via Email  or  via our Online Feedback Survey

September 10, 2010 Feedback Survey Results 

Master Membership Roster for the QRIS: The Next Generation

QRIS Design Team Roster 

 

The Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) planning and redesign process includes representatives from many organizations who have come together to review Colorado’s current QRIS,  identify how to improve QRIS based on what has been learned from research and best practices, and develop recommendations for an improved system that meets Colorado’s needs.  This effort, QRIS: The Next Generation began in February 2010.  The large stakeholder group was made up of over 50 partner organizations whose charge was to review the current Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) and develop recommendations to improve upon the current system and take it to the next level.  Draft recommendations were completed at the end of 2010 in the following areas:

• QRIS Standards
• Provider Supports and Financial Incentives
• Financing and Sustainability
• Marketing and Outreach

 

In 2011 the planning and redesign work continued under the Design Team to further develop recommendations.  In 2012, the Division of Early Care and Learning contracted with Oldham Innovative Research to fully develop the draft recommendations in the areas of standards and indicators, accountability and monitoring, provider supports and incentives, a guidance document for providers, and a consumer engagement plan.  

 

The purpose of this web site is to:

• Provide information and updates on Colorado's Quality Rating and Improvement System planning process

• Solicit your feedback

• Provide links and resources on the Quality Rating and Improvement System and other quality building initiatives
  

   

Background

 

Colorado is committed to improving the quality of early learning and school-age programs for families and children. Many quality initiatives have been developed over the years to support early learning and school-age programs in strengthening their programs. Some of these initiatives include: professional development, school readiness, coaching and mentoring, child care resource and referral services, the Early Childhood Councils and the Qualistar Rating™. Many of these initiatives are the result of partnerships with various state, county, and local organizations working together toward the same goal - to improve early learning and school-age programs. 

QRIS: The Next Generation is not a stand-alone initiative; it builds upon the numerous quality initiatives in the state and connects with state and local committees such as the Early Childhood Leadership Commission and Early Childhood Councils.  One of the targeted focus areas in 2011 are to establish formal strategic linkages with the Early Childhood Leadership Commission, ensure that the statewide Professional Development Plan developed in 2010 is embedded in the QRIS standards, align and incorporate the work from various ongoing initiatives related to data systems, child outcomes and measurements, supports and financial incentives for providers, and financing strategies.  

 

What are the basic components of a Quality Rating and Improvement System nationally?

 

• It's a two-part process that 1) rates the level of quality in early learning and school-age programs, and 2) assists programs in attaining higher levels of quality through supports and resources.
  
• QRIS ratings translate into quality levels and these levels may be shown as numbers of stars or other symbols denoting different levels. 
  
• The quality rating of a program is based on standards that research shows make a difference in the quality of a program. Elements such as the education and professional development of teachers, the ratios of teachers-to-children and group sizes, the environment and staff-child interactions in classrooms, parent involvement, and teacher salaries contribute to the quality of a program.
  

 

National importance is being placed on QRIS development and is a priority for the Office of Child Care, Administration for Children and Families under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Please see http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/occ/news/qris-cost-estimation-model-and-resource-guide for a comprehensive national resource guide on QRIS.

 

Vision Statement

 

To develop a Quality Rating and Improvement System that is inclusive, accessible, and available to all providers, is embedded in licensing, and is reflective of evidence-based practices for successful outcomes for all children and families.

 

What are the goals?

 

• To make QRIS available and affordable for all early learning and school-age programs
• To improve the quality of early learning and school-age programs 
• To include centers, family child care homes, preschool and school-age programs
• To change Child Care Licensing regulations to reflect higher quality standards
• To develop a rated license in Colorado
  

What are the guiding values?

 

• Every child deserves quality 
• Quality begins at Level One 
• Input from all interested stakeholders is valued
• Rating levels are only part of the conversation
• The aspects of quality represented at each rating level will be based on practices that support positive child outcomes
• Status quo is not an option - this is a continuous improvement process
  

What strategic actions will be taken to shape the recommendations?

 

• Define and set standards for what high quality means in early learning and school-age programs 
• Study opportunities and needs for aligning and integrating QRIS within child care licensing addressing affordability, accessibility, availability, and accreditation
• Establish funding needs for a rated license, quality rating system, and quality improvement system that could be tied to reimbursement
• Embed the use of evidence-based practices into regulations that govern licensed centers, family child care homes, preschool and school-age programs

 

The Planning Process

The QRIS planning process was organized in February, 2010.  Four Work Groups were formed to develop recommendations and the Governance Infrastructure Committee was established as a steering committee. The Work Groups included: 

 

1. Standards and Accountability
2. Provider Support and Financial Incentives 
3. Financing and Sustainability
4. Marketing and Outreach

Final draft recommendations from the Work Groups and Governance Infrastructure Committee were submitted to the Department of Human Services in December, 2010 and included in the HB 11-1027 Legislation.  Since 2011, the recommendations have been further developed to include the following elements:

 

• Licensed centers, family child care homes, preschools and school-age programs will participate in QRIS.
• The Department of Human Services has authority over and will govern QRIS.
• Licensing standards equal Level One in QRIS.
• QRIS is mandatory for licensed programs at Level One.
• Division of Early Care and Learning Licensing staff will conduct the Licensing/QRIS assessments and monitoring for Level One.

• The QRIS system will be based on five levels.

• Parts of the QRIS rating and quality improvement activities may be contracted to another organization.

• Five areas of standards include:
  
  • Child Health Promotion
  • Workforce Qualifications and Professional Development
  • Learning Environment
  • Leadership, Management, and Administration
  • Family Partnership
    
• Four elements will be built into the standards:
  
  • Cultural Responsiveness
  • Health
  • Social-Emotional Development
  • Inclusion for Children with Special Needs
• Specialized standards will be developed for Infants/Toddlers and School-Age programs.

• Level One standards will be raised when licensing regulations are reviewed every five years.
• Level Two will consists of QRIS orientation modules and enrollment into the Registry.
• There is no requirement for programs at Level One to move to Level Two within a prescribed period of time.
• A rated license will be developed.
• A hybrid approach (combination of Blocks and Points) will be used to assess QRIS levels achieved by programs. 
• The QRIS program will be piloted under the Department of Defense Quality Child Care Standards Pilot Program (HB11-1027)
• Provider supports and financial incentives will be tied to QRIS levels and standards.

 

Communication and outreach efforts will seek ongoing input from multiple stakeholders as the planning process continues. 

QRIS: The Next Generation – Phase II Planning

Phase II of the planning process began in March 2011.  Most of the stakeholders engaged during 2010 in the Work Groups and Governance Infrastructure Committee continued their participation in 2011 and 2012 under the Design Team. 

 

The Division’s contract with Oldham Innovative Research concluded in December 2012.  Work under this contract has resulted in the development of the following elements:

 

1. Standards and Indicators in the five standards’ areas across five QRIS levels, including the four elements (cultural responsiveness, health, social-emotional development and inclusion for children with special needs).  In addition, specific indicators for infant/toddler and school-age programs.
2. An accountability and monitoring plan.
3. Recommendations on provider supports and incentives.
4. A guidance document for providers.
5. A parent engagement plan.
6. Development of a draft Request for Proposal for a contractor to operate portions of the QRIS program.
   

 

Marketing and Outreach efforts will continue throughout 2012 to reach stakeholders throughout the state with updates, discussions, and presentations.

 

Next Steps 
 

• This web site is one of many different ways to get information and updates to you and to get feedback from you. We will also send information updates to various statewide organizational newsletters, conduct webinars and surveys, and present information at conferences and meetings.
• Revised child care center regulations are being drafted and will be discussed in focus groups around the state and submitted to the State Board of Human Services for approval.  It’s anticipated new center regulations will be implemented in late 2013.  As with the Family Child Care Home regulations, implemented in 2010, the new Center regulations will equal Level One of the QRIS system.  This means that Licensing standards equal Level One. 
• In 2013, The Division of Early Care and Learning will develop QRIS implementation and operation plans.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

(updated 2/2013)

 

Q:	Why was the Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) planning process started?
A:	Research and best practices show that Quality Rating and Improvement Systems have been actively evolving across the country in the last ten years. We've learned about the characteristics of effective QRIS systems and about what doesn't work so well. It's time to examine what's working well in Colorado, review what other states are doing, review the research, identify needed improvements, and make recommendations for improvements. Another reason for beginning this planning process is that early learning and school-age programs have voiced concerns about the high costs of quality ratings - it's more than they can afford. One of the goals is to make QRIS available and affordable to many more programs.
Q:	What is the scope of responsibility of the QRIS planning process?
A:	The participants in the four Work Groups and Governance Infrastructure committee have developed a set of recommendations in 2010.  Under Phase II of the planning process, the first priority is to fully develop the Standards, followed by developing plans for Provider Supports and Financial Incentives and Financing and Sustainability.  This work continued through 2012 under the Design Team, with assistance of national experts and a contractor, Oldham Innovative Research. In 2013 the focus will shift to implementation planning.
Q:	When will the recommendations be finalized and approved?
A:	It’s anticipated that the recommendations will be finalized during 2013.
Q:	What role does Qualistar Colorado have in Colorado's Quality Rating and Improvement System: The Next Generation?
A:	Qualistar Colorado is responsible for conducting ratings and providing quality improvement activities now and will continue to do so until final decisions are made. Qualistar representatives provide experience and expertise to the planning process and are active participants in this process.
Q:	Has a recommendation been developed about who will govern QRIS?
A:	The Department of Human Services, Division of Early Care and Learning will govern and has authority over QRIS, with the possibility of contracting certain components of QRIS to a contractor.
Q:	Has a recommendation been developed that identifies what contractor will operate portions of QRIS?
A:	No. This will not occur until the recommendations are approved and an implementation plan is developed.
Q:	School-age programs are not currently part of the Quality Rating and Improvement System, how will they be involved?
A:	A recommendation has been developed to include school-age programs in the Quality Rating and Improvement System.
Q:	How were the standards selected?
A:	The Standards and Accountability Work Group conducted extensive research on all States who have QRIS systems, reviewed national research on QRIS standards, and considered Colorado’s framework and needs in identifying the standards. During 2012 Oldham Innovative Research, along with the Design Team, further developed the standards and identified indicators.
Q:	Why will Child Care Licensing conduct assessments and monitor Level One in QRIS?
A:	The revised Family Child Home and upcoming revised Center regulations include standards that translate into Level One.  Since Licensing staff already monitor child care programs, the additional function of assessing programs at QRIS Level One is an effective way to link Licensing with QRIS.
Q:	What is a hybrid approach to assessing levels?
A:	The recommendation to use both Blocks and Points in assessing programs is a hybrid approach that requires programs to meet all the indicators in the five standards’ areas for Levels One and Two, while assigning Points to indicators in the five standards’ areas for Levels Three and above.  The Points system provides more flexibility for programs in attaining higher Levels, based on ranges of points; while the Blocks approach ensures a standardized, building-blocks approach to meeting the important quality indicators at the lower levels.
Q:	What is a rated license?
A:	A rated license means the QRIS ratings achieved by child care facilities will be indicated on the child care license issued to child care centers, homes, and school-age programs.
Q:	How can I provide feedback?
A:	You can use the following link to e-mail questions or make comments and we will respond to your e-mails.  Also, any upcoming surveys will be posted on the website.  Throughout the year members of the Design Team will be attending meetings and conferences during which we will be seeking your input.

 

Other Helpful Links

 

1. QRIS Compendium

2. Early Childhood Leadership Commission (Early Childhood Colorado Framework)