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My center participates in a quality improvement program that awards stars. The first year we participated, we only earned 3 out of 5 stars. We worked really hard and did many things to better our environment, schedule and program. The following 3 years we have earned 4 stars. It if very difficult (and expensive) to earn 5 stars, there are usually only a handful of 5 stars out of just under a hundred participants. Most are 2 or 3 stars. We have not changed much, if anything, we thought we had continued to maintain or improve. The guy that did our assesment this year was very snobby, overly critical, and generally seemed like he was not very into his job. I got the call yesterday,.we lost a star and was only awarded 3 stars. To be eligible for 4 stars, you had to earn a 4.5 on your assesment. Our score was 4.47. So yeah, we missed it by .03 points. No, they don't round up. It is so upsetting to lose a star, but by that small of a margin is totally upsetting. We were actually thinking we had a good shot at 5 stars. I could tell from the dude's attitude we might not make 5, but 3 is a slap in the face. So bummed out. I an ready to opt out of the program, but then I could no longer accept state-paid kids. That really breaks my heart because I really want the less fortunate to be able to attend. But I am worried the 3 starrating will look mediocre to potential clients. It seems very unfair. The assesment is very subjective and a dude with a 'tude who seemed to be in "gotcha" mode has really hurt me. Should I opt out, or accept the 3 stars and not worry about it and just work on getting my star back next year?
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Is it possible to appeal something like this? Go over his head, so to speak?
This is exactly the reason that I can't seem to get on board with the new rating program in our state. Who's to say you will get a fair evaluation on any given day - and then you're stuck with whatever some evaluator who's having a bad day decides. Not for me unless I'm forced into it.
Hugs to you. You deserve better. -
I would go over top of the inspector and speak to his supervisor. Tell her how he was while he was there and invite her to come out and see for herself that you are 4 star quality.
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I feel so bad for you!
I used to be accredited (by our city, when I lived in Madison). Then I left the business, (for 10 years) and in the meantime, the state began it's "Youngstar" program. I started up again last February. You have to earn 23 points to be a 4 star (and have AT LEAST 24 college level credit in early childhood-that's the first 10 points). To be a 5 star, you have to have an associate degree in early childhood and get 33 points.
I am a 2 star right now! Not because of the quality of my program, but because of my lack of college credits (the 100's of hours of continuing ed I did don't count). THe rest of the stars come from the FCCERS. The rater spends 7 hours watching you and following you around in order to rate you. 7 hours!
When they sent me my sticker to "proudly" display, I threw it into the trash can. Now I am going through the process again, and in the meantime, I have taken 4 3-credit classes and a 1-credit class. When the semester is over, I will be at 24 credits...yay!
Now comes the tough part. I have heard through the grapevine that providers have spent thousands of dollars to get higher ratings. These are people who were good providers, but in order to get a good rating on the FCCERS, they needed to make ALOT of changes.
So, anyway...sorry I went off on a tangent, but this is a hot spot for me now too. I am really sorry that the rater was a stinky-butt. Is there an appeal process? If you were only .03 off I would definately appeal if you can!Comment
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The only appeal is to be re-evaluated, which means another 4 hours of.someone following us.around with a clip board. It is incredibly stressful. I can't go through that again. Thanks for the hugs.Comment
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Bbo, yeah we are in the same boat. Thanks for listening.Comment
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Our state is currently piloting a "star program" like you describe. Thus far, it appears to be voluntary. I haven't looked into it for the very reason you describe: how can we providers be assured that we receive a a valid, fair, unbiased, and objective evaluation? How will the state ensure that the ratings won't vary widely based on who is conducting the observation (and his/her mood that day)? How will the state ensure that wealthier programs and providers don't have a major upper hand in achieving a higher star status?
If I were you, I would attempt to speak with the evaluator's supervisor. Go over your observation thoroughly and be able to specifically describe where you think you should have received a higher score. I think you will be more likely to get a favorable response if you talk specifically about the elements you feel you got shorted on instead of a general complaint about the evaluator's attitude.
If your inquiry falls on deaf ears, just focus on getting your star back next year. It seems as though socio-economic diversity is very important to you and your program. Therefore, you should focus on the positive. Maybe you could even create photo displays for current and prospective families about what you are doing to improve the program.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do!Comment
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I have not received the full evaluation in the mail yet, just the call. You are right bigmama, I would definitely address specific areas he scored us lower in than the previous years. Complaining about his demeanor will get me nowhere. I just can't suffer another evaluation.Comment
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I'm right there with you Bigmama. I am NOT happy about it AT ALL.
Have you seen the results from the Field test? Not very promising.Comment
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What does that mean, Mel? Field test...
I WI, if you are accredited by NAEYC or the City of Madison, you automatically get a 4 star (without a degree) or a 5 star (with a degree). They do not do another rating session.
Out of the many 1000's of licensed and certified family providers in WI, 52 got a 4 or 5 star, and 50 of those are already accredited. That means all the rest are 2 or 3 star. One star means you don't even meet basic safey standards, and your most likely on your way to being shut down. This year will be the 2nd year of the program, so some providers may get higher stars the 2nd time around....
I just checked, and there are 3300 family providers!
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we don't have this here, we do have a star rating for restuarants, many have closed up because of the stars. The problem with the star program is that parents would only rely on those stars. Kinda of sad.Comment
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Our state is offering a rating system too. Not manditory, but they are offering a higher pay rate on subsidies if you do. I see alot of flaws in it too. Even our licensing specialists are all different
I have a licensing specialist who is BY THE BOOK. Which is okay if they were all like that, but now they are putting all your inspections online. My licensing specialist said that she has been doing it for 6 years and has only had 4-5 times where a provider got a 100%.
I had my inspeciation 1 week after a DCGs 1st birthday. According to regs there is an immunization that needs to be given at 12 months. So I got marked noncompliant for her shots not being up to date. The mom called the dr and they said they give that immunization at 15 months. I had to get a letter from the doctor stating that she was scheduled to receive the shot on such-n-such date to be compliant.
Since all our inspections are now online all it says is I was marked noncompliant in having up to date shot records and it shows what date I became compliant. It gives no explanation.
Really I have to focus all this energy into the immunization records and arguing with doctors and parents on when to schedule appointments and when to administer shots? I think that my time could me appropriately be focus on children.
I also got marked noncompliant for having complete childrens records. Why? because on a form a mom had put childs birthday with the current year instead of the year they were born.
Not all licensors are that strict. In fact, the licensors for home daycare are the same licensors for the centers. So for me, a home provider, they go through every childs record at a center they only pick a handful. Alot of providers are really upset because if you look at compliance records the centers are being shown in a brighter light than family childcare homes, which isnt a fair interpretation.
Seems to me they are basing so much on paperwork and ratings instead of looking at the program and environment that is being provided for the kids.
Also I dont know about anyone else but I know my kids and they never behave the same way when there is someone else new here, so to have someone hang out here for 4 hour, even though I have a good handle on my kids, sounds exhausting. And then it be left up to interpretation sounds no fun!
Seems almost like they should have 3 people come out and score and throw the top and bottom one out, or average the 3 on evaluations like this.
Sorry, just my 45 million cents.
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OUr licensing is "online" now too, and the one good thing they did is let us put our action plan on as well. So, if you want an opportunity to explain a non-compliance, you can add it to your plan, and parents will see it.Our state is offering a rating system too. Not manditory, but they are offering a higher pay rate on subsidies if you do. I see alot of flaws in it too. Even our licensing specialists are all different
I have a licensing specialist who is BY THE BOOK. Which is okay if they were all like that, but now they are putting all your inspections online. My licensing specialist said that she has been doing it for 6 years and has only had 4-5 times where a provider got a 100%.
I had my inspeciation 1 week after a DCGs 1st birthday. According to regs there is an immunization that needs to be given at 12 months. So I got marked noncompliant for her shots not being up to date. The mom called the dr and they said they give that immunization at 15 months. I had to get a letter from the doctor stating that she was scheduled to receive the shot on such-n-such date to be compliant.
Since all our inspections are now online all it says is I was marked noncompliant in having up to date shot records and it shows what date I became compliant. It gives no explanation.
Really I have to focus all this energy into the immunization records and arguing with doctors and parents on when to schedule appointments and when to administer shots? I think that my time could me appropriately be focus on children.
I also got marked noncompliant for having complete childrens records. Why? because on a form a mom had put childs birthday with the current year instead of the year they were born.
Not all licensors are that strict. In fact, the licensors for home daycare are the same licensors for the centers. So for me, a home provider, they go through every childs record at a center they only pick a handful. Alot of providers are really upset because if you look at compliance records the centers are being shown in a brighter light than family childcare homes, which isnt a fair interpretation.
Seems to me they are basing so much on paperwork and ratings instead of looking at the program and environment that is being provided for the kids.
Also I dont know about anyone else but I know my kids and they never behave the same way when there is someone else new here, so to have someone hang out here for 4 hour, even though I have a good handle on my kids, sounds exhausting. And then it be left up to interpretation sounds no fun!
Seems almost like they should have 3 people come out and score and throw the top and bottom one out, or average the 3 on evaluations like this.
Sorry, just my 45 million cents.
The original plan here was that higher stars would get more $ for state funded kids, but they changed that to lower stars get LESS money instead. Oh, and they put all family childcare on attendance based only. Ironically, FCCERS says a provider must get at least 5 paid days off per year. So, low-income people who qualify for chilldcare funding have to now pay that out of their own pocket, as well as every sick day, unless the provider is willing to eat those.
The centers are as of yet still being paid on enrollment, so now caseworkers are telling clients "you can't afford family childcare"!Comment
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I hate the new star systems.
Who has seen the movie Daddy Day Care?
By the star standards, the horrible institution school run by Angelica Huston would have a 5 star rating.
In real life,,,I would want my kids at Daddy Day Care any time.Comment
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