Need help before going to a brainstorming meeting!!

[Lucy]

I got an email today that says my state is coming up with a system that "grades" providers on how much education they have. They need a name for it, and if we agree to come to a brainstorming meeting, we'll get 50 bucks!! It's only a 90-min session, so how could I pass it up???

Currently, when parents call for DC referrals, they are just told whether we "meet" or "exceed" the minimum education requirements. (Minimum is 8 hours). Well now the state wants to have..... well, let me just cut and paste a portion of the email:

We are planning to implement a Tiered Quality Rating and Improvement System (TQRIS). The TQRIS is a mechanism and set of supports designed to assess and communicate quality of licensed early education and care programs.

As part of this work, the Child Care Division is working with Pyramid Communications to develop a new name for the TQRIS. We now have a few options to choose from and we would like your input.

We have selected a small group of providers to participate in a discussion about potential names for the TQRIS. We’d like to invite you to be a part of that group.

So anyway.... who is clever and can help me think up possible names for this new program? I don't want to get to this meeting and sit there like a ding-dong, not saying anything, then collect my 50 bucks and go home! LOL. I want to have some input.

Anyone?? Thanks!

[Country Kids]

I'm going to one in about 20 mins. We have another meeting next week to figure out how many hours of training we have.

I'm not looking forward to this. I think this is the beginning of the STARS program for our state!

[Lucy]

I'm not familiar with STARS. What is that?

Let me know how your meeting goes! What are your thoughts about all this? Am I understanding correctly what the jist of it is, or is there more to it?

[Meeko]

I can think of a few names for these programs. None of them are printable.....

[Lucy]

Uh-oh. I'm getting a sinking feeling about this. Enlighten me.... I guess I'm not getting what it all means.

[Country Kids]

Uh-oh. I'm getting a sinking feeling about this. Enlighten me.... I guess I'm not getting what it all means.

Ok, just got back. You know how some of the providers talk about the STARS program in other states. Well this is what they are doing here.

We will have teir levels for our childcares. You will have to meet certain requirements for the next level. The higher the level, the more "quality" childcare you provide (supposably). I'm not happy at all. I received the handbook on it and already see problems with my set up.

We are able to do a 2 year pilot project with this and I so hope I get chosen to participate because I would love to have someone come in and see if with my set up I could even get to some of the higher levels.

[Lucy]

(Can't get quoting to work )

"You know how some of the providers talk about the STARS program in other states"

No, I really don't. I guess I've seen it mentioned here, but didn't give it any attention because it didn't apply to me. Can you enlighten me? What the heck are we talking about here? I thought it was just a way for our Resource & Referral to be able to tell potential DCP how much education we've had. Am I over-simplifying it? Is there going to be a higher requirement from us?

If I'm an under-achiever (LOL) can I just go on how I've been (meeting minimum requirements) and not caring? Yes... that describes me!! :: I have no desire to go above the 8 hours of education. Just send me the kids and have their parents give me regular checks! . (Don't blast me... I'm a good Provider with 18 yrs of experience. I'm speaking tongue-in-cheek here. But I really do only take the minimum requirements.)

Thanks, C.K.

[daycare]

Lucy. Just curious what state you are in?

[Country Kids]

Lucy. Just curious what state you are in?

She's with me!

[Country Kids]

(Can't get quoting to work )

"You know how some of the providers talk about the STARS program in other states"

No, I really don't. I guess I've seen it mentioned here, but didn't give it any attention because it didn't apply to me. Can you enlighten me? What the heck are we talking about here? I thought it was just a way for our Resource & Referral to be able to tell potential DCP how much education we've had. Am I over-simplifying it? Is there going to be a higher requirement from us?

If I'm an under-achiever (LOL) can I just go on how I've been (meeting minimum requirements) and not caring? Yes... that describes me!! :: I have no desire to go above the 8 hours of education. Just send me the kids and have their parents give me regular checks! . (Don't blast me... I'm a good Provider with 18 yrs of experience. I'm speaking tongue-in-cheek here. But I really do only take the minimum requirements.)

Thanks, C.K.

No your thinking of the registry program. Totally two different things. So here's what I found out tonight.

Unliscensed=0 stars
Liscensed=1 star
Committment 2 Quality=2 starts (meaning your interested and will work to obtain higher standards which means higher stars.

Then it goes up from there!

I have 17 years of experience and it won't matter. To go from 3 stars up, you will have to put a whole portfolio together (pictures/write ups) of your program and submit it. This is how they can see what star to put you at. I think the more education you have (as a director and such) is the only way to obtain 5 starts but I could be wrong.

They even tell you what curriculum to use for your program!

Here's the funny thing-the gal said "oh they don't even have a name for it yet. I almost, almost said no, but I know someone who might be on the committee for naming it. I don't know why they aren't giving us all a chance to name it? Why only one area of the state?

What I don't like is I'm a business owner but little by little I'm being taken over by the government. So maybe I'll just call myself a government employee and just start taking all those holidays paid!

[Willow]

I can think of a few names for these programs. None of them are printable.....

My thoughts exactly.

[Blackcat31]

I can think of a few names for these programs. None of them are printable.....

Uh-oh. I'm getting a sinking feeling about this. Enlighten me.... I guess I'm not getting what it all means.

Lucy, QRIS is the wave of the future for child care providers.

It is slowly being implemented in all states. I think 2015 was the time line for everyone to be on board.

If you do a little googling, you can find 1,000's of articles about how the governement plans to take over all family run child care programs and will take authority out of our hands.

That, of course, is NOT how they market it, but that is basically what it is. If you want more info, PM me and I can try to enlighten you.

[Crystal]

I just went to a meeting Tuesday evening about the implementation of the QRIS for our county. California was one of 9 states to recieve a Race to the Top Grant for early learning and Sacramento is one of 17 counties starting a 3 year pilot program. I signed up for it. I think it is FABULOUS that it is happening and am looking forward to it going Nationwide eventually.

It isn't as scary as some make it seem. It is really about ensuring quality in early care and education for young children. It will look different for each state, as they all will set their own standards.....it might even vary by county, as it is here....out of the 17 counties participating, Sacramento is the only county to have 5 steps to achieve the highest rating, the others have three, and our requirements are higher than the others.

The education piece is important......experience is HIGHLY valuable, but I do believe that ALL providers/cargivers of young children should have, at the least, some minimal education in child development. But, do know that it isn't going to be ALL about the providers education, and many of the indicators, most of us already meet anyway.

[Crystal]

Lucy, QRIS is the wave of the future for child care providers.

It is slowly being implemented in all states. I think 2015 was the time line for everyone to be on board.

If you do a little googling, you can find 1,000's of articles about how the governement plans to take over all family run child care programs and will take authority out of our hands.

That, of course, is NOT how they market it, but that is basically what it is. If you want more info, PM me and I can try to enlighten you.

Hmmmm....I don't think that is truly accurate. I think that is the opinion of people who don't like the idea and are trying to scare people away from it all.

I would argue that it is ABOUT TIME that there is some sort of National guidelines into child care regulations. There needs to be some consistency, and I think ALL programs should have some sort of oversight, otherwise we end up with the Jessica Tata's of the world.

[Blackcat31]

Hmmmm....I don't think that is truly accurate. I think that is the opinion of people who don't like the idea and are trying to scare people away from it all. .

If you are implying that I don't like the idea and am trying to scare people away, that is NOT true. I happen to be involved with our states rating system right now, and the ONE consistent thing I know to be true is that there are MORE regulations and rules to follow. There are now "right" and "wrong" ways to do EVERYTHING and child care providers will no longer have as much say in how their programs are run now unless they aren't concerned about how many stars they have or don't have.

I would argue that it is ABOUT TIME that there is some sort of National guidelines into child care regulations. There needs to be some consistency, and I think ALL programs should have some sort of oversight, otherwise we end up with the Jessica Tata's of the world.

I also think, and have said so a hundred times, that there should be some consistency as to how the child care world works and functions when it comes to provider education but when the program disallows a providers college education and years and years of experience, then it isn't in the best interest of the small business owner any more.

Our state's program recognizes college degrees and coursework that has been taken ONLY within the last 5 years. If you have a master's degree in education, it doesn't count unless it was earned within those guidelines. If you have 20 years of experience, it doesn't count for anything unless you take the coursework they want you to take.

I also have issue with the fact that providers who do not do some sort of organized curriculum (approved by the state) they cannot earn more than 1 or 2 stars. That makes their program look less than quality when that is not always the case.

Providers who offer play based curriculum and spend their time focusing on the rest, food and quality of care itself will be overlooked. Providers can only earn max stars or recognition when they providee written lesson plans, proof of observation and assessment for each child in care, proof of parent involvment and etc...

Many providers just want to CARE for kids NOT teach them academic things and academic success and preparedness for school is the main focus or intent of the star rating system, in my opinion, so I guess you can take it however you want, but a system that does not recognize and reward ALL the different types of programs is wrong in my opinion.

I think giving parents the false sense that one program is better or worth more than another just because of stars is also wrong. Yes, each provider can choose to earn as many stars as their state allows but in order to earn those stars you have to meet their requirements.

Nan was/is a perfect example of the type of provider who will not benefit from a star system. She has a fantastic, well run QUALITY program but wouldn't be highly rated or given too many stars because she doesn't offer a structured state approved curriculum and she doesn't have a 2,4 or higher degree in education.