MI Providers And Star Rating

[morgan24]

How many of the MI providers are doing the star ratings? I got a call from Great Start and they want me to up my star rating to improve my referrals. I have never in 18 years of doing care gotten a call from someone through Great Start. I live in a small town where I have been all my life and all my daycare clients are word of mouth or they already know me. I don't think it would be time well spent for me.

[melilley]

I have done it and have a 3, working on a 4.

The reason Great Start is calling you is that if they don't get providers to participate in the QRIS/Stars program, they will lose funding.

I actually had a class Tues. and one of the ladies from the oyc was there and she said that the pressure from the state or government for oyc to get providers to do the SAS is so overwhelming, that the ladies in the office often cry because of the pressure, they have to make a quota otherwise they get in trouble and the state (or whoever provides the funding-either on the state or federal level, I can't remember)

That's why they are calling and emailing every provider.

[melilley]

And she said it's not a requirement now to have a star rating, but in the future it will probably be mandatory.

[Annalee]

I have done it and have a 3, working on a 4.

The reason Great Start is calling you is that if they don't get providers to participate in the QRIS/Stars program, they will lose funding.

I am not fond of anyone losing their job, but I wish QRIS would allow licensing to set up rules/regs again the way it used to be because QRIS/FCCERS assessment has become so unrealistic, plus providers are going underground daily....It causes so much undue stress. Our state's outside child care agencies have lost much funding but QRIS is in the law here so it is mandated annually.

[morgan24]

I don't want to see anyone lose their job either. I already do the 10 hours of training every year and I search for classes that will help me improve. I just can't see spending time taking the classes for the 5 star ratings if it's not going to make a difference for me. My area the majority of people could careless if you even licensed. I just wondered about the calls because she was very pushy. Thanks for clearing it up!

[melilley]

I am not fond of anyone losing their job, but I wish QRIS would allow licensing to set up rules/regs again the way it used to be because QRIS/FCCERS assessment has become so unrealistic, plus providers are going underground daily....It causes so much undue stress. Our state's outside child care agencies have lost much funding but QRIS is in the law here so it is mandated annually.

I agree, very unrealistic, especially if you don't have any education (that's one of the #1 complaints that I have herard)! In my area, there are only about 3 of us fccers who have any star at all!
I have to say though, it was really easy for me to get a 3, but to get a 4 or 5 is really hard and to get some of the points, it costs us money-money that I don't have! And it's sad to say, but from going to our mandated 10 hrs. of training, I have come across other providers who have no clue what half of the indicators for the assessment mean! Our OYC lady said that that's one of the problems, they want the state to get providers to participate, but they won't allow consultants to do anything as far as training, but to email and call. I think one of the only reasons that I know about a lot of what the indicators ask for is because I have had years and years of experience in chdv before opening and I have my AS in chdv so they were fairly familiar. Not to say that other people with experience and/or education won't know what they mean, but in reality, through hearing people, they don't. Hope that makes sense!

It's just sad that they want our state's people (we have OYC-Office of Young Children) to get providers on board, but they won't give them the support to do it!

[melilley]

I don't want to see anyone lose their job either. I already do the 10 hours of training every year and I search for classes that will help me improve. I just can't see spending time taking the classes for the 5 star ratings if it's not going to make a difference for me. My area the majority of people could careless if you even licensed. I just wondered about the calls because she was very pushy. Thanks for clearing it up!

To tell you the truth, only one of my parents have ANY idea what the STARS program is..and that's because she's in school majoring in child development. When I received a 3 star rating, I sent home a bunch of info. on it and the rest of my parents never asked about it and when I mentioned something to one parent, she had no idea what I was talking about, even after I sent home the info.!

They oyc lady said that in the future all providers will have to participate so parents will eventually know about the program, but who knows.

[lovemykidstoo]

I'm in Michigan and I have not done it either. They continue to do and do and do. Spend money and spend money, but yet so many of us are struggling to make ends meet as it is and I also agree that I have never had a referral from Great Start. So, I'm supposed to do all of that just to make the State happy? Nope. Sorry

[Annalee]

I agree, very unrealistic, especially if you don't have any education (that's one of the #1 complaints that I have herard)! In my area, there are only about 3 of us fccers who have any star at all!
I have to say though, it was really easy for me to get a 3, but to get a 4 or 5 is really hard and to get some of the points, it costs us money-money that I don't have! And it's sad to say, but from going to our mandated 10 hrs. of training, I have come across other providers who have no clue what half of the indicators for the assessment mean! Our OYC lady said that that's one of the problems, they want the state to get providers to participate, but they won't allow consultants to do anything as far as training, but to email and call. I think one of the only reasons that I know about a lot of what the indicators ask for is because I have had years and years of experience in chdv before opening and I have my AS in chdv so they were fairly familiar. Not to say that other people with experience and/or education won't know what they mean, but in reality, through hearing people, they don't. Hope that makes sense!

It's just sad that they want our state's people (we have OYC-Office of Young Children) to get providers on board, but they won't give them the support to do it!

Sad thing about my state is that we have 5 or 6 components on our report card. Even if you have a BS in early childhood, you have to score well on your assessment. If your assessment doesn't meet a certain score it is a big, fat 0 across the board. THAT IS NOT FAIR! I have seen NAFCC accredited/CDA-credentialed/BS degree providers fail the state of TN assessment....SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THAT!!!!! The biggest issue is when you have non-mobile infants...you have to take materials to them and it be a significant amount of time for them to view these materials. Another big issue is if you stay outside for, what they consider, too long, you have to meet all the requirements of materials out there as well....SO the providers failing are NOT bad providers, just not meeting some unrealistic requirement. I have always scored well, but have to admit, you become crafty in meeting criteria in your own way....kind of like a game and that benefits NO ONE!

[Annalee]

To tell you the truth, only one of my parents have ANY idea what the STARS program is..and that's because she's in school majoring in child development. When I received a 3 star rating, I sent home a bunch of info. on it and the rest of my parents never asked about it and when I mentioned something to one parent, she had no idea what I was talking about, even after I sent home the info.!

They oyc lady said that in the future all providers will have to participate so parents will eventually know about the program, but who knows.

VERY GOOD POINT!!!! Parents are clueless when it comes to this report card. Sure, I have explained it to them during parent meetings, but the bottom line is they want their kids cared for and loved....They do not count science and math toys to see if there is enough...

[melilley]

Sad thing about my state is that we have 5 or 6 components on our report card. Even if you have a BS in early childhood, you have to score well on your assessment. If your assessment doesn't meet a certain score it is a big, fat 0 across the board. THAT IS NOT FAIR! I have seen NAFCC accredited/CDA-credentialed/BS degree providers fail the state of TN assessment....SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THAT!!!!! The biggest issue is when you have non-mobile infants...you have to take materials to them and it be a significant amount of time for them to view these materials. Another big issue is if you stay outside for, what they consider, too long, you have to meet all the requirements of materials out there as well....SO the providers failing are NOT bad providers, just not meeting some unrealistic requirement. I have always scored well, but have to admit, you become crafty in meeting criteria in your own way....kind of like a game and that benefits NO ONE!

Wow, that's crazy!

I think MI seems more lax in their requirements. It was super easy for me to get a 3 and a 4 is obtainable-I also have become a little crafty... And no one comes out to our house unless you have a 4 and above.

But what you describe for your state is ridiculous! I don't think half, probably over half, of these people who make these assessment requirements have ever worked with children or in a group care environment!

[Annalee]

Wow, that's crazy!

I think MI seems more lax in their requirements. It was super easy for me to get a 3 and a 4 is obtainable-I also have become a little crafty... And no one comes out to our house unless you have a 4 and above.

But what you describe for your state is ridiculous! I don't think half, probably over half, of these people who make these assessment requirements have ever worked with children or in a group care environment!

The problem we have with it here is it is a state LAW and it will take legislation to get it gone and that has proven to be very difficult.

Providers would be happy if it become voluntary then we would all opt-out and NOT participate. ::

[Childminder]

I am in MI and have a 3 star. I will not ever get a 4 because I would need to do home visits and get real that ain't gonna happen! A 5 is unobtainable because at almost 60 I would have to get a degree.

None of my parents have heard of QRIS and those I have shared it with are like "whatever".

Is it the reason I am not getting any calls lately? After all it basically gives me a "C"if a parent would be looking. I am the only one in my zip code that has participated though so I doubt that is why.

I wish I could quit this business but looks like I have to do it another 9 years till retirement age. Too unstable financially, especially lately, never seen it this bad.

Oh and I was told that the amount of hours will be going to 24 in the near future for FCC training requirements.

[Annalee]

I am in MI and have a 3 star. I will not ever get a 4 because I would need to do home visits and get real that ain't gonna happen! A 5 is unobtainable because at almost 60 I would have to get a degree.

None of my parents have heard of QRIS and those I have shared it with are like "whatever".

Is it the reason I am not getting any calls lately? After all it basically gives me a "C"if a parent would be looking. I am the only one in my zip code that has participated though so I doubt that is why.

I wish I could quit this business but looks like I have to do it another 9 years till retirement age. Too unstable financially, especially lately, never seen it this bad.

Oh and I was told that the amount of hours will be going to 24 in the near future for FCC training requirements.

At least a degree would count for something in your state, I have a degree but it is for naught if the assessment score with FCCERS-revised does not meet at least the minimum score deemed by the state law. Whoever set this up knew what they were doing by making it a law to be assessed annually because providers sure can't make it go away!

[melilley]

I am in MI and have a 3 star. I will not ever get a 4 because I would need to do home visits and get real that ain't gonna happen! A 5 is unobtainable because at almost 60 I would have to get a degree.

None of my parents have heard of QRIS and those I have shared it with are like "whatever".

Is it the reason I am not getting any calls lately? After all it basically gives me a "C"if a parent would be looking. I am the only one in my zip code that has participated though so I doubt that is why.

I wish I could quit this business but looks like I have to do it another 9 years till retirement age. Too unstable financially, especially lately, never seen it this bad.

Oh and I was told that the amount of hours will be going to 24 in the near future for FCC training requirements.

24 hours of training!? I can barely do the 10 plus the CPR every year!

I don't think parents really look at the ratings right now either. I'm sure there are a few, but I have only gotten one call from someone who even found me on Great Start.

And I agree, the home visits are what is putting me off from going for a 4!

I've heard from all over that people are having a hard time with enrollment. I have gotten a million calls for infants, but had an ad for around 3 months for 30 months and up and only had one interview and about 1 call!