QRIS/Star Ratings Systems...Feedback

[Childminder]

Here in MI they are giving providers a raise if you have a star rating, 3 stars $.25, 4 stars $.50 and 5 stars $.75, for State subsidy children. Effective in July if all goes as planned.

Thing is I don't get a raise the parent does. I charge the same amount the parent will just have a smaller copay. :confused:

[Leanna]

That was sort of the point of my post.

WE know the difference and the importance.

QRIS does not agree though.

THEY are the ones separating it.

There will be a lot of great child care providers that don't meet the unrealistic expectations of the QRIS that will be lost to the wayside simply because they don't meet the educational parts of the program. (By educational, I mean having a degree).

That is what I find sad.

I don't know how to set up a poll on here, but I am curious how many people disagree with the QRIS mainly because, in most places, in order to achieve a high rating the provider must have a degree.

[Heidi]

I don't know how to set up a poll on here, but I am curious how many people disagree with the QRIS mainly because, in most places, in order to achieve a high rating the provider must have a degree.

Funny thing is, at least one of those people HAS a bachelor's degree in ECE...BC

I am 4 classes away from my associates, which is the highest I need. I have been working on it for the last 2 1/2 years. Fortunately, I had almost all my generals done, or it'd be several more years!

[Annalee]

Funny thing is, at least one of those people HAS a bachelor's degree in ECE...BC

I am 4 classes away from my associates, which is the highest I need. I have been working on it for the last 2 1/2 years. Fortunately, I had almost all my generals done, or it'd be several more years!

Here, though, our report card is set up to where all revolves around assessment score for FCCERS-R. A person can have a BS in ECE, NAFCC Accredited, CDA, etc. and all high stars in the other components but if their score does not at least reach a 4 on the assessment component, the report card is a big, fat 0....... The assessment holds entirely too much clout!!!!

[Blackcat31]

I don't know how to set up a poll on here, but I am curious how many people disagree with the QRIS mainly because, in most places, in order to achieve a high rating the provider must have a degree.

I'll make a poll... Great idea Leanna!

[Leanna]

Funny thing is, at least one of those people HAS a bachelor's degree in ECE...BC

I am 4 classes away from my associates, which is the highest I need. I have been working on it for the last 2 1/2 years. Fortunately, I had almost all my generals done, or it'd be several more years!

I also have a bachelor's in early childhood education...and oppose QRIS for many other reasons!

[Blackcat31]

Here in MI they are giving providers a raise if you have a star rating, 3 stars $.25, 4 stars $.50 and 5 stars $.75, for State subsidy children. Effective in July if all goes as planned.

Thing is I don't get a raise the parent does. I charge the same amount the parent will just have a smaller copay. :confused:

My state pays x amount of dollars to a provider for subsidy pay.

If the provider is accredited, they receive 15% more than x pay.

If the provider is QRIS rated, they receive 20% more than x pay.

I scratched my head about that too as the parents are the one's getting the benefit there....NOT me and yet I did all the work. :confused:

For example, prior to doing QRIS, I received about $3 per week less from the subsidy program than what I actually charged.

The parent paid that $3 difference.

Now I would qualify to receive 20% more so the parent would now owe me nothing.


Parent did nothing but got the financial benefit.
I did everything and got nothing. (well beside the rating etc..)

Funny how no one on the government or agency levels saw that.... or if they did, why would they not change it in some way to benefit providers for the time/effort they put into it.

Also, I've heard that parents will or maybe getting some additional tax break if they use a program that participates. AGAIN, a benefit to the parent.

[SignMeUp]

BlackCat, because everyone seems to see CCAP as a provider benefit, not a family benefit. It is a family benefit!!!
And with unionization, if you care for children of families on the program, you can't charge the family the difference but the $$ will come right out of your paycheck. Grrrrr.

[Childminder]

The union mess that hit Michigan a few years ago "got providers a raise" for subsidy children. Yep, and I made $.01 per hour less after I paid union dues.

Also the same thing, parents got the benefit for our hassle in dealing with the union.

The following is a quote from a provider on facebook I thought you might appreciate:

"The star program was set up to get us to work for the state. The more stars we have, the more federal funds the state of Michigan receives. What are they doing with those funds? They are developing free preschool programs for 3 year olds. Ask any dhs parent which they prefer, paying the difference in cost to a home based day care or paying nothing for a public based preschool. You know darn well they are going to take the free program that WE are paying for. Please look into the origination of the star system and ask the bold questions before getting in too deep with your time and YOUR money. I did, and I am so glad I haven't wasted a dollar or a minute of my time playing puppet for the state of Michigan."

[SignMeUp]

Wow, Childminder, I had not heard that type of history of the rating program.

All I really know in my state is that some people that I respect at resource & referral centers are against it, but afraid to say so. And others are all for it.

And I always get the impression that if you speak against it, it is held against you, as if you are against quality. I am not against quality child care, and I think that where I live, licensing let too many poorly qualified people into family child care. When all the crack-downs started, I hoped they were just weeding out the bad providers. But it is going far beyond that. I do fear that FCC will be shut out. I think BlackCat said ten years - I have said twenty years (for about ten years )

[Annalee]

The union mess that hit Michigan a few years ago "got providers a raise" for subsidy children. Yep, and I made $.01 per hour less after I paid union dues.

Also the same thing, parents got the benefit for our hassle in dealing with the union.

The following is a quote from a provider on facebook I thought you might appreciate:

"The star program was set up to get us to work for the state. The more stars we have, the more federal funds the state of Michigan receives. What are they doing with those funds? They are developing free preschool programs for 3 year olds. Ask any dhs parent which they prefer, paying the difference in cost to a home based day care or paying nothing for a public based preschool. You know darn well they are going to take the free program that WE are paying for. Please look into the origination of the star system and ask the bold questions before getting in too deep with your time and YOUR money. I did, and I am so glad I haven't wasted a dollar or a minute of my time playing puppet for the state of Michigan."

I am not in Michigan, but pre-k took over for a while here but due to budget cuts has not expanded....You are right, we CANNOT compete with FREE DAYCARE. We have not been introduced to any form of union at this time, but nothing here would surprise me anymore...There has to be a way to promote quality child care across the board without all of the hoopla providers are faced with at this time....sounds like CHAOS is abounding everywhere....

[Annalee]

Wow, Childminder, I had not heard that type of history of the rating program.

All I really know in my state is that some people that I respect at resource & referral centers are against it, but afraid to say so. And others are all for it.

And I always get the impression that if you speak against it, it is held against you, as if you are against quality. I am not against quality child care, and I think that where I live, licensing let too many poorly qualified people into family child care. When all the crack-downs started, I hoped they were just weeding out the bad providers. But it is going far beyond that. I do fear that FCC will be shut out. I think BlackCat said ten years - I have said twenty years (for about ten years )

Yep, above and beyond the weeding out process. CCR&R here are not against the QRIS. Actually, all child care organizations have bonded as protection for their jobs. Every organization knows where I stand at this point up to legislation. Also, I agree with you that if you speak up, these organizations learn how you feel and they do "talk" amongst themselves...QRIS has been mandated in law here since 2002. The first 3/4 years I REALLY tried to embrace QRIS and mentored providers to do the same, but reached a point, I could not consciously do it anymore. While I remain professional, I have and am on the bandwagon to get someone to listen.....sadly, to no avail up to now!

[Lucy]

I don't know how to set up a poll on here, but I am curious how many people disagree with the QRIS mainly because, in most places, in order to achieve a high rating the provider must have a degree.

I disagree with it because I don't want to run a scheduled, daily curriculum. That's not why I'm a Provider. I'm a safe, happy, fun place for kids to come while their parents work. That's it. I'm not an educator. That's why they go to schools. I'm a CARE home, not a place of education.

I think we're losing focus on what HOME DAYCARE is. Why should we be responsible for educating kids? If that's your thing, I'm happy to encourage you. ("YOU" in general, not the person I quoted!) I have nothing against it. But it's not my purpose at all. I resent that the states are expecting me to conform.

Sorry that this, and my previous post are so ... I don't know ... adamant?? I'm just really against this intrusion and oversight. Could you tell? LOL

[Leanna]

I disagree with it because I don't want to run a scheduled, daily curriculum. That's not why I'm a Provider. I'm a safe, happy, fun place for kids to come while their parents work. That's it. I'm not an educator. That's why they go to schools. I'm a CARE home, not a place of education.

I think we're losing focus on what HOME DAYCARE is. Why should we be responsible for educating kids? If that's your thing, I'm happy to encourage you. I have nothing against it. But it's not my purpose at all. I resent that the states are expecting me to conform.

Sorry that this, and my previous post are so ... I don't know ... adamant?? I'm just really against this intrusion and oversight. Could you tell? LOL

My questions was simply a question. Read my earlier posts on this thread.

[Lucy]

Huh?

My answer was in general. Not directed AT you, just quoted you to explain what specifically I dislike about it.

"I am curious how many people disagree with the QRIS mainly because ... the provider must have a degree."

I just took the above and ran with it / answered it... to the masses. None of what I said was to YOU specifically. Sorry!!!