QRIS/Star Ratings Systems...Feedback

[Annalee]

I think that is where the BIGGEST gap is.... they aren't looking for child care to be so focused on care but more on education.

NO WHERE in my rating process did it ask if I cuddled, nurtured, loved or cared for the children I enroll.

The sole focus was on the developmental progress in regards to academics and education.

Soon it will not be Child CARE at all but Child EDUCATION.

Notice the biggest advocate against this program are the providers who have years and years of experience but lack the "required education"?

I think THAT is going to be the divide.

If in home child care still exists in 10 years it will be on a level that is no where near and not at all in competition with the Early Childhood Educators who are teaching the kids academics. kwim?

We will have two VERY distinct groups of providers.

Those that operate like a preschool and focus soley on the academics and those who simply provide care.

If they do anything else, the government isn't going to care. I think they will be viewed as babysitters and the ability to actually make a living from it will be non-existent.

I believe they will be targeting the number of kids allowed next...limiting those that are not participating in the QRIS to so few kids it won't be financially worth doing anymore.

That's my 2 cents.

I think you are right on the money!!! When the state started paying for college classes for providers to receive CDA/AS/BS degrees about 10 years ago, I knew something was up. Well now there is some funding but very little so the providers who did not take advantage the first go around are scrambling. Not that I agree with QRIS, but the lacking providers see where child care is headed in the next 10 years. I really do LOVE my job and plan to hang with it, but I find QRIS unsettling to say it nicely! :confused:

[SignMeUp]

A lot of parents will support this too, because if the school systems (which in my part of the state are NOT THAT GOOD) take over early childhood education (think full-day kindergarten for starters), there will not be a cost to parents. Most people will at least TRY the school system program to save the money they spend now on child care.
I totally agree that Family Child Care Homes are on their way out. And it will be a huge loss, in my opinion.
Years ago I was asked to write a blurb for a newsletter about FCC and its strengths. My piece was about how learning begins with a secure, caring and loving relationship - miss that piece, and you miss it all. It is the BASE for all future learning.

When my children are getting ready to go off to kindergarten, I let them know what things will be similar and what things may be different from being here. And that they should look for the things that they like, and go along with the things that they don't like, because the teacher has a reason for doing things his or her way. The teacher shows them that he/she cares by helping them learn. (It's the teaching way ... to show I love you. It's the teaching way ... to show I care about you -- paraphrased from the Mr. Rogers song) Because it is all based on learning from someone who cares about you

My apologies for detouring from the topic.

[Leanna]

I think that is where the BIGGEST gap is.... they aren't looking for child care to be so focused on care but more on education.

NO WHERE in my rating process did it ask if I cuddled, nurtured, loved or cared for the children I enroll.

The sole focus was on the developmental progress in regards to academics and education.

Soon it will not be Child CARE at all but Child EDUCATION.

Notice the biggest advocate against this program are the providers who have years and years of experience but lack the "required education"?

I think THAT is going to be the divide.



If in home child care still exists in 10 years it will be on a level that is no where near and not at all in competition with the Early Childhood Educators who are teaching the kids academics. kwim?

We will have two VERY distinct groups of providers.

Those that operate like a preschool and focus soley on the academics and those who simply provide care.

If they do anything else, the government isn't going to care. I think they will be viewed as babysitters and the ability to actually make a living from it will be non-existent.

I believe they will be targeting the number of kids allowed next...limiting those that are not participating in the QRIS to so few kids it won't be financially worth doing anymore.

That's my 2 cents.

Hmmm...interesting perspective &interesting post.

(Disclaimer: QRIS has not yet been implemented statewide here (NY) yet. They had a voluntary pilot program about 2 years ago and are now focusing on certain areas of the state (not my area) as they do not have the $$ yet to fully implement it statewide. I have reviewed the requirements inline and attended informational trainings but I did not take part in the pilot.)

I just have to point out that it is not simply a matter of either "operating like a preschool and focus solely on academics" OR "simply providing care." Programs that call themselves "preschool" (or Pre-K,etc.) that "focus solely on academics", do calendar and weather, worksheets, flashcards, crafts, lots of teacher directed activities,etc. are very misguided. Programs (called daycare or otherwise) where children sit in front of a TV all day are also misguided. Programs where children learn about themselves and the world through routines such as diapering and pottying, having meals, dressing and grooming, napping, cuddling with their provider/teacher/caregiver etc., and open-ended play activities such as building, running, jumping, creating, dancing, dressing-up, pretending, manipulating toys,etc. are quality child care programs. Such programs can be found under a plethora of titles: center based child care, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, nursery school, home based child care, school, etc. The point is that CHILDREN RECEIVE A PRESCHOOL EDUCATION THROUGH QUALITY CARE. We need to stop separating the two. You CANNOT be a high quality program without providing good CARE. Providing good care means the children are receiving a preschool education.

[Annalee]

Hmmm...interesting perspective &interesting post.

(Disclaimer: QRIS has not yet been implemented statewide here (NY) yet. They had a voluntary pilot program about 2 years ago and are now focusing on certain areas of the state (not my area) as they do not have the $$ yet to fully implement it statewide. I have reviewed the requirements inline and attended informational trainings but I did not take part in the pilot.)

I just have to point out that it is not simply a matter of either "operating like a preschool and focus solely on academics" OR "simply providing care." Programs that call themselves "preschool" (or Pre-K,etc.) that "focus solely on academics", do calendar and weather, worksheets, flashcards, crafts, lots of teacher directed activities,etc. are very misguided. Programs (called daycare or otherwise) where children sit in front of a TV all day are also misguided. Programs where children learn about themselves and the world through routines such as diapering and pottying, having meals, dressing and grooming, napping, cuddling with their provider/teacher/caregiver etc., and open-ended play activities such as building, running, jumping, creating, dancing, dressing-up, pretending, manipulating toys,etc. are quality child care programs. Such programs can be found under a plethora of titles: center based child care, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, nursery school, home based child care, school, etc. The point is that CHILDREN RECEIVE A PRESCHOOL EDUCATION THROUGH QUALITY CARE. We need to stop separating the two. You CANNOT be a high quality program without providing good CARE. Providing good care means the children are receiving a preschool education.

Quality child care programs should, in fact, have a combination of everything you posted, BUT, obviously, the powers that be DO NOT see it that way. The change began in a subtle way, but has gained speed and is moving rapidly toward what Blackcat posted! Not that I agree with it, but it is headed that direction!

[Heidi]

Continuing education makes "me" feel better and I have learned so much BUT, in reality, a book doesn't teach how to love, cuddle, nurture, care, etc. Quality child care comes from the heart of the child care professional...NO book or professor can teach that. I do think providers would be more inclined to further education if they didn't feel forced to. My classes were a form of support for me. I learned from college classes, but also they offered re-enforcement that my child care practices in place were appropriate as well. As providers have been taught many times, each child learns differently...same as with child care providers, QRIS should let us choose our own career path!

Yes!

I learned more from my umpteen hours of continuing ed at conferences than I did in my ECE courses (I just went back when I restarted my daycare).

I almost have my Associate's degree complete, and I honestly can't tell you one NEW thing I learned; and I got almost all A's (except the last semester because I got bored and took a B/C in one class to avoid the last details).

The most "learning" I ever got is conference learning. Taught by people who worked in the field, who said "this is what I do....try it". THAT was helpful!

[Blackcat31]

Hmmm...interesting perspective &interesting post.

(Disclaimer: QRIS has not yet been implemented statewide here (NY) yet. They had a voluntary pilot program about 2 years ago and are now focusing on certain areas of the state (not my area) as they do not have the $$ yet to fully implement it statewide. I have reviewed the requirements inline and attended informational trainings but I did not take part in the pilot.)

I just have to point out that it is not simply a matter of either "operating like a preschool and focus solely on academics" OR "simply providing care." Programs that call themselves "preschool" (or Pre-K,etc.) that "focus solely on academics", do calendar and weather, worksheets, flashcards, crafts, lots of teacher directed activities,etc. are very misguided. Programs (called daycare or otherwise) where children sit in front of a TV all day are also misguided. Programs where children learn about themselves and the world through routines such as diapering and pottying, having meals, dressing and grooming, napping, cuddling with their provider/teacher/caregiver etc., and open-ended play activities such as building, running, jumping, creating, dancing, dressing-up, pretending, manipulating toys,etc. are quality child care programs. Such programs can be found under a plethora of titles: center based child care, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, nursery school, home based child care, school, etc. The point is that CHILDREN RECEIVE A PRESCHOOL EDUCATION THROUGH QUALITY CARE. We need to stop separating the two. You CANNOT be a high quality program without providing good CARE. Providing good care means the children are receiving a preschool education.

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.

[mom2many]

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.

Yep... Couldn't agree more!

[Childminder]

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).

I agree.

I hope that I can squeeze enough income to last 7 more years out of my daycare business. They are making it difficult for me to pay my bills with QRIS and the new early FREE preschool that has taken my babies and placed them in school.

[snbauser]

Gave my responses in bold below.

• What do you like/dislike about the program? I don't think that our program is good or bad because it isn't required that we do anything other than we follow licensing regulations. All providers when starting out are given a 1 star rating. After 6 months we can choose to stay at 1 star or request a "star rating assessment". Ours is a 2 component star rating. Each component has a 1-7 point scale and there is a way to get an extra quality point. The number of points you get determines your star rating. Part 1 is based on education and part 2 is based on program. Education is just that, what kind of background you have in ECE AND what kind of experience in child care you have. Part 2 is based on your program and ranges from 1 point as a program that meets minimal licensing standards to 7 points that requires licensing standards, policies, FCCERS-R of a minimun 5.0, and a reduced number of infants. The requirement of FCCERS-R in order to get anything more than 2 points towards your program bothers me. I think mostly because I think that FCCERS-R has way too many grey areas that are open to interpretation by the assessor and other parts that are way to black and white. For example a couple of years ago I went through the process and I had plenty of adult seating. But because me or my assistant at the time didn't actually use it while the assessor was here, we were marked off for it. And when I just had the assessment done, one of my dck's was 8 days shy of 3 years old and actually developmentally was probably closer to 3 1/2. But I got dinged on things like rubber bands, small pieces, ziploc storage bags, etc because they are a "choking hazard for under 3" If they paid any attention during the 4 hours they were here they would have seen that this child was long past the stage of putting things in her mouth.
• Does it work in the manner in which it was designed to? I don't really think it does much of anything because it is not required that you increase your rating. But I think the requirement for FCCERS-R is not appropriate for a system that uses the results to compare facilities
• Are parents using it as a tool to choose/decipher quality care from other programs? Rarely. In 7 years here, I have honestly only had 1 person tell me they found me by looking at licensings website and checking out the star ratings. All the others have either been through my advertising or through referrals.
• Do you feel the program is provider friendly? The big incentive when they started this program was a financial incentive, grants, paid trainings, etc. But slowly those have been cut from the budgets and now we are expected to do it on our own. In that aspect, it is not provider friendly and can be costly for a FCC provider. Other than that, I would say it isn't a bad program and is fairly provider friendly
• Is it geared primarily for centers or in-home care or does your state have separate framework for each environment? Our system has the same star ratings for centers and ih-home's but the requirements for each star level are different
• Is the highest star level attainable without a degree? Although difficult, it is possible to be a 5 star without a degree. I am currently 5 stars and am one class away from finishing my Associates
• Does your state have specific curriculums you are required to use? If you are a 4 or 5 star program and have 4 y/o's enrolled, you are required to use a state approved curriculum
• Does your state require assessments? How often and what types? I'm guessing you are referring to program assessments and not child assessments. If we want to be more than 3 stars, you must go through the FCCERS-R assessment. And that assessment must be redone every 3 years

ANY other feedback you want to give in regards to your experiences both during the rating process as well as afterwards that you are willing to share would be awesome!

If you don't want to post openly, you are MORE than welcome to PM me or e-mail me.

[Annalee]

Are there any states that are mandated by law to have a FCCERS-R assessment yearly? In TN it is in the law, but it looks like all other states are voluntary when it comes to the FCCERS-R assessment tool. Just wondering! Thanks!

[Country Kids]

In our state it will become a regulation that if you want to receive state pay children you have to do the QRIS program. No STARS no state pay. I haven't had state pay in years, but I think its wrong to do.

Also we actually have some Head Starts that are doing QRIS which is ironic to me because that is what the whole thing is based off of! They will automatically receive a 5 star.

[snbauser]

In our state it will become a regulation that if you want to receive state pay children you have to do the QRIS program. No STARS no state pay. I haven't had state pay in years, but I think its wrong to do.

I don't have any state paid and haven't in a while but my understanding is that a few years ago they changed it here so that the amount of reimbursement the state paid was based on the number of STARS and if you had less than 3 stars, they wouldn't pay at all.

[Annalee]

In our state it will become a regulation that if you want to receive state pay children you have to do the QRIS program. No STARS no state pay. I haven't had state pay in years, but I think its wrong to do.

Also we actually have some Head Starts that are doing QRIS which is ironic to me because that is what the whole thing is based off of! They will automatically receive a 5 star.

Some headstarts here have received 0 stars before. They obviously have no control of some of their kids and one got left on the playground...they were cited and are now on probation!

[Annalee]

I don't have any state paid and haven't in a while but my understanding is that a few years ago they changed it here so that the amount of reimbursement the state paid was based on the number of STARS and if you had less than 3 stars, they wouldn't pay at all.

The stars here is what your state pay is based on as well. I have not had state kids in a few years so I am not really affected by the pay scale.

[Sugar Magnolia]

1. I line the concept, dislike the implementation.
2. It appears to working in the manner designed.
3. I did get some enrollment through the program while I was participating.
4. Not especially provider friendly, because the program admins make you feel like you don't care about quality when you decide to opt out.
5. Geared towards both but VERY different criteria for "administrative" items. Centers have about 4 times more administrative requirements. By my book, administrative duties have little to do with quality environments.
6. Degrees a must for highest level.
7. Yes, you must use approved curriculum.
8. Computer based assessments required.

My reason for leaving was based on the administrative requirements. I am licensed as a center and operate more like a large family daycare. Why should I do staff meetings and staff reviews and such with just me and my husband? I have a degree, but my hubby.doesn't, so we are automatically excluded from the "75 percent of all lead teachers have a. degree" . We are 50 percent, because we are 2 PEOPLE. Sheesh! 75 percent mathematically impossible. This was my biggest gripe.

I do believe in the program, but I was sick of the way they tried to jam my square peg center into their round hole program. There was NO acceptance of a multi age program for small centers either, but was perfectly ok for home providers. Not fair!