STARS Program?

[auntymimi]

I've been a licensed provider for about a year now. I do not have an ECE degree. The majority of the clients I serve qualify for state subsidy and I accept it.My program is primarily play based but I do have several preschoolers and have tried to offer a play based curriculum with a heavy emphasis on STEM. So far I've been piecing together a curriculum using pinterest and the public library, as well as resources from our CCR&R travel library. The lovely ladies who run the travel library had mentioned that they could get me a grant and training to provide a proper curriculum and also bump up my pay scale through the state. The catch is I would have to join the STARS program and from my understanding it would require more training and paperwork and also, I'm guessing, more state supervision ? Does anyone have experience with this? Should I go for it, or is it more trouble than it's worth?

[Michael]

Some previous threads on the Stars program: https://www.daycare.com/forum/tags.p...=stars+program

[Meeko]

I've been a licensed provider for about a year now. I do not have an ECE degree. The majority of the clients I serve qualify for state subsidy and I accept it.My program is primarily play based but I do have several preschoolers and have tried to offer a play based curriculum with a heavy emphasis on STEM. So far I've been piecing together a curriculum using pinterest and the public library, as well as resources from our CCR&R travel library. The lovely ladies who run the travel library had mentioned that they could get me a grant and training to provide a proper curriculum and also bump up my pay scale through the state. The catch is I would have to join the STARS program and from my understanding it would require more training and paperwork and also, I'm guessing, more state supervision ? Does anyone have experience with this? Should I go for it, or is it more trouble than it's worth?

More trouble than it's worth.

Are your DCP's happy with the care you provide? If so...that's all that matters. It sounds like you have a good program and are constantly looking to better yourself. If you join the STARS program...you will be required to do what THEY think is best for your program. It will no longer be your own.

[Blackcat31]

I signed up for my state's stars program two years ago.

When my QRIS coach called me late last year to see if I was going to re-rate (we have to re-rate every two years) I said:

"Personally, I'd love to say no but professionally, I know I should say yes."

So I did. I am currently in the process of re-rating (its NOT at all hard in my opinion) and the only reason I am doing so is because my state has really been pushing the rating system to parents and now 95% of parents in my area search ONLY for programs that have a star rating.

It's probably the first question asked when people contact me. "Are you Parent Aware rated?" Our state star program is called Parent Aware.

I have had more calls and enlistments on my waitlist than ever in the last year or so..... with a majority of wait listers already having care but wanting to change providers because now it's the "in thing" to only use a provider that has been star rated.

Like I said to my coach... personally, I am not a huge believer in the program BUT sometimes MY opinion has zero bearing on the child care industry or the thought processes and search criteria of potential clients.

[Annalee]

I wish I had a "choice". Our state made the "choice" for us...it is in the law...maybe that is why I hate it so much!

[Snowmom]

I refuse to participate in Parent Aware and have never had any problems staying full.
I find their training atrocious. I took a couple of their classes for continuing education last year. The "instructor" was 45 minutes late, forgot half of the required content and made way too many mistakes in quoting regulations. I almost walked out.
I've had a couple families ask why I'm not rated on their website (because apparently your name is still listed as providers in the area- just not with "stars"). And I'm honest about why I won't.... they still enroll.

My location is in the suburbs and there isn't a lot of competition though. So, I can see how having an extra endorsement might serve you well.

[LysesKids]

I wish I had a "choice". Our state made the "choice" for us...it is in the law...maybe that is why I hate it so much!

Yep... if you are licensed it's not an option, part of why if I switch houses I will still stay legally license exempt. I was planning on moving about an hour closer to you and found a nice little place, but I won't be doing STARS after what I researched & what I've heard from other TN providers...

[Fiddlesticks]

I signed up for my state's stars program two years ago.

When my QRIS coach called me late last year to see if I was going to re-rate (we have to re-rate every two years) I said:

"Personally, I'd love to say no but professionally, I know I should say yes."

So I did. I am currently in the process of re-rating (its NOT at all hard in my opinion) and the only reason I am doing so is because my state has really been pushing the rating system to parents and now 95% of parents in my area search ONLY for programs that have a star rating.

It's probably the first question asked when people contact me. "Are you Parent Aware rated?" Our state star program is called Parent Aware.

I have had more calls and enlistments on my waitlist than ever in the last year or so..... with a majority of wait listers already having care but wanting to change providers because now it's the "in thing" to only use a provider that has been star rated.

Like I said to my coach... personally, I am not a huge believer in the program BUT sometimes MY opinion has zero bearing on the child care industry or the thought processes and search criteria of potential clients.

Yes to all of this. I joined Parent Aware as soon as it was available in my area. I started, honestly, for the money. I knew there was funding available then, but that there wouldn't always be. I worked my way up the stars so that I could maximize the money, got $1000 for the last three years in a row (after my 1 star, 2 star and 3 star rating), and now that I am working on my fourth star (after which there was never any money offered) the funding is done and no one is getting the $1000, regardless of the star rating they receive. Phew, so glad I got my third star in under the funding cut. I cannot tell you how much these $3000 have helped my program.

I am getting more calls/emails from people looking for care than I ever have, on average 3 a week, and I am full for the foreseeable future, with two children waiting to start next August when two children head off to kindergarten.

While it is voluntary now, it may not always be, so jump on board, it isn't going away. Even though I do not believe my state will make it mandatory, it is where parents are looking for care. There are providers in my suburb who never get calls looking for care, and cannot keep full, but they are the 143rd provider listed on the Parent Aware site because they "have not volunteered to be rated," so...

[Annalee]

I have only had one client enter my program in the 15 years of the QRIS stars due to my star rating. It was a nurse mom and policeman dad....they lasted 10 days....cussed me out for making them arrive and depart on time...said they only paid for services rendered and THEY would choose the services I would render....WRONG AGAIN! . I had to call licensing and get them involved. They stood by me but it was an ordeal for sure....:confused:

The only program QRIS really supports here is the providers that take certificate/subsidy paid clients. There are NO benefits for any thing else.

[Annalee]

Yep... if you are licensed it's not an option, part of why if I switch houses I will still stay legally license exempt. I was planning on moving about an hour closer to you and found a nice little place, but I won't be doing STARS after what I researched & what I've heard from other TN providers...

If stars became voluntary, which it won't because the law would have to be changed, I would OPT OUT and take a big fat 0 because I dislike it that much! ::

[Snowmom]

Yes to all of this. I joined Parent Aware as soon as it was available in my area. I started, honestly, for the money. I knew there was funding available then, but that there wouldn't always be. I worked my way up the stars so that I could maximize the money, got $1000 for the last three years in a row (after my 1 star, 2 star and 3 star rating), and now that I am working on my fourth star (after which there was never any money offered) the funding is done and no one is getting the $1000, regardless of the star rating they receive. Phew, so glad I got my third star in under the funding cut. I cannot tell you how much these $3000 have helped my program.

I am getting more calls/emails from people looking for care than I ever have, on average 3 a week, and I am full for the foreseeable future, with two children waiting to start next August when two children head off to kindergarten.

While it is voluntary now, it may not always be, so jump on board, it isn't going away. Even though I do not believe my state will make it mandatory, it is where parents are looking for care. There are providers in my suburb who never get calls looking for care, and cannot keep full, but they are the 143rd provider listed on the Parent Aware site because they "have not volunteered to be rated," so...

I'm in the same state as you and I've stayed full the last 8 years without being on Parent Aware.
Sure, it's one avenue that parents may search, but so is DHS, Moms groups, Facebook groups, Association websites, etc.
I get multiple calls a week- usually tracked back to my local county association website. I've never had to advertise an opening since being licensed in 2008. Parent Aware had zero to do with that.

[Blackcat31]

I'm in the same state as you and I've stayed full the last 8 years without being on Parent Aware.
Sure, it's one avenue that parents may search, but so is DHS, Moms groups, Facebook groups, Association websites, etc.
I get multiple calls a week- usually tracked back to my local county association website. I've never had to advertise an opening since being licensed in 2008. Parent Aware had zero to do with that.

I was in the same position (thought-wise) as you a year or so ago.

Everything you are saying is exactly what I thought.


Then for some reason, the entire attitude of parents changed. I would have bet money that it wouldn't be at all today like it actually is.

[Annalee]

There has been NO education for parents here...No one asks about it when calling centers or family child cares here. Parents do not even know what it is. Licensing is not even for the stars report card. There are so many state entities that deal with child care here creating many inconsistencies on what is expected of providers. Providers rarely get a straight answer when asking a question about the stars. Our report card is roughly a 16 x 20 large card that has to be displayed so ALL entering the daycare can see. NO ONE asks about it! I do bring attention to it during interviews but you get a blind stare like "REALLY?"....they want you to do all of that! ::

[midaycare]

I'm in MI. No one here knows about or cares about STARS. We get no grant money. We get paid more for state clients, but what do I care? Any state clients I have (rare here) have to pay the difference to me anyway, so... The benefit is really for the parents who are getting state help, not me. If the state pays me more, the parents have to pay me less.

The higher your STARS rating, the higher you are listed on the state's child care website.That's why I did it.

STARS is ridiculous. Now that I have a good clientele, I probably won't renew.

[Blackcat31]

There has been NO education for parents here...No one asks about it when calling centers or family child cares here. Parents do not even know what it is. Licensing is not even for the stars report card. There are so many state entities that deal with child care here creating many inconsistencies on what is expected of providers. Providers rarely get a straight answer when asking a question about the stars. Our report card is roughly a 16 x 20 large card that has to be displayed so ALL entering the daycare can see. NO ONE asks about it! I do bring attention to it during interviews but you get a blind stare like "REALLY?"....they want you to do all of that! ::

Our state just started really pushing the advertising to parents.

Lots of flyers, mailers and stuff posted in WIC clinics, Dr's offices, schools etc...

I don't know the reasoning behind the change but I suspect it may have to do with the union debate going on in my state too..... of course no one will say that but I think it's pretty clear.

I actually just received my voting instructions in the mail in regards to "HOW" I should submit my vote.