STARS Program?

[Annalee]

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.

I do think parent education here would help some but it would NOT solve the issue here. The QRIS needs tweaking. By that I mean, there are providers with 0 stars that do not deserve that and there are providers with the highest 3 star that do not deserve that. It is almost like a game and if you want to play and how far you want to take it? Too much of a provider's balance that will define them for a year is left to the perception of an assessor and that is just wrong? Does that make sense? :confused:

[Fiddlesticks]

I will say, reading some of the things that other states are requiring in their QRIS makes me grateful for ours. Ours is mostly focused on curriculum, observation/assessment, training and parent resources/education. The nit-pickiness about materials, where things are stored, hand-washing routines, etc. are left up to our licenser.

[Annalee]

I will say, reading some of the things that other states are requiring in their QRIS makes me grateful for ours. Ours is mostly focused on curriculum, observation/assessment, training and parent resources/education. The nit-pickiness about materials, where things are stored, hand-washing routines, etc. are left up to our licenser.

We have a report card with 5 components but all hinge on the assessment component score. No matter what your education is, curriculum is, business practice is, parent involvement is, you HAVE To score on the assessment to get ANY stars. I have always scored well and have always had the highest stars BUT I have an AS degree in Early Childhood, CDA-in Famly Child Care, etc, but my balance still hangs on my assessment score. Something is wrong with that! They need to put equal weight on each component.

[auntymimi]

Well, after speaking more about the program with my travel library ladies and all you awesome women on here, I think I'm going to go ahead and go for it. My licensor believes it's going to be mandatory anyway (as BC says it's not going anywhere) so getting in now while there are incentives to join is professionally a smart move. It also seems that my state is really more about education, training, documentation than the punitive side of things as I believe another poster said. My training hours would be free and could even be done in my own home, plus would qualify me for grants and materials. Most of the documentation they require I already do anyway and because I accept state subsidy it would raise my pay significantly. Thank you all for your input and support.

[Annalee]

Well, after speaking more about the program with my travel library ladies and all you awesome women on here, I think I'm going to go ahead and go for it. My licensor believes it's going to be mandatory anyway (as BC says it's not going anywhere) so getting in now while there are incentives to join is professionally a smart move. It also seems that my state is really more about education, training, documentation than the punitive side of things as I believe another poster said. My training hours would be free and could even be done in my own home, plus would qualify me for grants and materials. Most of the documentation they require I already do anyway and because I accept state subsidy it would raise my pay significantly. Thank you all for your input and support.

You are right , stars is not going away! BUT I do wish providers here had an option! My state began with over 3000 family/group providers 15 years ago. We now have a little over 700 due to them quitting when the stars was implemented. The state THOUGHT this would put children into licensed care but it didn't. Children now go to unlicensed facilities that are flying under the radar:confused: Good luck to you!

[auntymimi]

We have a report card with 5 components but all hinge on the assessment component score. No matter what your education is, curriculum is, business practice is, parent involvement is, you HAVE To score on the assessment to get ANY stars. I have always scored well and have always had the highest stars BUT I have an AS degree in Early Childhood, CDA-in Famly Child Care, etc, but my balance still hangs on my assessment score. Something is wrong with that! They need to put equal weight on each component.

This does bother me. If I were to chose to get a degree in ECE it would count towards training hours, but not ultimately? The only way to reach the highest tier in my state would to be nationally accredited and require an in home assessment regardless of education. The thing that bothers me is how can one person come out 1 time and make an accurate assessment of your program as a whole?
Also, I doubt I could ever score very well on one anyway, my kids turn into something else entirely when there are "others" in the house. I can't imagine an all day situation.

[LysesKids]

You are right , stars is not going away! BUT I do wish providers here had an option! My state began with over 3000 family/group providers 15 years ago. We now have a little over 700 due to them quitting when the stars was implemented. The state THOUGHT this would put children into licensed care but it didn't. Children now go to unlicensed facilities that are flying under the radar:confused: Good luck to you!

True, however some of us legally licensed exempt homes run like we are still licensed just without the extra paperwork... I can still be on Food program with oversight, I take Foster babes for care, again licensing has to do extensive background & I can take vouchers, but refuse too because the parents don't want to pay the difference (again background checked etc); I have never gone without CPR/First Aid in 16 years plus I take trainings on my own time to keep up with regulations even though I don't have too.

Some of us hold ourselves accountable regardless of what our peers are doing. There is only ONE, yes, one licensed home in my entire county... go next door to Knox & you find a lot... here it's all about centers or small home care

[Annalee]

True, however some of us legally licensed exempt homes run like we are still licensed just without the extra paperwork... I can still be on Food program with oversight, I take Foster babes for care, again licensing has to do extensive background & I can take vouchers, but refuse too because the parents don't want to pay the difference (again background checked etc); I have never gone without CPR/First Aid in 16 years plus I take trainings on my own time to keep up with regulations even though I don't have too.

Some of us hold ourselves accountable regardless of what our peers are doing. There is only ONE, yes, one licensed home in my entire county... go next door to Knox & you find a lot... here it's all about centers or small home care

Many unlicensed are operating in my county, some legally and some illegally. By 2017, unregistered child cares will have to be licensed or they will not be able to take certificate children. I feel we are headed where all will have to become licensed. Just my opinion! the state wants to regulate and that is the only way to do so.

[LysesKids]

Many unlicensed are operating in my county, some legally and some illegally. By 2017, unregistered child cares will have to be licensed or they will not be able to take certificate children. I feel we are headed where all will have to become licensed. Just my opinion! the state wants to regulate and that is the only way to do so.

Well you know the only reason state didn't license me was because of my buying a new single wide instead of a doublewide (or staying in a rancher full of black mold)... I normally have 3 FT without voucher kids, so no loss here; I also get paid $5 per week more per kid more than the licensed provider taking vouchers (she's 10 min from me). She's having issues getting kids right now too (2 spots of her 7 are taken by her own kids). Makes me thankful I run like I do. I had 4 FT till I termed a parent last week... A new babe starts in 2 weeks so I'm good... btw they don't register anyone anymore... it's license exempt or license only; believe me I tried 2 years ago & was told it's not an option anymore

[Annalee]

Well you know the only reason state didn't license me was because of my buying a new single wide instead of a doublewide (or staying in a rancher full of black mold)... I normally have 3 FT without voucher kids, so no loss here; I also get paid $5 per week more per kid more than the licensed provider taking vouchers (she's 10 min from me). She's having issues getting kids right now too (2 spots of her 7 are taken by her own kids). Makes me thankful I run like I do. I had 4 FT till I termed a parent last week... A new babe starts in 2 weeks so I'm good... btw they don't register anyone anymore... it's license exempt or license only; believe me I tried 2 years ago & was told it's not an option anymore

You don't have to explain it to me! I get it! I just am involved with many meetings and am sharing some of what I have learned and some of what I can see evolving over the next few years. Personally, I think the whole system needs overhauled. :: But that isn't going to happen!

[LysesKids]

You don't have to explain it to me! I get it! I just am involved with many meetings and am sharing some of what I have learned and some of what I can see evolving over the next few years. Personally, I think the whole system needs overhauled. :: But that isn't going to happen!

I totally agree that the system needs a big overhaul... here in TN one hand doesn't necessarily know what the other is doing as we both know

[lovemykidstoo]

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.

I'm with you. I'm in Michigan too and noone knows about STARS. I have been hounded by them though to do it. I always say no thank you. Then I received an email that said they were giving anyone that did it $500. Hmmm, well in that case . So I filled it out and now someone is calling me on Monday to go through it piece by piece. I did not like the rating system because I really felt it was geared more towards centers even though I filled out the one for in-home. I'm licensed for 6, so I'm required to have 10 hours training, but one question said do I do at least 20 hours of training a year. Well no because it's not required, so I didn't get those points. Stuff like that needs to change.

[morgan24]

I'm with you. I'm in Michigan too and noone knows about STARS. I have been hounded by them though to do it. I always say no thank you. Then I received an email that said they were giving anyone that did it $500. Hmmm, well in that case . So I filled it out and now someone is calling me on Monday to go through it piece by piece. I did not like the rating system because I really felt it was geared more towards centers even though I filled out the one for in-home. I'm licensed for 6, so I'm required to have 10 hours training, but one question said do I do at least 20 hours of training a year. Well no because it's not required, so I didn't get those points. Stuff like that needs to change.

I'm also in MI and I agree that most of the self assessment is geared towards centers and they need to change it. I only did it to get the money because in my area nobody cares about how many stars you have and most haven't even heard of it.
I have 2 stars and that is enough for me. They are also offering to pay for you to get your CDA and paying a $300 bonus when you complete it. I going to do that even though I don't know if I would ever use it.

[lovemykidstoo]

I'm also in MI and I agree that most of the self assessment is geared towards centers and they need to change it. I only did it to get the money because in my area nobody cares about how many stars you have and most haven't even heard of it.
I have 2 stars and that is enough for me. They are also offering to pay for you to get your CDA and paying a $300 bonus when you complete it. I going to do that even though I don't know if I would ever use it.

Right now I'm at 2 stars, but they're going to call me Monday and go over it. I agree, noone even knows about it Waste of time IMO. So what is entailed in getting your CDA?

[Annalee]

Right now I'm at 2 stars, but they're going to call me Monday and go over it. I agree, noone even knows about it Waste of time IMO. So what is entailed in getting your CDA?

Also a waist of taxpayers money! Millions are spent in our state alone on QRIS! There needs to be accountability/responsibility in child care whether center or family/group, but I don't feel stars has accurately done that!