Step Up To Quality

3. What is Step Up To Quality? Voluntary quality rating system for ODJFS licensed centers Recognizes three progressively higher levels of program quality building on Ohio’s health and safety licensing requirements Provides supports and awards to assist programs in achieving and maintaining a star-rating

4. What are the Goals? Improve the quality of early care and education settings in order to support children’s optimal development and learning. Provide parents with an easy to use tool to assist them in selecting quality early care and education programs for their children.

6. Partners Ohio Department of Job & Family Services, Bureau of Child Care & Development OCCRRA - Ohio Child Care Resource & Referral Association Build Ohio Ohio Department of Education, Office of Early Learning & School Readiness

7. How can a quality rating system support children’s development & learning?

8. Clearly defines the research-based elements of quality Provides targeted supports and resources to improve program quality system-wide Informs parents and the public about the importance of quality programs Recognizes programs that achieve higher levels of quality

9. Movement Between Star-Ratings Step Up To Quality Pilot had 204 star-rated programs November 30, 2006 As of May 14, 2007, there were 263 star-rated programs, with many moving up to two and three star ratings Need a chart to show the following: 122 one star 46 two star 36 three star Moved to 154 one star 62 two star 47 three star Need a chart to show the following: 122 one star 46 two star 36 three star Moved to 154 one star 62 two star 47 three star

10. Pilot Results Parents reported they will use star-ratings to find programs in the future Administrators reported that participation is improving staff understanding of quality Star-rated programs scored significantly higher than non-rated programs on the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (Revised)

11. Steps to Earning a Star-rating Program submits application Teachers and administrators complete on-line Professional Registry (www.ohpdnetwork.org) State reviews application, compliance with licensing and staff qualifications Step Up Licensing Specialist (SULS) conduct on-site verification of SUTQ benchmark indicators Program receives star-rating certificate and promotional materials Program completes Quality Achievement Award application Program receives Quality Achievement Award

12. Getting Started Go to www.stepuptoquality.org and download the Guidance Document and other materials Apply online at www.stepuptoquality.org Go to www.ohpdnetwork.org and complete the Professional Registry for all Administrators, Lead Teachers, and Assistant Teachers

14. Benchmarks and Indicators

15. Benchmarks Ratio and Group Size Staff Education and Qualifications Specialized Training Administrative Practices Early Learning

16. Ratio and Group Size Ratio and group size are reduced as programs move from licensing standards to 3-stars Programs that are accredited or achieve an average score of 5 on Environment Rating Scales may meet ratios and group size requirements of the previous step

17. Staff Education and Qualifications Progressively more staff have a minimum of an associate degree in early childhood Indicators can be met by achieving Career Pathways Level 2 or 3, as appropriate, on the Professional Registry (www.ohpdnetwork.org)

18. Specialized Training Annual training for administrators, lead teachers and assistant teachers Training is approved and must be position and/or age of child specific See Guidance Document and Approved Training at www.stepuptoquality.org

20. Administrative Practices Increasing attention to program planning and evaluation, human resource development and benefits and compensation Utilizes Program Administration Scale (PAS), professional development plans for the administrator and all teachers, salary structure and menu of benefits

21. Early Learning Builds on the foundation of the Infant and Toddler Guidelines, Early Learning Standards and Program Guidelines Aligns curriculum, planning, and screenings Integrates ongoing child assessment and classroom action plans

22. Getting Started Currently, programs must be ODJFS licensed centers Programs must not have received a letter of intent to revoke the child care license in the past 48 months Programs must not have had a serious risk non-compliance with licensing rules in the past 12 months

23. Programs apply online at the Step Up To Quality web site www.stepuptoquality.org Programs apply for a specific Star level - 1 Star, 2 Star, 3 Star or as an Emerging Star Training must be complete at the time of application Programs will receive a notice of eligibility letter with an unannounced verification visit to follow within 90 days There is no application fee

24. Professional Registry The Registry is housed on the Professional Development website at www.ohpdnetwork.org All administrators, lead and assistant teachers must complete their own individual Registry Profile and forward verification of trainings to OCCRRA This can be completed prior to the application process

25. Review of Application Step Up To Quality Licensing Specialist (SULS) determine applicant’s eligibility based upon the program’s licensing history Center will receive notification of eligibility status from the SULS in e-mail or letter form Step Up Licensing Specialists request Registry Profiles from OCCRRA for use during the verification visit

26. On-site Verification Step Up Licensing Specialists will complete an unannounced verification visit within 90 days from date program receives a notice of eligibility letter Programs will need to have a complete Evidence Binder available for the SULS SULS will review documents and observe in classrooms to verify that the program meets the benchmarks and indicators for the step for which they applied

27. Notification of star-rating Programs are notified by letter and mailed a Step Up To Quality certificate when they achieve a Star Rating The Star Rating is added to the ODJFS Child Care Website in the program’s profile

28. Quality Achievement Award Formula driven reward based on license capacity, percent of enrolled children funded through ODJFS subsidy, and level of star-rating Awards may range from $3,000 to $36,000 annually subject to available funding and continued compliance 25% of award must be used for critical repair, classroom improvement, early learning resources and/or accreditation See Quality Achievement Awards at www.stepuptoquality.org Star-rated programs are also eligible for T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Ohio scholarships

29. What is Emerging Stars? Emerging Stars is a program to help centers put systems in place to ensure compliance with portions of rules designated as Serious Risk A strong foundation of compliance with health and safety is the critical base on which to build high quality

30. Emerging Stars Eligibility Programs that have serious risk non-compliance findings may apply for Emerging Stars. Emerging Stars receive on-site technical assistance monthly until a star-rating is awarded or for a maximum of 12 months. Once star-rated, programs receive quarterly technical assistance until the star-rating is renewed.

32. Child Care Resource & Referral Local CCR&R agencies Provide general information on SUTQ Assist programs is securing approved training Conduct environmental assessments for Emerging Stars Provide technical assistance to Emerging Stars

33. Child Care Resource & Referral OCCRRA Manages web-based Professional Registry Manages T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Ohio scholarship and compensation program Manages and processes Quality Achievement Awards Works to develop and distribute marketing materials, coordinates and integrates efforts of specialists in the field

34. Professional Registry Housed within the Ohio Professional Development Network website (www.ohpdnetwork.org) Professionals use the on-line registry to Create a profile Post education, training and credentials Track employment Calculate a personal Career Pathway Level that can be applied to SUTQ indicators

35. Professional Registry Getting Started Set up a user I.D. and password by e-mailing the Registry office at registry@occrra.org Follow links at www.ohpdnetwork.org to enter data Send copies of documentation for education, training and credentials to OCCRRA Routinely up date your information

36. Professional Registry Additional Information Visit www.build-ohio.org click on publications and links to view information from the Ohio Professional Development Network and Registry Conference call Visit www.ohpdnetwork.org Call 1-877-547-6978 or e-mail registry@occrra.org with questions

37. T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Ohio Staff in star-rated programs may access scholarships leading to an associate’s degree in early childhood education or child development Assistance is provided with tuition, books and related expenses T.E.A.C.H. scholars commit to remain in their current program for one year A raise or bonus is awarded to the scholar

38. T.E.A.C.H. Additional Information Visit www.build-ohio.org click on publications and links to view information from the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Ohio conference call Visit www.occrra.org/TEACH for detailed information and printable applications Call 1-877-547-6978 ext. 304 or e-mail efencl@occrra.org with questions

39. Quality Achievement Award Process ODJFS calculates award amount and program is mailed an award application Program completes application with assurances and submits to OCCRRA OCCRRA processes and mails a check for one-half the annual award Remaining award amount is processed after 6 months

40. Quality Achievement Award Additional Information See Quality Achievement Awards at www.stepuptoquality.org Call OCCRRA at 1-877-547-6978 with questions

41. Marketing Materials Star Rated programs will receive: Step Up To Quality Banner Media Kit which contains letters for media and legislators, print materials for parents Recognition of 3 Star Centers at the Accreditation/SUTQ luncheon at the annual Early Care and Education Conference

42. Everything Is Available Online www.stepuptoquality.org SUTQ Benchmarks and Indicators for each star rating Guidance Document - detailed information on policies and procedures Application Form Quality Achievement Awards Who to Call When – a listing of commonly asked questions, plus local and state contact information Serious Risk Rules – complete listing Early Learning Training Evidence Binder Sample Forms Parent Information Please email conferencecall@build-ohio.org if you have questions.

43. Thanks for Stepping Up!