What are the Goals of QRS?

• Enhance child well-being and readiness to enter school
• Raise quality through delivery of support services to early care and education programs
• Affect market demand for quality via consumer awareness activities
  
  

What are the components of Broward's Quality Rating System?

Learning Environment – QRS uses the research based Environment Rating Scales to assess classroom quality:

Professional Qualifications – research shows that children whose teachers have more education have better outcomes.

• • QRS recognizes teachers who have a Child Development Associate (CDA/FCCPC) credential or higher level of education.
  • Directors are recognized for achieving the Foundational or Advanced level Directors Credential, plus additional college level education in early childhood.
  • Increasing levels of staff education through inservice training and college level classes result in higher stars

• Ratio and Group Size – research strongly suggests that smaller group sizes and more staff with children lead to better outcomes for children. QRS recognizes programs with small groups and ratios that are better than minimum licensing standards.

• Curriculum – Implementation of a developmentally appropriate curriculum is a strong predictor of children's success in school. QRS looks for adherence to the curriculum standards set by the Early Learning Coalition of Broward County.

• Family Engagement – Recognizing that children's chances for success increase when families get involved in their child's early care and education program, QRS encourages programs to invite ongoing family participation in a variety of ways.

• Program Administration – A strong set of management practices including record-keeping, financial management, staff hiring and retention practices, and emergency planning are key to a successful program.

• Accreditation – Private accrediting agencies perform an important quality assurance function by accrediting or certifying early care and education programs that meet their standards. Florida designates several accrediting agencies as Florida Gold Seal. QRS recognizes programs meeting Gold Seal accreditation standards with a Plus (+) designation at any Star Level achieved.

• Child Care Center Information (Presentation)
  
• Family Child Care Information (Presentation)