When selecting an early childhood education center, knowing about Quality Rated Information System (QRIS) can be helpful. QRIS evaluates early childhood education centers across critical areas like teaching quality, learning environments, and the appropriateness of activities, providing a standardized assessment to help you make informed decisions.
QRIS are comprehensive frameworks designed to assess and enhance the quality of early childhood education programs. Key components that demonstrate the value of QRIS include:
Evaluates qualifications and training of the teaching staff.
Assesses physical and emotional environments conducive to learning.
Reviews educational programs and curriculums for appropriateness.
Evaluates how programs involve families in children’s education.
Ensures adherence to health and safety guidelines.
Monitors and assesses children’s developmental progress.
Offers ongoing training and support for staff.
Indicates recognition by national or state accreditation bodies.
This table below provides a quick overview of the Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS) used in different states to evaluate early childhood education centers. The ratings not enclosed in parentheses are recommended, while others are given less emphasis, helping parents to make informed decisions about the quality of care their children will receive.
When evaluating early childhood education centers, consider those marked without parentheses as high quality, such as TRS 4 and TRS 3. Centers marked within parentheses, like (TRS 2), are to be considered with care, meaning they may meet some quality standards but require further evaluation to ensure they align with your expectations.
| State | QRIS System | Quality Ratings |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | Texas Rising Star | TRS 4, TRS 3, (TRS 2) |
| Georgia | Quality Rated | 3, 2, (1) |
| Illinois | ExceleRate Illinois | Gold, Silver, (Bronze) |
| Alabama | Alabama Quality Stars | 5, 4, 3, (2,1) |
| California | Quality Counts California | 5, 4, 3, (2,1) |
| New York | QUALITYstarsNY | 5 stars, 4 stars, 3 stars, (2 stars, 1 stars) |
| Tennessee | Tennessee QRIS | 3, 2, (1) |
| Virginia | The Unified Virginia Quality Birth to Five System (VBQ5) | Exceeds Expectations, (Meets Expectations, Needs Support) |
| Arkansas | Better Beginnings | 6, 5, 4, (3, 2, 1) |
| Washington | Early Achievers | 5, 4, 3, (2, 1) |
| New Jersey | Grow NJ Kids | 5, 4, 3, (2,1) |