High Quality Early Learning Systems Building: State Approaches and Examples

Report November 1, 2017

First 5 Association of California unites all 58 First 5 county commissions around a common agenda and works to bolster programs surrounding family strengthening, early identification, oral health, quality early learning, and system sustainability. First 5 commissioned this research and report to understand how states have built and expanded early learning systems and to facilitate policy conversations with a policy committee to apply this learning to California. This document offers information on state approaches to early learning systems building, a compendium of state-level policies for early learning quality and access, and an analysis of current trends.

States, Early Education and the Every Student Succeeds Act

Archived Meeting Resources November 1, 2017

Self-Assessment Tool for Early Childhood Programs Serving Families Experiencing Homelessness

Archived Meeting Resources June 1, 2017

This Self-Assessment Tool for Early Childhood Programs Serving Families Experiencing Homelessness has been specifically designed for child care, Head Start and Early Head Start, and public pre-k programs as a guide for welcoming and supporting families and children experiencing homelessness into these programs.

The Cost of Quality: Childcare Study

Report April 1, 2017

The Intent of the Fort Worth-Dallas Cost of Quality Study is to establish a true cost of quality for the area (Tarrant and Dallas Counties), specifically the cost of operating a facility utilizing the Texas Workforce Commission's Texas Rising Star Quality Rating Assessment.

Video: QRIS 3.0 Tools and Resources

Archived Webinar March 23, 2017

This webinar announcing BUILD’s QRIS 3.0 Tools and Resources provides an outline of the self-assessment tool and its purpose, information about financing for quality rating and improvement systems, state approaches to integrating PreK in QRIS and building cross-sector integration, communications and advocacy strategies, and tips for states on using the tools.

QRIS 3.0 Webinar Deck

Slide Deck March 23, 2017

This webinar slide deck announcing BUILD’s QRIS 3.0 Tools and Resources provides an outline of the self-assessment tool and its purpose, information about financing for quality rating and improvement systems, state approaches to integrating PreK in QRIS and building cross-sector integration, communications and advocacy strategies, and tips for states on using the tools

Tool for a Cross-Sector QRIS

Planning Tool March 1, 2017

Complete with a scoring rubric, and a self-populating summary chart, the tool is designed to assess QRIS—areas of strength as well as challenges—to inform next steps in QRIS development. This tool focuses on cross-sector QRIS that seek to support school readiness, healthy child development, and equitable outcomes for young children.

Diversity of Child Care Programs Participating in Parent Aware: An Equity Lens

Report February 1, 2017

This report describes and provides data on Parent Aware, Minnesota’s Quality Rating and Improvement System. Information, including the equity principles for which it stands and the measures in place to carry out those principles.

Toward Coherence: State Approaches to Integrating Pre-K in QRIS

Report January 1, 2017

At the state level, both Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS) and pre- kindergarten (pre-K) are on the rise. This paper explores cross-sector QRIS, which we define as QRIS that are inclusive of child care and pre-K programs. The paper aims to support policymakers and advocates as they examine their existing approaches and strive to increase coherence, effectiveness and equity.

Communications Strategies for Expanding Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS): A Primer for Reaching Policy Audiences

Report January 1, 2017

As state early learning leaders continue to improve and expand their QRIS, having policymakers understand and value the integral role it plays in a state early learning system is essential – especially as their support is critical for investment of public resources. This primer was developed to help with creating strategies and messages to effectively reach out to and communicate with policymakers.