Early Childhood Strategy: Quality Improvement Systems

This strategy involves the use of comprehensive frameworksⁱ designed to enhance the quality of ECE programs and services by setting standards, providing supports, and promoting continuous improvementⁱⁱ. These systems aim to promote equity, excellence, and accountability. QI systems improve program quality, support professional development, and ensure positive outcomes for children and familiesⁱⁱⁱ. They address the following components:

• Quality Standards: QI systems define clear and measurable quality standards and criteria that ECE programs must meet to ensure high-quality services^iv. These standards typically cover various aspects of program quality, including health and safety, curriculum and instruction, staff qualifications and professional development, family engagement, and program administration^v.
• Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS): QRIS^vi are a common component of QI systems that assign ratings or levels to ECE programs based on their adherence to quality standards and their performance on key indicators. QRIS use a tiered rating structure (e.g., star ratings) to differentiate levels of quality and provide incentives for programs to improve. QRIS often offer financial incentives, technical assistance, and professional development opportunities to help programs move up in rating levels^vii.
• Professional Development: QI systems support the ongoing professional development of ECE professionals, including teachers, caregivers, administrators, and support staff. Professional development initiatives may include training workshops, coaching and mentoring, higher education scholarships^viii, credentialing programs, and continuing education opportunities focused on best practices in early childhood education and development^ix.
• Technical Assistance and Coaching: QI systems provide technical assistance and coaching to ECE programs to help them improve program quality and meet quality standards^x. Technical assistance may include onsite consultations, program assessments, action planning, and support in implementing evidence-based practices and quality improvement strategies. Coaching provides individualized support to ECE professionals to enhance their teaching practices, classroom management skills, and interactions with children and families^xi.
• Quality Improvement Grants and Funding: QI systems often allocate funding and grants to support quality improvement efforts in ECE programs^xii. These funds may be used for activities such as purchasing educational materials and supplies, upgrading facilities, implementing curriculum enhancements, and hiring additional staff to meet quality standards and improve program quality^xiii.
• Data Collection and Assessment: QI systems collect data and conduct assessments to measure program quality, track progress, and inform continuous improvement efforts^xiv. This may include conducting environmental assessments, using observation tools to assess teacher-child interactions, administering child assessments to measure developmental outcomes, and gathering feedback from families and stakeholders.
• Family Engagement: QI systems promote family engagement and partnerships^xv by involving families in the ECE program and decision-making processes. This may include providing opportunities for family involvement in program governance, offering parent education and support services, conducting parent surveys and focus groups, and facilitating communication between families and program staff.
• Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI): QI systems emphasize a culture of continuous quality improvement^xvi, where ECE programs engage in ongoing self-assessment, reflection, and learning to identify areas for improvement and implement changes to enhance program quality. CQI processes involve setting goals, collecting data, analyzing outcomes, making informed decisions, and monitoring progress over time.

Programs and Practices Within This Strategy

• Early childhood education standards, curriculum and instruction
• Developmental screenings and assessments
• Professional development
• Coaching and technical assistance
• Early literacy trainings
• Family engagement
• Socio-emotional learning and trauma-informed practices

See it in Action

• Kentucky Early Childhood Standards – Family Guides
• Kentucky ALL-STARS Quality Rating Improvement System
• Child Care Aware Professional Development and Coaching  
• LETRS for Early Childhood
• Family Friendly Early Care and Education