Library: Policy
340:110-1-8.10. Program evaluation for continuous quality improvement criteria
Revised 6-1-22
(a) Two-, three-, four-, and five-star center criteria. Program evaluation criteria in this subsection are required for centers.
(1) Personnel and families are surveyed annually identifying program strengths and weaknesses and evaluating effectiveness in meeting children's, families', and personnel's needs.
(2) Part-day programs annually conduct an equipment inventory using the appropriate Oklahoma Human Services (OKDHS) form. Equipment inventories are maintained on file at the program.
(b) Three-, four-, and five-star center criteria. Program evaluation criteria in (a) of this Section are required. In addition, program evaluation methods described in (1) through (4) of this subsection are completed within one year of receiving three-, four-, or five-star level and repeated as required.
(1) The program is assessed annually using an assessment tool approved by Child Care Services (CCS). • 1 This assessment is not required for:
(A) programs accredited by a CCS-approved, national accrediting organization; or
(B) Head Start grantees compliant with Head Start Program Performance Standards. • 2
(2) Program goals are established and updated annually considering information gathered from completed family and personnel surveys, equipment inventories, physical environment checklists, and a CCS-approved assessment tool, or approved national accreditation assessment tool, when applicable. The program may also use any program-completed needs assessments.
(3) The program has a written plan and program policy and procedures for meeting established goals, including professional development and educational needs for personnel.
(4) Personnel participate in program evaluation and the established goals for continuous quality improvement are shared with personnel.
(c) Two-, three-, four-, and five-star home criteria. Program evaluation criteria in this subsection are required for family child care homes.
(1) Health and safety checklists for both indoor and outdoor spaces are completed annually and maintained on file at the program.
(2) Personnel and families are surveyed annually identifying program strengths and weaknesses and evaluating effectiveness in meeting children's, families', and personnel's needs.
(d) Three-, four-, and five-star home criteria. Program evaluation criteria in this subsection are completed within one year of receiving three-, four-, or five-star level and repeated as required.
(1) The program is assessed annually using an assessment tool approved by Child Care Services (CCS). • 1 This assessment is not required for programs accredited by a CCS-approved, national accrediting organization. • 2
(2) Program goals are established and updated annually considering information gathered from completed health and safety checklists, family and personnel surveys, and a CCS-approved assessment tool, or approved national accreditation assessment tool, when applicable. The program may also use any program-completed needs assessments.
(3) The program has a written plan and program policy and procedures for meeting established goals, including professional development and educational needs for the primary caregiver and assistant.
(4) Personnel participate in program evaluation and the established goals for continuous quality improvement are shared with personnel.
INSTRUCTIONS TO STAFF 340:110-1-8.10
Revised 6-1-22
1. Verification is a completed, dated Form 07LC011E, Oklahoma Quality Child Care Program Scale: Self-assessment, Oklahoma Quality Out-of-school Time Program Scale, or a Child Care Services (CCS)-approved assessment tool. Out-of-school time programs may use the School-Age Program Quality Assessment (School-Age PQA) tool.
2. Approved national accrediting bodies are the:
(1) Association of Christian Schools International's Preschool Accreditation (ACSI);
(2) National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), Early Learning Program Accreditation;
(3) National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA);
(4) Council on Accreditation (COA);
(5) National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs (NAC);
(6) Accredited Professional Preschool Learning Environment (APPLE);
(7) Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF);
(8) National Association of Family Child Care (NAFCC); and
(9) Cognia.
