Child care programs encouraged to apply for updated Stars rating and incentives
OKLAHOMA CITY (June 1, 2022) – Oklahoma Human Services’ (OKDHS) Child Care Services (CCS) is re-launching the enhanced and streamlined Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) today, June 1, to highlight high-quality child care programs. With the latest updates to QRIS, child care programs can achieve up to a five-Star rating (previously only up to a three-Star rating), and will have alternate pathways to national accreditation, in addition to a multitude of program incentives. Child care providers may learn more and apply for their new quality rating at https://oklahoma.gov/okdhs/services/child-care-services/qris.html.
The QRIS is a program that defines nationally-recognized quality criteria for early childhood programs in Oklahoma and provides tools, supports and incentives for participating child care providers. Additionally, QRIS helps parents understand the quality practices of their child care program with a defined set of program standards. More Stars let parents know a particular child care program is achieving a higher level of quality standards. Parents may view their child care program’s Star rating and results of recent monitoring visits on OKDHS’ Child Care Locator.
Choosing child care is one of the most important decisions a parent can make. Parents are encouraged to ask their child care provider to participate in QRIS to support the best learning and development, family partnership, program evaluation, professional development, administrative practices and health and safety.
Brittany Lee, CCS Director, explains how the QRIS offers “Quality for Every Child.”
“For us at OKDHS, ’Quality for Every Child’ isn’t just a slogan -- it’s our life,” says Lee. “My team is committed to ensuring all children and families who need it have access to licensed, quality child care, which is an important factor for our state’s economy and allows parents to access and attain their educational and career goals. The updates to QRIS offer a win-win for child care providers and Oklahoma parents with incentives and growth opportunities at every Star level.”
The enhancements to QRIS support child care programs in offering the highest quality in early childhood experiences. By participating in QRIS, child care providers will receive tools, supports and incentives to help continually improve the care and education they provide, raise the professional development level of their staff and increase families’ awareness of the importance of their quality practices.
“OKDHS has demonstrated a commitment to work collaboratively with providers to ensure continuous improvement,” said Gabrielle Moon, Executive Director of St. Luke’s Children’s Centers. “The new 5-Star program is another example of innovation and partnership to improve our childcare system.”
Lee, CCS and Moon encourage child care programs to apply or re-apply for QRIS at https://oklahoma.gov/okdhs/services/child-care-services/qris.html. Child care programs will not want to miss the incentives, tools and supports to help them continually improve their care and business practices.
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