Quality Counts California is a collaborative effort
Quality Counts California is a collaboration between First 5 California and the California Department of Education, Early Education and Support Division, and is implemented at the county or regional level through locally tailored and operated QRISs. Using a common set of early learning and care program standards and general guidance developed collaboratively through a state and local partnership, each QRIS assesses and rates voluntary participating programs in its own geographic area.
What are the quality ratings?
The ratings are based on how well the programs meet the five-tiered set of program standards, which cover three core areas:
- Child Development and School Readiness
- Teachers and Teaching
- Program and Environment
Quality ratings help parents choose child care and help providers sustain quality
QRIS ratings can help parents choose the best early learning and care program for their child. At the same time, a QRIS rating helps programs identify areas for potential quality improvement and provide incentives and supports to help programs sustain quality and success.
Local QRISs provide support and resources to parents and providers
Local QRISs across California are in various stages of development, with some established more than a decade ago and others more recently underway. As a result, the needs of individual QRISs are likely to vary. Thus, this site offers a range of resources, some of which will be more useful than others to individual programs.