The QCC County Program Profile provides county data from the Common Data File (CDF) and the Annual Progress Report (APR). For counties that are a part of a consortium, the QCC County Program Profile provides a combined view of the CDF and APR. Both qualitative and quantitative data are presented to provide a local view of early learning and care climate.

Marin Quality Counts is a collaborative initiative promoting excellence in early care and education for programs, providers, and families. Our work includes the Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) for Marin County. Marin Quality Counts is administered by the Marin County Office of Education and Marin Child Care Council. The Marin Quality Counts Consortia is composed of the Marin County Office of Education, Marin Child Care Council, First 5 Marin, College of Marin, the Marin County Child Care Commission, Title 5 Directors Group, California State Preschool Program Directors Group, Marin Head Start, Family Child Care Association, and the Marin Association for Education of Young Children.

Since 2016, 19 sites have been rated, and all 47 sites have received support to improve quality through technical assistance, coaching, professional development, incentives, stipends, and block grants. The Marin Quality Counts QRIS has five levels and measures several elements of program quality including (1) Child Development and School Readiness, (2) Teachers and Training, and (3) Program and Environment. Sites rating at the highest tiers of Mastering High Quality Standards or Exceeding High Quality Standards receive recognition and access to incentives and block grants specific to their grant funding.

• Marin County Office of Education (LEA QCC LCPG)
• CSPP QRIS & IMPACT 2020
• Marin Child Care Council (R & R)
• QCC-PDG-R
• First 5 Marin
• College of Marin
• Marin County Child Care Commission (LPC)
• Title 5 Directors Group
• CSPP Directors Group
• Marin Head Start
• Family Child Care Association
• Marin Association for the Education of Young Children

Enrollment is open, and interested programs are able to apply online or in person. Coaches who are in non-participating Marin Quality Counts (MQC) programs support the recruitment efforts. Programs are able to participate at three different levels (Steps). An email listserv has been created for Marin, and email blasts are sent out regularly. New programs meet with MQC staff and coaches, if applicable, to learn more about this opportunity. Professional development is open to the public (free or at a very low cost), and many of the new programs have been recruited after being involved in high-quality professional development activities. Programs that enter mid-year come in at a Step 1 level (access to professional development). At this time, local education agencies and partners are at capacity with technical assistance and coaching (Step 2 and Step 3 levels).

Marin Quality Counts offers coaching, technical assistance, professional development, leadership development, opportunities for peer learning (professional learning communities/cohorts), CLASS, ERS, TPOT, and EduSnap observations/assessments and data.

We provide professional development stipends aligned to specific intensive training cohorts (Teaching Pyramid and Anti-Bias), academic stipends for successful completion of 3 to 6 units toward degree completion or permit attainment, and incentives/stipends for participating in 21+ hours of Madera County Quality Counts professional development. Materials and books related to professional development are provided for participants. California State Preschool Program (CSPP) sites receive Block Grants for high tier ratings (4/5), and non-CSPP sites receive classroom libraries to support social–emotional development, anti-bias, and inclusive practices for successfully completing the rating process.

A Teacher shared: My coach is the best. She is very knowledgeable and helps me in ways that let me keep growing.

A Family Child Care Home Provider shared: My coach’s presence, actuation, persistence, support, referrals, workshops, and care were fundamental for me to pursue my goals.