Dr. Jasmin Niedo, Evergreen Learning’s program manager and QRIS assessor, facilitated the orientation. Evergreen Learning is CCDF’s partner in implementing the activities and procedures for the quality care initiative. Child care providers were informed of QRIS as “a systemic approach to assess, improve, and communicate the level of quality in early care and education settings.” Dr. Niedo stressed that one of the purposes of the QRIS is a way for CCDF to empower parents and the community to become informed consumers who can choose high quality care for their children.
The CNMI QRIS first launched in July 2016. The QRIS rates child care programs along a five-star level system, with star level 5 representing the highest quality. To determine the star level, programs are assessed on how they meet quality in six standard areas: health and safety, staffing and professional development, child growth and development, children with disabilities, family engagement and strengthening, and leadership and management.
Over 100 child care providers recently attended a three-hour long orientation for the CNMI Child Care and Development Fund’s Quality Rating and Improvement System in the MHS cafeteria. DCCA-CCDF photo
From March to June 2020, all CCDF-certified child care facilities in the CNMI will undergo full program observations to determine their level of quality. Individuals who will conduct the observations are certified QRIS assessors and have earned interrater reliability on the Environment Rating Scales and the Program Administration Scale-the tools used by CCDF to measure program quality.
Participation in the QRIS is mandatory for all child care programs that are CCDF-certified to register children who receive child care subsidy under the CCDBG Reauthorization of 2014.
For more information on the QRIS, visit the CNMI Child Care Licensing Program’s website at http://www.cnmicclp.gov.mp/cnmi-qris/ or contact via email Maribel Loste, CCDF administrator, at [email protected].
