Early Achievers Overview Starting Strong – August 15, 2012

Race to the Top - Early Learning Challenge  $60 million competitive grant to:  Improve the quality of early learning and development programs and services  Close the achievement gap for children with high needs  Increase the number of low-income and disadvantaged children each age group of infants, toddlers and preschoolers enrolled in high quality early learning and development programs  Washington is one of 9 states to win  Washington’s application rated third in the nation in scoring and award amount STARTING STRONG August 15, 2012

A Systems Approach STARTING STRONG August 15, 2012

Targets for Early Achievers  All licensed child care, ECEAP, and Head Start eligible for QRIS (2012) at Level 1  By 2015:  54% of participants in QRIS will be Level 2 or higher (20% of participants will be in Levels 3-5)  60% of children in care will be in Levels 3-5 STARTING STRONG August 15, 2012

What is a QRIS?  Choosing childcare is an important decision. Families deserve to know their children are in a quality care environments that foster a love of learning, promote each child’s unique skills and cultures, and support the development of the whole child.  A QRIS provides unbiased information about the quality of child care and early learning programs through an easy-to-understand rating system.  By participating in Early Achievers, providers are demonstrating a commitment to improving quality. QRIS provides supports and incentives to aid those efforts.  When parents and caregivers have better information about early learning, demand for high-quality programs will increase. STARTING STRONG August 15, 2012

Quality Early Learning Early Achievers helps identify programs that have:  Nurturing and supportive relationships between adults and children  Care and education that meets each student’s individual needs  Facilities that are safe, well- organized, and have age- appropriate resources  Programs that support the development of the whole child  Open communication and genuine engagement with families  Meaningful efforts to embrace diversity STARTING STRONG August 15, 2012

STARTING STRONG August 15, 2012

Partners in Quality August 15, 2012 Child Care Aware of Washington Department of Early Learning University of Washington Technical Assistance Coaching Training Administration Licensing Data Systems Rating Evaluation Coach Model Early Achievers State Board of Community and Technical Colleges Thrive by Five Washington Early Learning Coalitions STARTING STRONG

Participating Programs STARTING STRONG August 15, 2012 Licensed Child Care Centers Licensed Family Child Care Homes Certified Tribal Certified Military Facilities ECEAP Head Start Early Achievers

Regional Roll-out STARTING STRONG August 15, 2012

Washington’s Quality Standards STARTING STRONG August 15, 2012 The model supports facilities to build a strong foundation at Levels 1-2, then gain points by meeting standards that are in line with their program philosophy at Levels 3-5. The model supports continuous quality improvement at all levels.

Level 2 - Technical Assistance  Accessed through your local resource & referral office  TA providers will be focused on providing support to Early Achievers participants working through Level 2 requirements  TA will focus on Early Achievers policies and procedures, MERIT related support and Level 2 trainings. TA will work to ensure that Early Achievers are ready to apply for a rating for Levels 3-5 STARTING STRONG August 15, 2012

Facility Rating  After evaluation, facilities are rated 2-5 based on the point system  Facilities will receive a certificate and ratings will be posted to Child Care Check and with the resource & referral  Ratings are valid for 3 years  Once a rating has been received and the site has evaluation results, they are able to begin coaching and quality improvement planning STARTING STRONG August 15, 2012

Levels 3-5  Flexible and points based.  On-site evaluation based on quality standard areas:  Child Outcomes  Facility Curriculum and Learning Environment and Interactions  Professional Development and Training  Family Engagement and Partnership STARTING STRONG August 15, 2012

Quality Improvement Plans  Quality Improvement Plans based on evaluation of quality standards and rating  Incentives help to accomplish specified goals  Access to scholarships and professional development  Quality Improvement Awards  Coaching STARTING STRONG August 15, 2012

Coaching  Guiding Principles  Cultural Competency  Parallel Processes  Adult Resiliency  Practice Based Coaching – a model for supporting the use of effective teaching practices and improving quality ratings.  Creation of shared goals and action plans  Conducting focused observations  Providing reflection and feedback within the context of collaborative relationships STARTING STRONG August 15, 2012

Where We Were -Early Achiever Background/History  Washington’s QRIS model is based on a voluntary, two-year field test called Seeds to Success. The Department of Early Learning (DEL) and our partner, Thrive by Five Washington, tested the system in five communities: East Yakima and White Center; and Spokane, Clark and Kitsap counties.  Eighty-six child care facilities in the five communities were part of this test, including family home child care facilities and child care centers.  The field test was conducted with public funding through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and with private funding from Thrive and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. STARTING STRONG August 15, 2012

Seeds to Success in Clark County Participating programs in Clark County  Mix of Family Child Care and Center Programs Year One and Two  Training and Professional Development Opportunities  Coaching and Quality Improvement Plans  The Power of Videotaping STARTING STRONG August 15, 2012

Lessons Learned  Goals are hard to accomplish w/o financial support, especially release time.  Support of leadership and management practices is key.  Coaching and training are effective at creating quality change; videotaping is an effective strategy for teacher-child interactions. This work informed the standards and the system! STARTING STRONG August 15, 2012

Where We Are  Information – Community Outreach  Orientations  Technical Assistance Work through Level II in 5 Counties  Early Achiever Trainings  Coaching Work STARTING STRONG August 15, 2012

Next Steps: MERIT and Orientation STARTING STRONG August 15, MERIT-The Managed Education and Registry Information Tool (MERIT) is a statewide tool to document and recognize the professional achievements of early care & education and school-age professionals. Visit the MERIT webpage at merit.del.wa.gov. merit.del.wa.gov MERIT allows you to: Document your education and training experience in one place. Build a professional resume and plan your future education and career goals. Find training opportunities by state-approved trainers with expertise and skill. Use verified information in your professional record to participate in quality initiatives. 2.ORIENTATIONS- Contact your local Child Care Aware program to attend an Early Achiever Orientation in your area. You will then be able fill out the online application through MERIT and start the Level Two trainings.

Contact Information: STARTING STRONG August 15, 2012 Kristin Johnson Early Achiever Regional Coordinator x 394 Educational Service District NE 65 th Ave Vancouver, WA 98661

Questions? STARTING STRONG August 15, 2012