North Carolina Division of Child Development The Road to NC’s Star Rated License Lorie Pugh Policy and Planning Consultant Regulatory Services Section July 2008
North Carolina Division of Child Development Drive for Change Cost, Quality, and Child Outcomes Study Opportunity to include quality measures via higher standards Give parents more information Way to recognize providers that offer higher quality care
North Carolina Division of Child Development The Road to NC’s Rated License Initial state legislation passed in 1997 Began to issue ratings in Oct 1999 All Star Rated Licenses issued in Sept 2000 New legislation passed in 2005 All programs to be transitioned in 2008
North Carolina Division of Child Development Research-Based Components Program Standards –Staff/child ratio, group size, policies, environment rating scale Education Standards –Staff education and experience Compliance with health and safety standards
North Carolina Division of Child Development Statewide System Child care centers – 5,040 –School age programs –Public prekindergarten programs –Head Start Family child care homes – 3,871
North Carolina Division of Child Development Smart Start Child Care Subsidy CCDF Quality Professional Development Office of School Readiness Quality Enhancements, Training TA, Grants, Enhanced Subsidy Tiered Reimbursements T.E.A.C.H. WAGE$ Professional Dev. Institute Community Colleges I/T, School Age and Behavior Specialists T.E.A.C.H. Health Insurance More at Four Pre-K Standards Curriculum B-K Teachers
North Carolina Division of Child Development Financial Incentives STARS CHILD CARE SUBSIDY QUALITYQUALITY
North Carolina Division of Child Development Star Challenges Maintaining subsidy rates to support quality Improving the star rated license system Communication and training
North Carolina Division of Child Development
Evaluation of the System
North Carolina Division of Child Development Evaluation of the System In Five Star Centers: March % children March % children Providers Who Completed the Rating Scales: March % March %
North Carolina Division of Child Development What We Tell Other States “If you build it…” Base it on research Assess what you can do, then tailor to your needs Make it achievable Make it understandable Make it multi-level Make it something you can administer Have to have a baseline of support Have to communicate with staff, providers and the child care community
North Carolina Division of Child Development Contact Information Lorie Pugh NC Division of Child Development