Early Achievers Overview Starting Strong – August 15, 2012.

Early Achievers OverviewStarting 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 STRONGAugust 15, 2012

A Systems Approach


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


• Programs: 802

• Children served: 18,359

2012

• Programs: 2,228


2013

• Programs: 3,483


2014

• Programs: 3,982


2015

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.


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


Partners in Quality

August 15, 2012

Child Care Aware of Washington

Department of Early Learning

University of Washington

Technical AssistanceCoachingTraining

AdministrationLicensing

Data Systems

RatingEvaluation

Coach Model

Early Achievers

State Board of Community and Technical Colleges

Thrive by Five Washington Early Learning Coalitions

STARTING STRONG

Participating Programs


Licensed Child Care Centers

Licensed Family Child Care

HomesCertified Tribal Certified

MilitaryFacilities Facilities

ECEAP

Head Start

Early Achievers

Regional Roll-out


Washington’s Quality Standards


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


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


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


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


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


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.


Seeds to Success in Clark CountyParticipating 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


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!


Where We Are Information – Community Outreach

Orientations

Technical Assistance Work through Level II in 5 Counties

Early Achiever Trainings

Coaching Work


Next Steps: MERIT and Orientation


1. 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 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.

http://www.merit.del.wa.gov/

Contact Information:


Kristin Johnson Early Achiever Regional Coordinator 360-750-7500 x 394

Educational Service District 112 2500 NE 65th AveVancouver, WA 98661

Questions?


Early Achievers Overview Starting Strong – August 15, 2012.

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