Virginia’s Star Quality Initiative

The Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) is a consumer education tool for parents to know what quality looks like on a one-to-five star scale. Every star that a center earns is above and beyond the minimum licensing standards for child care centers in our region.  When a center participates in QRIS they are showing a commitment to improving quality for young children.

Since 2009, these programs have worked hard to maintain and improve higher quality standards for young children. When a center participates in QRIS they receive a star rating and a mentor that works with them to develop a quality improvement plan.  Resources are provided to:

• Increase teacher education and qualifications through scholarships.
• Improve teacher-child interactions through training and education.
• Provide books and early learning materials to improve the environment for children.

Impact

• 102 centers participating.
• Over 9,000 children impacted.
• 16 Four-Star rated centers in our region.
• 17 re-ratings.
• To date, 59% of QRIS centers increased their rating by one-star.
• The average star rating increased from 2.5 to 3.3 following quality mentorship.

• 20 Family Child Care Homes pilot QRIS.
• 228 children impacted.
• 2  5-Star rated programs.
• 8  4-Star rated programs.
• 1  3-Star rated program.

Evaluation

In 2010, SBSHR commissioned a study with The University of Virginia's Center for the Advanced Study of Teaching and Learning (CASTL) and conducted research to examine the link between child care quality and school readiness outcomes.  Results showed:

• Children in QRIS centers that were mentored for more hours had significantly greater rates of development of language and social-emotional skills during the school year.
• QRIS centers had significantly higher overall quality learning environments and instructional practices than comparison centers after participating in the quality enhancement initiative.

What can you do?

• Sign-up for QRIS by calling 226-8826.
• Adopt-A Center.  Click here to learn more. 
• Find out if you child’s center is rated, if not, encourage them to sign-up and get rated.  Click here to find out.