Your role matters!

As an early care and education professional, much of a child’s awake time is spent with you.  You are impacting a child’s brain development.  Recent research confirms that the first five years are particularly important for the development of the child’s brain.  The first three years are the most critical in shaping the child’s brain architecture. Early experiences provide the base for the brain’s organizational development and functioning throughout life. They have a direct impact on how children develop learning skills as well as social and emotional abilities.

Child care quality matters, in terms of:

• children’s everyday experiences;
• their cognitive and linguistic competencies;
• school readiness;
• and their development of social and emotional skills.

Why should I participate in Delaware Stars?

Delaware Stars is a Quality Rating and Improvement System for child care programs throughout the state of Delaware who are in good-standing with the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL). The purpose of Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS) in early childhood is to assess programs, acknowledge the level of quality, and to support the program in their journey to continuously improve their practice.

Our staff at Delaware Stars is committed to using a strengths-based approach by meeting programs where they are in their unique quality improvement journey. Delaware Stars offers a variety of supports at all star levels including:

• infant/toddler technical assistance;
• curriculum and assessment support;
• family and community involvement;
• and professional development.

Additionally, Stars provides financial incentives through Tiered Reimbursement – ongoing financial support for programs as they work on continuous quality improvement.

By participating in a Quality Rating and Improvement System, you are making a commitment to the children and families of Delaware to surpass the basic required standards of licensing.  You will be supporting better outcomes for the children in your care.