Delaware Stars for Early Success
Welcome, early childhood education professionals!
This page is your resource for all things regarding the Delaware Stars QRIS revision, including updates on progress, upcoming exchanges, important dates, and answers to your questions.
Bookmark it, include it as a favorite, whatever option your browser gives you – be sure you have quick access to this page.
Update
Delaware is making headway in revising the QRIS. The most recent round of updates is included in this section. Please take a few minutes to review the timeline depiction graphic and table below that outlines these changes.
The next phase of the QRIS revision process will:
- Define what/how quality information is collected
- Develop the process for providers to design and implement their Quality Improvement Plans
- Determine how quality supports (including funding and technical assistance) are distributed
Additionally, you may refer to these slides for further details.
The graphic below represents the standards for the revised Delaware Stars. The new system includes seven standards that represent broader content areas. Each standard is interdependent on another and necessary for creating a culture of continuous quality improvement.
Please click on the individual standard for a set of key practices that define the standard. Pathways support each practice and serve as guidance in advancing your work.
Delaware Stars is here to support programs and professionals through these pathways.
Thanks to your feedback and input from other early childhood stakeholders statewide and nationally, we’ve learned a lot about creating a QRIS that is equitable and incorporates a cycle of continuous quality improvement (CQI) throughout.
The revised Delaware Stars is a hybrid model aligned with DELACARE licensing regulations. The revised system includes Seven Standards, which represent broader content areas. The DELACARE licensing regulations and the Business Practices standard include required components that work together to assist programs in creating the conditions for quality. The remaining six standards (see the graphic above) represent quality practices and build upon that strong foundation.
Like your program, Delaware Stars is in a continuous quality improvement cycle. We use what we’ve learned to improve the system to support you in providing quality care and education.
To formally evaluate the Delaware Stars system, Delaware contracted with the RAND Corporation from 2013-2016 to conduct an independent evaluation. Additionally, we looked at other states QRIS to gain insights on Delaware Stars.
Here are some of the key learnings:
- Program quality increased modestly as star levels increased.
- FCCs tended to have higher quality scores.
- Children’s executive functioning skills were modestly higher in star level 5 programs
- Management & Administration and Qualifications & Professional Development domains moderately (positively) related to children’s cognitive skills.
- We need to pay more attention to workforce issues.
- Program and classroom quality measurement needs improvement.
- We may be leaving out important quality variables in QRIS such as– children’s engagement, continuity, stability, etc.
| QRIS Revision Committee Monthly Updates | QRIS Revision Reference Materials |
Following are the goals that are guiding the revision.
- Ratings are closely aligned to factors proven to improve and sustain child, family, workforce, and program outcomes.
- The Stars system incorporates multiple indicators of program quality.
- Each level of Stars incorporates a cycle of Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI).
- Equity and inclusion are demonstrated throughout the Stars system.
- The financial incentive and provider support structures are revised to better meet the needs of all programs and support CQI.
- Further align early childhood systems and create/improve data linkages.
- Verifications based on the 2014 Delaware Stars standards will not resume.
- Licensed early care and education programs not currently participating in Delaware Stars are welcome to apply! Newly enrolled programs will begin with the revised system.
- We need you! Your participation and feedback throughout the revision process is highly encouraged and helps us move forward.
Revision Goals
Following are the goals that are guiding the revision.
- Ratings are closely aligned to factors proven to improve and sustain child, family, workforce, and program outcomes.
- The Stars system incorporates multiple indicators of program quality.
- Each level of Stars incorporates a cycle of Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI).
- Equity and inclusion are demonstrated throughout the Stars system.
- The financial incentive and provider support structures are revised to better meet the needs of all programs and support CQI.
- Further align early childhood systems and create/improve data linkages.
