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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>STARS-Very Interesting
Country Kids 06:43 AM 02-28-2013
Some of you may have known this but I found out that all states are doing the stars program except one-Missouri. There legeslation voted it down! I so wish ours had.

It is a voluntary program but I seriously think if you don't participate its going to hurt you in the end. I even found out that Head Starts will need to participate if they want to earn the STARS for their program. Only though if they go through the licensing process. It seems like they would have to though.

I do think its going to be an interesting process and its just amazing how I have seen so many changes in this industry in the last 20 years.
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Evansmom 06:53 AM 02-28-2013
I can't seem to find any info for this on google for my state, TX. What does STARS stand for? Maybe I can look up info that way.
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blandino 07:01 AM 02-28-2013
Originally Posted by Country Kids:
Some of you may have known this but I found out that all states are doing the stars program except one-Missouri. There legeslation voted it down! I so wish ours had.

It is a voluntary program but I seriously think if you don't participate its going to hurt you in the end. I even found out that Head Starts will need to participate if they want to earn the STARS for their program. Only though if they go through the licensing process. It seems like they would have to though.

I do think its going to be an interesting process and its just amazing how I have seen so many changes in this industry in the last 20 years.
We have the STARS program, and hate it. Any of the daycares in our area with higher star ratings are actually not the highest quality programs. The STAR system is all about paper work and not implementation. Also, most daycares get higher star ratings so that they can have a higher reimbursement rate for state subsidy. You also have to take state subsidy to get to any level higher than "1 star".

Therefore the daycares with more than 1 star are made up of mostly state subsidy clients (and those are the parents who tell me have the hardest time finding childcare). We have had 3 clients who qualify for state subsidy, but would never take their child to a daycare that accepts it - because of the quality of care.

** I should note that some nice daycares accept state subsidy, but keep their number of subsidy clients to the minimum amount required. So those spots are hardly ever available. I am referring to daycares that exclusively take state subsidy clients.
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MyAngels 07:09 AM 02-28-2013
My state does it, but I looked up my county and there are only 3 home daycares with any stars. They are all 3 NAFCC accredited and they only got 3 out of 4 stars.

There are 3 counties that border mine and none of them have a single home daycare with any star rating.

I don't think I'll have to worry about it for awhile
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snbauser 07:13 AM 02-28-2013
Already been here for at least the 6 years I have been here.
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Oneluckymom 07:56 AM 02-28-2013
So far nothing in California.
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Country Kids 08:20 AM 02-28-2013
Originally Posted by Oneluckymom:
So far nothing in California.
Interesting!!! They were talking about some stuff that was going on with Ca. with it.

Maybe just not in your area?

I was getting frustrated because I have learned alot on here about the STARS program and some of the things they were saying just didn't make sense. They also seemed to be getting frustrated with my questions because they seemed like they didn't like me knowing so much about it.

It was also said that no name has been chosen and some big committee was working on it. Nothing was said about the "meeting" Lucy went to and received $50 for. I'm still tempted to ask about it though because I don't like feeling like they don't want us knowing the "whole" picture.
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Heidi 08:23 AM 02-28-2013
Originally Posted by Country Kids:
Interesting!!! They were talking about some stuff that was going on with Ca. with it.

Maybe just not in your area?

I was getting frustrated because I have learned alot on here about the STARS program and some of the things they were saying just didn't make sense. They also seemed to be getting frustrated with my questions because they seemed like they didn't like me knowing so much about it.

It was also said that no name has been chosen and some big committee was working on it. Nothing was said about the "meeting" Lucy went to and received $50 for. I'm still tempted to ask about it though because I don't like feeling like they don't want us knowing the "whole" picture.
That's because THEY don't know yet. They hate looking stupid, but it's a work in progress, and will be "tweaked" about a million times over the next 5 or 6 years, then get dropped.
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snbauser 08:26 AM 02-28-2013
Originally Posted by Country Kids:
I was getting frustrated because I have learned alot on here about the STARS program and some of the things they were saying just didn't make sense. They also seemed to be getting frustrated with my questions because they seemed like they didn't like me knowing so much about it.

It was also said that no name has been chosen and some big committee was working on it. Nothing was said about the "meeting" Lucy went to and received $50 for. I'm still tempted to ask about it though because I don't like feeling like they don't want us knowing the "whole" picture.
Typical of these things. They don't want you questioning what they are doing until they have made up their minds of how they want it to work. Otherwise you might bring up something they don't know the answer to yet or something that makes all of them look dumb because they didn't think of it.
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DCMom 08:49 AM 02-28-2013
It's called Parent Aware here.

Eventually every state will call it Universal Pre-K; all these different programs are just the framework of the bigger picture. And the powers that be get really defensive when you call it that
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slpender 09:02 AM 02-28-2013
We have it in Florida but licensing has nothing to do with it. It is done through our local early learning coalition and they only handle state sub. kids and the voluntary prek so I don't have to deal with it.
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Country Kids 09:21 AM 02-28-2013
I find it interesting it has been going for 10-15 years (true fact) and we still have to do pilot projects for each state. If it has worked that long for states why not use their programs.

Answer: Each state is different (yet its all about quality childcare). So in my eyes each state has a different idea of quality childcare-interesting. Reminds me sooooooooo much of the food program-federally funded but different for each state.

They bring this on board, get everyone ramped up, but seem frustrated when people ask questions, people seem to actually know something about it.

Answer: They had it thrown in their laps and told to do it. Our coaches are being trained to do it during the time our coaches are training us. Doesn't it seem everyone that is training should be trained before they start training others?

The speakers seem to forget that we have 3 different aspects of childcare for our state. What appllies to centers will not apply to me, yet they talk like its all one area.

Answer: Instead of training everyone at once, train all family chilcares and see what works, then work up to the next two levels. Don't be trying to train everyone at once and not even knowing what work and what doesn't.

Revisions have already been done and we haven't started! This worries me, as I'm thinking we could be 1/2 way done with this and they are going to switch it up again because the first 6 months didn't work out. Oh, by the way this will be implemented for our state in 2014 (summer) and we haven't even started the pilot program. Oh, yes our one trainer may have up to 50 people to try and be training.

Oh, yes I will probably be disappearing as there is no "personal" media time (facebook, tv, computor, nooks,ipads,etc) during childcare hours. I think this is really going to really back fire as they even meant naptime. The lady couldn't believe I was asking for clarification on this and it was commented, "during nap you need to be there watching the children!"
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nanglgrl 11:53 AM 02-28-2013
I've been star rated for at least 6 years and I'm in Iowa. I don't know if I started when the program was first implemented here or later but it's really not a big deal. I'm working on my 3rd star and it's not difficult. It's all little things that take time to do like having the nurse consultant come over and run through a safety checklist of your space is worth one point, fixing some of the problems listed is another point and fixing all of the problems is another point. I just had that done a few weeks ago and got all 3 points at once because I had nothing to fix. I have an appointment next week for her to come and go over all of my files and it will work the same way. We have to earn a certain amount of points for each star and they have be a combination of every category.
I wish we were paid more by state subsidy by being star rated but we aren't. If Iowa implemented that it would probably be that star rated received the current subsidy payment (which is low) and non star rated received less.
At this point parent's don't care about, and most don't even know about the program here. I do it because I feel the need to set myself apart from other daycares as much as possible. It seems this field is becoming more competitive and I have to change with the times if I want to stay open.
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snbauser 12:13 PM 02-28-2013
I think it is very interesting to read how the STAR rating is so different for each state. It would really be nice if they came up with something that was a little more universal though.
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Springdaze 01:02 PM 02-28-2013
as far as i know, nj doesnt have one. might be wrong though. i wouldnt mind if it was truely obtainable and didnt cost a lot.
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MarinaVanessa 01:35 PM 02-28-2013
Originally Posted by Country Kids:
Interesting!!! They were talking about some stuff that was going on with Ca. with it.

Maybe just not in your area?
No nothing in CA yet, they are only in the pilot testing program for daycare centers and aren't sure if they will consider it for family child care or not. I am in touch with my area's coordinator and they are calling it the QRIS program here (Quality Rating and Improvement Program).

One of my concerns is that it turn out to be much like what other provider's have experienced in their states:
1) state claiming that the program is optional but works against you if you choose not to participate
2) state offering incentives to families that choose provider's that participate either by
a) state giving families financial incentives (direct checks to them)
b) state sending check to provider as partial payment for a family that chooses a provider in the program and then the state taking a portion of it as payment for dues for their state's family child care union even if the provider doesn't want to participate in the union
3) no clear/concrete guidelines as to what is expected in order to be rated (much how like licensing regulations are based on interpretation)
4) high score requirements (4 or 5 stars out 5 stars) include achieving a college degree which is extremely difficult for family child care provider's to obtain due to time and financial restraints.
5) high score requirements based on the amount of space you have much like how the FCCERS won't allow a score higher than 3 (out of 7) in "Active physical play" unless you have an average size yard and no more than a 5 if you don't have at least 2 types of play surfaces (family child care providers that live in an apartment without a patio or deck cannot get higher than a 3).

I also have a concern about what a couple child care providers here are saying about how the state claims that the program is optional and separate from the family child care union (which they also claim is optional) but if you participate in the QRIS program and as a provider you receive funding incentives from joining the program or accept subsidized child care then you are automatically enlisted into the union and are forced to have payment for union dues deducted from your payments.
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Blackcat31 01:45 PM 02-28-2013
Originally Posted by MarinaVanessa:
No nothing in CA yet, they are only in the pilot testing program for daycare centers and aren't sure if they will consider it for family child care or not. I am in touch with my area's coordinator and they are calling it the QRIS program here (Quality Rating and Improvement Program).

One of my concerns is that it turn out to be much like what other provider's have experienced in their states:
1) state claiming that the program is optional but works against you if you choose not to participate
2) state offering incentives to families that choose provider's that participate either by
a) state giving families financial incentives (direct checks to them)
b) state sending check to provider as partial payment for a family that chooses a provider in the program and then the state taking a portion of it as payment for dues for their state's family child care union even if the provider doesn't want to participate in the union
3) no clear/concrete guidelines as to what is expected in order to be rated (much how like licensing regulations are based on interpretation)
4) high score requirements (4 or 5 stars out 5 stars) include achieving a college degree which is extremely difficult for family child care provider's to obtain due to time and financial restraints.
5) high score requirements based on the amount of space you have much like how the FCCERS won't allow a score higher than 3 (out of 7) in "Active physical play" unless you have an average size yard and no more than a 5 if you don't have at least 2 types of play surfaces (family child care providers that live in an apartment without a patio or deck cannot get higher than a 3).

I also have a concern about what a couple child care providers here are saying about how the state claims that the program is optional and separate from the family child care union (which they also claim is optional) but if you participate in the QRIS program and as a provider you receive funding incentives from joining the program or accept subsidized child care then you are automatically enlisted into the union and are forced to have payment for union dues deducted from your payments.
I have the info for L.A county if you are interested. I believe it is only in the pilot phase but don't know for sure as I haven't read any of the info really indepthly.
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MarinaVanessa 02:20 PM 02-28-2013
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
I have the info for L.A county if you are interested. I believe it is only in the pilot phase but don't know for sure as I haven't read any of the info really indepthly.
I'll take whatever you can give me. Crystal had given me the main contact numbers for the area specialists and that's how I got a hold of the person in charge of my area. She told me that the CA program had just started the pilot program and that after the results of the pilot they would determine whether or not to implement (3 year pilot). As for family child care she hadn't heard yet from Sacramento whether they would open up the QRIS program to FCC, if you have something that says otherwise I'd LOVE LOVE LOVE it.

I'm all over this issue like white on rice. I originally called her to see if I could be placed on the pilot program, I want to try it before I buy it .
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Crystal 02:29 PM 02-28-2013
Originally Posted by MarinaVanessa:
I'll take whatever you can give me. Crystal had given me the main contact numbers for the area specialists and that's how I got a hold of the person in charge of my area. She told me that the CA program had just started the pilot program and that after the results of the pilot they would determine whether or not to implement (3 year pilot). As for family child care she hadn't heard yet from Sacramento whether they would open up the QRIS program to FCC, if you have something that says otherwise I'd LOVE LOVE LOVE it.

I'm all over this issue like white on rice. I originally called her to see if I could be placed on the pilot program, I want to try it before I buy it .
I am in it. Just got the letter last week. So many were interested in it that we have a waitlist. I was fortunate enough to be chosen to participate. They are starting with consulting with us, and they are offering college classes for free, including text books. Classes are at the local college but are not offered to anyone other than those in the QRIS and all classes are offered in the evening to accomodate provider schedules. There is absolutely NOTHING that requires us to participate in a union, take state subsidized children, etc. Each county will make their own rules and it is only in 9 counties to date. I, for one, am VERY excited about it.
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snbauser 03:08 PM 02-28-2013
Originally Posted by Country Kids:
Oh, yes I will probably be disappearing as there is no "personal" media time (facebook, tv, computor, nooks,ipads,etc) during childcare hours. I think this is really going to really back fire as they even meant naptime. The lady couldn't believe I was asking for clarification on this and it was commented, "during nap you need to be there watching the children!"
This is actually a licensing regulation here. We aren't supposed to do anything on the computer, reading, etc. while the kids are sleeping. We are supposed to sit here and watch them sleep.
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Blackcat31 03:19 PM 02-28-2013
Originally Posted by MarinaVanessa:
I'll take whatever you can give me. Crystal had given me the main contact numbers for the area specialists and that's how I got a hold of the person in charge of my area. She told me that the CA program had just started the pilot program and that after the results of the pilot they would determine whether or not to implement (3 year pilot). As for family child care she hadn't heard yet from Sacramento whether they would open up the QRIS program to FCC, if you have something that says otherwise I'd LOVE LOVE LOVE it.

I'm all over this issue like white on rice. I originally called her to see if I could be placed on the pilot program, I want to try it before I buy it .
I sent you the info I have
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MarinaVanessa 04:19 PM 02-28-2013
Originally Posted by Crystal:
I am in it. Just got the letter last week. So many were interested in it that we have a waitlist. I was fortunate enough to be chosen to participate. They are starting with consulting with us, and they are offering college classes for free, including text books. Classes are at the local college but are not offered to anyone other than those in the QRIS and all classes are offered in the evening to accomodate provider schedules. There is absolutely NOTHING that requires us to participate in a union, take state subsidized children, etc. Each county will make their own rules and it is only in 9 counties to date. I, for one, am VERY excited about it.
Yes I remember you mentioning this to me before when you gave me the information to the program in CA. From what the director in my area told me (she could just be misinformed) she told me that the program in CA is only in the pilot program in certain counties but that it is in no way going to be statewide yet. She said that they are testing the program and getting feedback from the participants in order to create a good program for when it does go statewide. In my area only the centers are being used for the pilot program. No word yet on FCC.

Like you, I am excited too and think that if done correctly the QRIS program will be an amazing thing to have and be able to be a part of. I think that if they provided incentives for the providers as well as the families that choose QRIS rated child care (as they seem to be doing in Sacramento), they have different criteria for centers than they do FCC (as in they take into account that center employees have a better chance of continuing their education and having the center work around their schedule, and FCC has less $$$ to throw around for improvements etc), a college degree isn't a requirement that will make it impossible for a FCC provider to rate a high overall score (I have taken all of the available evening and internet college courses that I am able to take and still need more classes to get an AA in child development which are all only available during the day so I can't take them) etc then I think that overall there will be a positive response from FCC providers in CA.

According to the link that BlackCat gave me some centers/FCCs got their ratings as long as back in 2007 which means that LA County has been doing it for a while. From what I read they also offer up to $5,000 in incentives to improve your program and this is also offered to both centers and FCC. This would totally be an incentive worthwhile for any provider (in my opinion) to get them to at least try out the QRIS program. I so wish I could be a part of this.
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EAP 04:22 PM 02-28-2013
Originally Posted by snbauser:
This is actually a licensing regulation here. We aren't supposed to do anything on the computer, reading, etc. while the kids are sleeping. We are supposed to sit here and watch them sleep.
Is that new? I thought we have to be able to hear them if they are asleep but not visually supervising. You also can't have any closed doors between you and the children who are napping.
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HomeMADE 07:47 PM 02-28-2013
Yep, TN has it also. You can't get any stars here until you have been open for 1 year.
It is a lot of red tape and paperwork. Some of the things seem to only apply to a daycare center.
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