Delaware Stars for Early Success
Reaching for Quality Early Care and Education

Delaware Stars is currently accepting applications for 2008.

Standards, Forms, and Program Guides for:

Delaware Stars Program Updates:

Delaware Stars Reports:

Phase 1: Testing the System  

What is a Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS)?

A Quality Rating and Improvement System is a method used to assess, improve, and communicate the level of quality in early care and education settings. Quality Rating and Improvement Systems address multiple aspects of early care and education through a uniform approach throughout the state. A QRIS establishes quality standards for early childhood programs. A Quality Rating and Improvement System is part of a state’s broader quality improvement effort.

Why Focus on Quality?

Quality matters. Research tells us that high quality early care and education makes a difference in the critical early learning years and beyond. High quality programs provide developmentally appropriate experiences that positively impact young children’s learning and school readiness. Supportive interactions with the adults who work in early childhood programs enhance young children’s social emotional development. However, the Delaware Early Care and Education Baseline Quality Study raises questions about the quality of the state’s early childhood programs. So, we need to focus on improving the quality of early care and education in Delaware to support the development and learning of the state’s young children. Early Success: Delaware’s Early Childhood Plan supports children’s school readiness. “Ready Early Care and Education” is one component of this plan and includes a strategy to increase the quality in early care and education programs.

Delaware Has Been Working to Establish a Quality Rating and Improvement System

In 2001 the Governor established the Delaware Early Care and Education Council (DECEC), charging the Council with oversight responsibility for Delaware’s plan for early care and education: Early Success. In 2003 DECEC decided that Delaware would join other states and become involved in the process of designing a Quality Rating and Improvement System. DECEC, through the Department of Education, contracted with The Family & Workplace Connection (FWC) to facilitate a state-wide committee to develop the standards for Delaware’s QRIS. In August, 2005, after working with members of the early childhood community, FWC delivered a draft of those standards: Delaware Stars for Early Success.

Delaware Stars for Early Success is a five level system. Star Level 1, the lowest level, requires an early childhood program to meet Child Care Licensing Regulations. With each higher Star Level a program is required to meet increasingly higher quality standards in the following categories:

  • Qualifications & Professional Development
  • Learning Environment & Curriculum
  • Family & Community Partnerships
  • Management & Administration

Click Below to Read the Quality Standards:

Delaware Stars is designed as a voluntary system that expects programs to work on improving quality by moving up the Star Levels. Delaware Stars provides technical assistance and limited financial support to programs involved in Stars as they engage in quality improvement efforts.

Recently, we’ve seen increased support for Delaware Stars. In October, 2006 Delaware Stars was on the agenda of the Governor’s Early Childhood Summit. In the same month Vision 2015 was unveiled – a plan for making Delaware’s education system the best in the world. It includes a focus on early care and education and support for Delaware Stars.

Delaware Stars for Early Success: Phase 1

In 2006 the state began implementation of Delaware Stars: Phase 1, which is designed to test the system. Phase 1 is a partnership between the state (Department of Education, Department of Health and Social Services, and Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families), FWC, and United Way of Delaware Success by 6™. As Phase 1 got underway in August, 2006, Delaware Stars established a Work Group to oversee the design and implementation of the system. The group developed vision, mission and goal statements. A small number of programs are participating in Phase 1, helping to test the system. During this period, Delaware Stars will offer information sessions for the early childhood community. As the final step in the Phase 1 process, necessary changes will be made to improve the system.

Where do we go from here?

At the conclusion of Phase 1, the state plans to continue the focus on quality improvement, opening up Delaware Stars for Early Success to interested early care and education programs across the state.

For more information about Delaware Stars for Early Success please call 302-479-1579 or Contact FWC.