{"id":86,"date":"2018-04-13T19:28:51","date_gmt":"2018-04-13T19:28:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ccccontent.azurewebsites.net\/?page_id=86"},"modified":"2025-11-03T17:40:08","modified_gmt":"2025-11-03T17:40:08","slug":"quality-rating-and-improvement-system","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.childcarechoices.me\/index.php\/quality-rating-and-improvement-system\/","title":{"rendered":"Quality Rating and Improvement System"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;Hero&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; background_color=&#8221;#fa97b4&#8243; use_background_color_gradient=&#8221;on&#8221; background_color_gradient_direction=&#8221;102deg&#8221; background_color_gradient_stops=&#8221;#0a8c9b 0%|#0a8c9b 100%&#8221; background_color_gradient_start=&#8221;#0a8c9b&#8221; background_color_gradient_end=&#8221;#0a8c9b&#8221; background_blend=&#8221;screen&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;22px||106px||false|false&#8221; bottom_divider_style=&#8221;wave2&#8243; bottom_divider_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; bottom_divider_height=&#8221;150px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;50px|0px|27px|0px|false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Title &#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; text_font=&#8221;Nunito||||||||&#8221; text_font_size=&#8221;18px&#8221; text_line_height=&#8221;1.8em&#8221; header_font=&#8221;Fredoka One||||||||&#8221; header_font_size=&#8221;52px&#8221; header_line_height=&#8221;1.3em&#8221; text_orientation=&#8221;center&#8221; background_layout=&#8221;dark&#8221; max_width=&#8221;700px&#8221; module_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||10px|&#8221; animation_style=&#8221;fade&#8221; inline_fonts=&#8221;PT Sans,PT Serif,Raleway&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h1><strong><span style=\"font-family: 'PT Sans';\">Quality Rating and Improvement System<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'PT Serif'; font-weight: normal; font-size: x-large;\">As a parent, you know the importance of selecting the best<br \/>child care for your child and your family.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; next_background_color=&#8221;#a5b43b&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Services&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.4&#8243; background_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; background_color_gradient_direction=&#8221;99deg&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_blend=&#8221;overlay&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0||42px||false|false&#8221; top_divider_style=&#8221;wave&#8221; top_divider_color=&#8221;rgba(0,0,0,0)&#8221; top_divider_height=&#8221;106px&#8221; bottom_divider_style=&#8221;wave2&#8243; bottom_divider_height=&#8221;59px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;1_2,1_4,1_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_margin=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; header_font=&#8221;Raleway||||||||&#8221; header_2_font=&#8221;Fredoka One||||||||&#8221; header_2_text_color=&#8221;#262f71&#8243; header_2_font_size=&#8221;46px&#8221; header_2_line_height=&#8221;1.3em&#8221; animation_style=&#8221;slide&#8221; animation_direction=&#8221;top&#8221; animation_intensity_slide=&#8221;5%&#8221; animation_starting_opacity=&#8221;100%&#8221; inline_fonts=&#8221;PT Sans&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-family: 'PT Sans'; font-weight: normal;\">Rising Stars for ME<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=&#8221;#a5b43b&#8221; divider_weight=&#8221;4px&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; max_width=&#8221;60px&#8221; max_width_tablet=&#8221;13%&#8221; max_width_last_edited=&#8221;off|desktop&#8221; height=&#8221;4px&#8221; animation_style=&#8221;slide&#8221; animation_direction=&#8221;top&#8221; animation_intensity_slide=&#8221;5%&#8221; animation_starting_opacity=&#8221;100%&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<br \/>\n[\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.4&#8243; text_font=&#8221;Nunito||||||||&#8221; text_font_size=&#8221;18px&#8221; text_line_height=&#8221;1.8em&#8221; animation_style=&#8221;slide&#8221; animation_direction=&#8221;top&#8221; animation_intensity_slide=&#8221;5%&#8221; animation_starting_opacity=&#8221;100%&#8221; inline_fonts=&#8221;PT Serif&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Raleway; font-weight: normal; color: #000000;\"><em>Rising Stars for ME<\/em> is a mandatory program for all licensed child care programs in Maine. License exempt, non-relative providers also participate in <em>Rising Stars for ME<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Raleway; font-weight: normal; color: #000000;\"><em>Rising Stars for ME<\/em> has three goals:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Raleway; font-weight: normal; color: #000000;\">To recognize early childhood and out-of-school time programs that meet standards of evidence-based quality practices. <\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Raleway; font-weight: normal; color: #000000;\">To encourage and support programs to engage in continuous quality improvement efforts. <\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Raleway; font-weight: normal; color: #000000;\">To provide families with identifiable standards of quality.<\/span><br \/><span style=\"font-family: Raleway; font-weight: normal; color: #000000;\"><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Raleway; font-weight: normal; color: #000000;\"><em>Rising Stars for ME<\/em> is important because we all care and want what is best for Maine&#8217;s children. 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border_radii_image=&#8221;on|100%|100%|100%|100%&#8221; box_shadow_style=&#8221;preset3&#8243; box_shadow_color=&#8221;rgba(255,255,255,0.3)&#8221; box_shadow_horizontal_image_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_vertical_image_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_blur_image_tablet=&#8221;40px&#8221; box_shadow_spread_image_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; use_circle=&#8221;on&#8221; circle_color=&#8221;#fbd430&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; image_icon_background_color__sticky_enabled=&#8221;#7EBEC5&#8243; image_icon_background_color__sticky=&#8221;#7EBEC5&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p>+ License exempt, non-relative providers receiving Child Care Affordability Program (CCAP) funding.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_5&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; 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z_index_tablet=&#8221;0&#8243; header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; border_color_all=&#8221;rgba(51,51,51,0)&#8221; border_radii_image=&#8221;on|100%|100%|100%|100%&#8221; box_shadow_style=&#8221;preset3&#8243; box_shadow_color=&#8221;rgba(255,255,255,0.3)&#8221; box_shadow_horizontal_image_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_vertical_image_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_blur_image_tablet=&#8221;40px&#8221; box_shadow_spread_image_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; use_circle=&#8221;on&#8221; circle_color=&#8221;#fbd430&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; image_icon_background_color__sticky_enabled=&#8221;#7EBEC5&#8243; image_icon_background_color__sticky=&#8221;#7EBEC5&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p>+ Licensed child care programs earn a Star 2.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Star 2 &#8211; Restricted<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>+ A Star 2 Restricted Rating means a licensed Program that falls below a Star 2 Rating due to having a Conditional License. The Restricted rating is for the duration of the Conditional License.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_5&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_blurb title=&#8221;Star 3&#8243; use_icon=&#8221;on&#8221; font_icon=&#8221;&#xe031;||divi||400&#8243; icon_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; image_icon_background_color=&#8221;#fbd430&#8243; image_icon_width=&#8221;48px&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; header_level=&#8221;h3&#8243; header_font=&#8221;Raleway|600||on|||||&#8221; header_text_align=&#8221;center&#8221; header_font_size=&#8221;30px&#8221; header_letter_spacing=&#8221;1px&#8221; header_line_height=&#8221;1.2em&#8221; body_font=&#8221;Raleway|500|||||||&#8221; body_text_align=&#8221;center&#8221; body_font_size=&#8221;15px&#8221; body_line_height=&#8221;1.8em&#8221; background_color=&#8221;rgba(0,0,0,0.14)&#8221; image_icon_custom_padding=&#8221;25px|25px|25px|25px|false|false&#8221; text_orientation=&#8221;center&#8221; background_layout=&#8221;dark&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;25px||25px|&#8221; border_color_all=&#8221;rgba(51,51,51,0)&#8221; border_radii_image=&#8221;on|100%|100%|100%|100%&#8221; box_shadow_style=&#8221;preset3&#8243; box_shadow_color=&#8221;rgba(255,255,255,0.3)&#8221; use_circle=&#8221;on&#8221; circle_color=&#8221;#fbd430&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; image_icon_background_color__sticky_enabled=&#8221;#7EBEC5&#8243; image_icon_background_color__sticky=&#8221;#7EBEC5&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p>Licensed child care programs can earn a Star 3 by:<\/p>\n<p>+ Showing an understanding of child development.<\/p>\n<p>+ Planning a daily schedule and activities that support children\u2019s development.<\/p>\n<p>+ Having toys and equipment that are appropriate for learning and fun for the children.<\/p>\n<p>+ Supporting families to avoid suspending or expelling children.<\/p>\n<p>+ Completing training on Maine\u2019s early learning standards.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px;\">+ <\/span>Allowing babies and toddlers to follow their own routines.<\/p>\n<p>+ Using family and staff feedback to improve the program.<\/p>\n<p>+ Meeting higher staff qualifications than required by licensing.<\/p>\n<p>+ Supporting staff in their professional development.<\/p>\n<p>+ Providing regular communication to families.<\/p>\n<p>+ Completing individual child assessments at least once per year.<\/p>\n<p>+ Setting a yearly goal related to physical activity and\/or nutrition.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_5&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_blurb title=&#8221;Star 4&#8243; use_icon=&#8221;on&#8221; font_icon=&#8221;&#xe031;||divi||400&#8243; icon_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; image_icon_background_color=&#8221;#fbd430&#8243; image_icon_width=&#8221;48px&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; header_level=&#8221;h3&#8243; header_font=&#8221;Raleway|600||on|||||&#8221; header_text_align=&#8221;center&#8221; header_font_size=&#8221;30px&#8221; header_letter_spacing=&#8221;1px&#8221; header_line_height=&#8221;1.2em&#8221; body_font=&#8221;Raleway|500|||||||&#8221; body_text_align=&#8221;center&#8221; body_font_size=&#8221;15px&#8221; body_line_height=&#8221;1.8em&#8221; background_color=&#8221;rgba(0,0,0,0.14)&#8221; image_icon_custom_padding=&#8221;25px|25px|25px|25px|false|false&#8221; text_orientation=&#8221;center&#8221; background_layout=&#8221;dark&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;25px||25px|&#8221; border_color_all=&#8221;rgba(51,51,51,0)&#8221; border_radii_image=&#8221;on|100%|100%|100%|100%&#8221; box_shadow_style=&#8221;preset3&#8243; box_shadow_color=&#8221;rgba(255,255,255,0.3)&#8221; use_circle=&#8221;on&#8221; circle_color=&#8221;#fbd430&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; image_icon_background_color__sticky_enabled=&#8221;#7EBEC5&#8243; image_icon_background_color__sticky=&#8221;#7EBEC5&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p>Licensed child care programs can earn a Star 4 by:\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>+ Meeting all requirements for Star 3.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0+ Following an evidence-based method of curriculum development.<\/p>\n<p>+ Promoting positive social and emotional development.<\/p>\n<p>+ Using national accreditation standards to complete an annual self-assessment.<\/p>\n<p>+ Meeting higher staff qualifications.<\/p>\n<p>+ Providing additional benefits to staff. (if applicable).<\/p>\n<p>+ Offering families conferences each year.<\/p>\n<p>+ Working with families to support children with IFSPs or IEPs.<\/p>\n<p>+ Completing individual child assessments at least twice per year.<\/p>\n<p>+ Setting two yearly goals related to physical activity and\/or nutrition.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_5&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_blurb title=&#8221;Star 5&#8243; use_icon=&#8221;on&#8221; font_icon=&#8221;&#xe031;||divi||400&#8243; icon_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; image_icon_background_color=&#8221;#fbd430&#8243; image_icon_width=&#8221;48px&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.2&#8243; header_level=&#8221;h3&#8243; header_font=&#8221;Raleway|600||on|||||&#8221; header_text_align=&#8221;center&#8221; header_font_size=&#8221;30px&#8221; header_letter_spacing=&#8221;1px&#8221; header_line_height=&#8221;1.2em&#8221; body_font=&#8221;Raleway|500|||||||&#8221; body_text_align=&#8221;center&#8221; body_font_size=&#8221;15px&#8221; body_line_height=&#8221;1.8em&#8221; background_color=&#8221;rgba(0,0,0,0.14)&#8221; image_icon_custom_padding=&#8221;25px|25px|25px|25px|false|false&#8221; vertical_offset_tablet=&#8221;0&#8243; horizontal_offset_tablet=&#8221;0&#8243; text_orientation=&#8221;center&#8221; background_layout=&#8221;dark&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;25px||25px|&#8221; z_index_tablet=&#8221;0&#8243; header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; border_color_all=&#8221;rgba(51,51,51,0)&#8221; border_radii_image=&#8221;on|100%|100%|100%|100%&#8221; box_shadow_style=&#8221;preset3&#8243; box_shadow_color=&#8221;rgba(255,255,255,0.3)&#8221; box_shadow_horizontal_image_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_vertical_image_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_blur_image_tablet=&#8221;40px&#8221; box_shadow_spread_image_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; use_circle=&#8221;on&#8221; circle_color=&#8221;#fbd430&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; image_icon_background_color__sticky_enabled=&#8221;#7EBEC5&#8243; image_icon_background_color__sticky=&#8221;#7EBEC5&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p>Licensed child care programs can earn a Star 5 by:\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>+ Meeting all requirements for Star 4.<\/p>\n<p>+ Being nationally accredited.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;Sign Up&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; background_color=&#8221;#fbd430&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_blend=&#8221;soft-light&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;11px|0px|5px|0px|false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;2_3,1_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;0|0px|21px|0px|false|false&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;2_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; text_font=&#8221;|600|||||||&#8221; header_font=&#8221;||||||||&#8221; header_2_font=&#8221;Raleway|500||on|||||&#8221; header_2_text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; header_2_text_color=&#8221;#392b69&#8243; header_2_font_size=&#8221;30px&#8221; header_2_line_height=&#8221;1.3em&#8221; animation_style=&#8221;slide&#8221; animation_direction=&#8221;top&#8221; animation_intensity_slide=&#8221;5%&#8221; animation_starting_opacity=&#8221;100%&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Double Child Care Tax Credits<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_3&#8243; 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