MONTGOMERY – The Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) is about to begin statewide implementation of the Alabama Quality STARS Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) for child care. Alabama Quality STARS is a five star building block system that rates child care center quality above the state minimum licensing requirements.
Alabama Quality STARS, a collaboration between DHR and The University of Alabama, is part of a national systematic approach to assess, improve, and communicate the level of quality in early care and education programs.
“Our new Quality STARS rating system gives child care centers an opportunity to show that they provide top quality care to
DHR Commissioner Nancy Buckner
the children they serve,” said DHR Commissioner Nancy Buckner. “It also provides a simple, but effective, way for parents to choose a child care center that rises above the minimum standards that licensing requires.”
Centers that participate in Alabama Quality STARS will receive between one and five stars based on STARS Standards in the areas of Staff Qualifications and Professional Development, Management and Administrative Practices, Learning Environment and Curriculum, and Family Involvement and Community Partnerships. Resources will be available and have been specifically designed to help center staff understand how to meet the STARS Standards.
Eligible programs will be invited to register for one of eight upcoming orientation sessions to be held in multiple locations throughout the state. An orientation session must be attended if a center plans to apply for participation in Alabama Quality STARS.
Media Release/Alabama Department of Hunam Resources
