What is QRIS?
Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) is a rating or stars system to raise standards. The QRIS Program known in Monterey County as “Quality Matters” seeks to improve the quality of early care and education by providing
parents with a transparent, easy-to-understand rating of child care quality. The QRIS ratings will help parents make more informed choices, increase demand for quality, and providers receive incentives for improving the quality.
As consumers, we may check the ratings prior to selecting a hotel or restaurant. Quality Matters Monterey County, QRIS program provides that same service for parents looking at early care and education services for their child. Quality Matters Monterey County is part of an effort to raise standards in early care and education in Monterey County. Quality impacts the child’s growth and developmental outcomes.
As parents, we are well aware that quality and educational content in early childhood education varies, and finding quality care and education information is challenging to find. Parents can ask questions, but most of the time they rely on other parent’s recommendations, word of mouth, and online reviews.
Quality Matters Monterey County has 46 licensed child care programs piloting the Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS), a method to assess, improve, and identify quality child care. The participating sites will have their rating published by October 15, 2017.
Additional Resources to Learn More About Quality Matters.
The following clips build awareness on the importance of Quality Rating Improvement Systems
Long Story Short: How Can Early Childhood Education
Quality Ratings Affect Investments in Children?
Lessons From Abroad: Ensuring High-Quality
Early Care and Education in the U.S.
