Stay in the Loop with GSQ's Continuous Quality Improvement Newsletter

MAY 2024 EDITION

• GSQ's New Program Openings Feature
• Interested in Learning How CLASS Supports Your Program Type?
• GSQ Quality Connection
• Indicator Spotlight: AM4
• On-Site Observation Tips
• Professional Development
• Like and Follow!

GSQ's New Program Openings Feature: Part-Time, Full-Time, and PreK!

Great Start to Quality helps families across Michigan find child care that meets their needs! With PreK for All expanding capacity for 4-year-olds across the state, Great Start to Quality can connect families to the right program for them.  

GSQ’s child care search tool now offers a Program Openings feature, where child care businesses can give up-to-date information about their capacity. On your program’s profile, an “Openings Available” button will now show with the type of openings and the date when the openings were last updated. Families will only see program openings updated within the last 35 days, so update your full-time, part-time, and PreK openings often! 

With any questions about this feature, contact your local GSQ Resource Center at: 1-877-614-7328

Interested in Learning How CLASS Supports Your Program Type?

Do you want to learn more about the CLASS On-Site Observation Tool for your program type? Teachstone has a page dedicated to better understanding CLASS. Whether you are supporting dual language learners, children with disabilities, are a home-based provider, or work in Head Start; Teachstone has support for you and the children in your care. You can access more information about each program type and learn how CLASS supports all children to thrive by visiting Teachstone’s website.

On this page you will be able to locate specific resources by program type to promote effective interactions that will support connections, engagement, and inspire the children in your setting.

GSQ Quality Connection

Licensed providers are invited: join us at the next Quality Connection on Wednesday, June 11 from 6-7 p.m.! ECIC's Great Start to Quality Staff will share updates and information about the quality improvement process.

Indicator Spotlight

AM4: Program has a Business Sustainability Plan

Have you ever wondered what a Business Sustainability Plan is? A Business Sustainability Plan is a written plan showing the various ways the program plans to sustain or grow its business. It could include the program’s plans, goals, steps, or strategies related to things like budget planning, cost reduction strategies, financial reporting, maintaining program services, marketing, and/or staff recruitment and retention.  

This means that historical information, such as an organizational review, financial audit, or budget tracking document, would not meet the intent of the indicator. This is because they show what the program has done previously, not what their plan or intentions are to sustain or grow the business going forward.  

If you have questions, please contact validation@ecic4kids.org.

For more information about this indicator, review the Quality Indicators Guidance Document and Quality Indicators FAQ. 

Need to Change Your Observation Tool? Here's What to Do

Based on program feedback, we recently made an adjustment to support programs with the On-Site Observation process that wish to change their observation tool choice. 

If your program accidentally filled out the On-Site Observation questions form incorrectly, or if you’ve recently completed training and feel a different observation tool would be a better fit, don’t worry — changes can now be made! 

Just contact the Assessor assigned to your program or email assessment@ecic4kids.org. We’ll confirm which tool is currently selected and, if needed, update it before your observation window begins.  

Important: Once the observation window starts for the unannounced visit(s), we are unable to make any changes — so be sure to reach out in writing before the first day of the window. 

As a reminder, programs with at least one classroom funded by GSRP or Head Start must use the CLASS observation tool for every age group/observation on that license.

Assessors and Phones/Watches

There have been some questions about assessors using their phones and/or smart watches during observations. The Assessment team fully understands the perception and the questions! Assessors use their phones and/or smart watches to track time during observations. This could be to time 20-minute CLASS cycles, to time daily activities for ERS, to time transitions, to time the duration of an infant in an exersaucer, etc. Checking phones or watches to note times keeps note-taking objective and accurate. 

Observations are beneficial in that they give programs feedback on things they may not see, because they are always busy and focusing on running their day. Programs have been surprised to learn that, out of a two-hour period, toddlers spent an hour and twenty minutes seated in large and small group activities, to learn an infant stayed in an exersaucer for forty minutes, to learn a transition took twenty-five minutes, etc. Having those concrete times helps give insight to creating future goals or plans.

Questions? Email us: assessment@ecic4kids.org.

FY25 Professional Development Opportunities

Find opportunities for professional development in the coming year from Michigan Afterschool Partnership and Social-Emotional Learning opportunities from MDHHS-MiLEAP!

Post on the GSQ Job Board

Is your program looking for early educators? GSQ can support your program filling staff vacancies to better support children and families. Promote open positions on Great Start to Quality’s job board today!

Great Start to Quality's Family Pages

These social media pages give families resources like tips on finding care, financial assistance, early learning activities, and more. Providers and partners are encouraged to share the pages with the families in your communities.  

Support with public profiles and general information: greatstarttoquality@ecic4kids.org 

Participation with Great Start to Quality: your Resource Center

Connecting employees or connecting with your Validator: validation@ecic4kids.org

Connecting with your Assessor: assessement@ecic4kids.org

Questions about Approved Assessors: approvedassessor@ecic4kids.org 

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