Stay in the Loop with GSQ's Continuous Quality Improvement Newsletter | |
- New Licensing Rules Training Survey
- GSQ Quality Connection
- Meet the Team
- Indicator Spotlight
- On-Site Observation Tips
- Professional Development
- Like and Follow!
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What's New?
The latest news to help support your program
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Child Care Family and Group Home
New Rules Training Needs Survey
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As MiLEAP prepares for the adoption of the new Child Care Home Rules, they are gathering input from home providers across the state.
Please take a few minutes to complete their survey. Your responses will guide them in developing training opportunities that are useful, accessible, and supportive, and will help MiLEAP to best meet your needs when the new rules take effect.
To view the draft home licensing rules, click here. And for other helpful resources, visit MiLEAP’s website here.
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The February GSQ Quality Connection will include opportunities for ongoing provider feedback, system tips, and a chance to meet one of the GSQ Validators. Join us for collaborative dialogue and learning!
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The Great Start to Quality team continues to grow to better support child care programs across Michigan. Each member of the Validation and Assessment teams at the Early Childhood Investment Corporation has a background in Early Childhood Education and is here to support your program through the Quality Improvement Process.
Wondering what Validators and Assessors do? Our guide below can help!
An earlier version of this chart was sent with Assessor and Validator titles switched. Please see our corrected version below for an accurate understanding of our team’s roles! You can learn more about our team on our website.
| | | Validators | Assessors | | Maintain reliability on the Great Start to Quality Indicators | Maintain reliability in GSQ observation tools through yearly or bi-yearly testing
| | Review evidence uploaded to the Self-Reflection | Communicate with programs about upcoming On-Site Observation by email
| | Review Quality Improvement Plans and Goals | Conduct On-Site Observations statewide using CLASS®, ERS, and SEL-PQA
| | Conduct Validation phone calls | Review observation notes and compile program scores
| | Write Validation Reports | Write On-Site Observation Reports and Coach Notes
| | Answer questions about evidence and indicators | Answer questions about On-Site Observation for Coaches
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CIL2: Program provides families a description about oral care routines for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-agers.
Tooth decay is the most common childhood disease, but it is also entirely preventable. Not all children have access to and opportunities to participate in a daily oral care routine. Having a daily oral care routine supports the health of the child (by providing preventative care) and reinforces the importance of an oral care routine. Including oral care practices in programs and sharing oral care information with families may help improve oral health and reduce disparities at a young age.
To support oral care routines, programs could:
- Provide information to families about oral care – this could be resources and information about local dentists and dental clinics, articles, or even toothbrushes and toothpaste
- Include oral care into the daily schedule – update your schedule so families, children, and schoo-lagers know this is a part of the routine
- Implement an oral care routine – make sure the routine supports toothbrushing and gum wiping for infants
- Learn more about oral care through training – knowledge is power! Helping staff understand the importance of oral care can help them implement routines and encourage oral care with children, school-agers, and families
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Implement an oral care curriculum - Do you know about Brush Resources and Training? They even have funding support!
This indicator requires that the program has a written description in place about oral care routines for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-agers. This could be a policy, statement, plan, or something else.
For example, the description may include things the program is using or doing to support understanding like:
- Oral care routine procedures and practices in the program
- The importance of oral care routines for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-agers
- Participation with a dental care business and how this supports oral care routines for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-agers
The sky is the limit when it comes to the description, so tailor it to best meet your program and the families you serve.
For more information about this indicator, review the Quality Indicators Guidance Document.
If you have questions, please contact validation@ecic4kids.org.
| | Discovering Winter Together | | As winter continues in Michigan, children continually notice new sights and sensations such as cold air, frosty grass, and long shadows. Educators can build language and connections by commenting on what children notice: “The air feels cold on our noses,” or “Listen to the crunch under your boots.” Indoors, sunlight and shadows invite simple investigation, and teachers could extend thinking with prompts like, “What happens to your shadow when you move closer to the window?” Calm routines also offer warm interactions through gentle narration; “You’re watching snow drift down,” or “The water feels warm on your hands.” Simple materials such as pinecones, smooth stones, or scarves encourage sensory exploration, and educators can support learning by describing differences; “This pinecone is bumpy; the stone is smooth.” These small moments reflect strong CLASS and ERS practices and help children experience winter through exploration and connection. | | MAC Annual Conference Registration Now Open | | |
Registration is officially open for the 2026 MAC Annual Conference, happening February 26–27 at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi. This year’s theme, Belonging by Design, Thriving Together, centers youth-driven practice, intentional program design, and the relationships that strengthen out-of-school time across Michigan. Join OST professionals, young leaders, partners, and advocates from across the state for two days of learning, connection, and bold action shaping the future of afterschool.
Register by February 13 to secure your spot and be part of Michigan’s statewide OST community coming together to build belonging and drive impact.
| | 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. | | | | |
If you are thinking about how to maintain or continue making quality improvements, or if you're ready to learn more and need help, contact your local Great Start to Quality Resource Center by calling 877-614-7328 or visit www.greatstarttoquality.org
This newsletter was developed under a grant awarded by the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential using Child Care Development Funds (CCDF).
| | Follow Us on Social Media! | | The Early Childhood Investment Corporation is responsible for the day-to-day implementation of Great Start to Quality www.ecic4kids.org | | | | | |
