The Star Gazette
In this Edition:
  • Changes to Great Start to Quality Login
  • Transition Timeline for Star Ratings
  • GSQ Revisions Provider Trainings
  • Prenatal to 5 Fiscal Strategies Child Care Provider Input Sessions
  • Individual Membership in MiRegistry and Great Start to Quality
  • Staff Qualification Variances through LARA and Impacts to GSQ
  • Updated Link to the Quality Indicators 
  • CLASS Tip Tuesdays 
  • Practice CLASS Observations
Changes to Great Start to Quality Login
Security improvements are being made to the Great Start to Quality system where families search for care and programs update their public profile. Beginning tomorrow, June 29, users must access their email to authenticate their account when logging in. If you need help creating an account, or accessing an already existing account, please reach out to your Great Start to Quality Resource Center.
Transition Timeline for Star Ratings
As you may have heard, Great Start to Quality is launching a focused Quality Improvement Process in February 2023. To support programs that are currently rated or interested in becoming rated prior to the launch, it is important to understand the transition timeline and prepare to submit the program's Self-Assessment Survey based on the program's goals. Please reach out to your local Great Start to Quality Resource Center with any questions about the timeline and submission dates.
GSQ Revisions Provider Training-TOMORROW!
Want to learn more about revisions to Great Start to Quality? The Early Childhood Investment Corporation is hosting a webinar for programs, providers, and staff to learn about the updates to Great Start to Quality on Wednesday, June 29.

The session will give an overview of the improvements to Great Start to Quality including new On-site Observation tool choices, process improvements, inclusion of schoolagers, and much more. There will be plenty of time for questions as well.
EVENT #110188
Prenatal to 5 Fiscal Strategies Child Care Provider Input Sessions
Child care providers: what does it actually cost to provide high-quality child care in Michigan? Join Prenatal to 5 Fiscal Strategies sessions throughout this month to share your experience as a provider delivering early care and education services. Sessions will inform work, called the Prenatal to Five Comprehensive Fiscal Analysis, which will help policymakers, advocates, and all stakeholders better understand the true cost of providing high-quality child care across Michigan.

Register for the date that works best for you below.
Individual Membership in MiRegistry and Great Start to Quality
The MiRegistry system is the foundation for Great Start to Quality STARS. Therefore, a program and its staff must take the following steps in MiRegistry to access STARS and begin the rating process:

  1. Create a MiRegistry Account: The administrator or director of a program must create a MiRegistry account. If your program has staff, each person must also create a MiRegistry account.
  2. Become a MiRegistry Member: All program staff must become a MiRegistry Member by submitting an online application and sending in acceptable documentation for MiRegistry to verify an individual’s education history, qualifications, credentials, and professional development hours. Please note all staff must also have the program listed as their employer on their MiRegistry Profile/membership application.
Staff Qualification Variances through LARA and Impacts to GSQ
LARA and MDE are partnering to make it easier for individuals to enter the early child care profession and grow their skills on-the-job. LARA recognizes the importance of meeting people where they are when it comes to onboarding new staff with varied educational and work experiences. LARA is offering new ways to meet licensing requirements by allowing staff to learn on-the-job while earning a skill, certificate, or degree. We do not have a firm date on when these variances will be implemented.

To prepare, ECIC will add an option to all qualification indicators in the system until the new Quality Improvement Model launces in February 2023. As of Tuesday, June 21, you will notice the following option for qualifications in the STARS system:

“Staff currently fall under the allowable variance through the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).”
If staff fall under the allowable variance with LARA, they will be required to meet the following:

1.   All employees are connected to Organization Profile
2.   All employees have the correct position title(s)*
3.   All employees have an individual membership status (Applied, Materials Received, Awaiting Print, Current, Expired)
 
*If a staff member has more than one position with the program, all positions must be listed. If a staff member was hired within 90 days of the SAS submission, they must meet all requirements for Proration of Qualifications. 
Updated Link to the Quality Indicators 
As part of the revisions to Great Start to Quality, the Quality Indicators have been thoroughly updated based on provider and stakeholder feedback. The revised indicators provide simple and clear language. The revised Indicators are supportive of all program types, give opportunity to reflect and improve high-quality practices, and promote equity and inclusion in all programs. These Quality Indicators will be used beginning February 2023. Select the buttons to learn more.
Practice CLASS Observations
Are you ready for a CLASS observation? The Assessment Team will be travelling throughout the state to conduct practice CLASS observations from now until the launch in February 2023. Practice observations will not count toward your current star rating or the quality levels in the new model. This is simply a time to have an assessor visit and practice observing using the CLASS tool. You will get a report with a score and feedback that can used to improve quality.

Email assessment@ecic4kids.org if you are interested in being placed on our list. While we cannot guarantee your program will be selected for a practice CLASS, we will do our best to observe many different program types and age ranges in different areas of the state, and would love to hear from you!
Great Start to Quality on Facebook
Great Start to Quality is on Facebook! Like and follow our page to get the latest updates for you and resources to share with your colleagues and families. 
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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 1-877-614-7328 or visit www.greatstarttoquality.org.
Funding from the Office of Great Start within the Michigan Department of Education supports the implementation of Great Start.