The Star Gazette - Great Start to Quality

August 2021

The Star Gazette

In this Edition:

New Website
Time to Update Program Information
Curriculum Approval Process
Find Success with PQA and CLASS
Emerging from the Pandemic
Meet Our Team

New Website

We are thrilled to share our new website launched last week. And while we intentionally kept a similar look, we have made improvements to navigation and the child care search feature for families. In a few weeks, once you have had time to use the new site, we will be sharing an opportunity for you to share your feedback so additional improvements can be made.

Time to Update Program Information

‌Now that families have a better way to search for child care, it’s a great time to make sure your program’s public profile is up-to-date, especially with the information that is most important to families such as number of spaces available in each age group you serve, the cost of care, and hours the program is open. This is a perfect way to market your program and highlight all the options your program can provide children and families. And it’s free! Access your profile to make changes.

Need help? Contact your local Great Start to Quality Resource Center for support on how to access and update your profile. Call 1-877-614-7328 or email greatstarttoquality@ecic4kids.org for more information.

‌Curriculum Approval Process

The Michigan Department of Education Office of Great Start has launched the curriculum approval process for Home-Based Family Child Care programs and Center-Based programs serving infants and toddlers. Based on the review timeline, curriculum vendors need to submit four (4) full sets of their curricula and supporting materials for review by August 27, 2021. Curricula will be evaluated by an expanded Curriculum Review Committee (CRC), made up of early childhood experts including infant-toddler and home-based child care specialists. This committee includes members representing diverse perspectives and is responsible for ensuring a fair and thorough review of submissions. Only curriculum vendors can submit a curriculum for approval.

Learn more on the Curriculum Approval Process page of our website.

Find Success with PQA and CLASS

As we prepare for the transition to CLASS, you may be wondering how will the CLASS observation be different from a PQA observation? The visits are actually quite similar, with an observer coming in to see a typical day. Check out A Teachers Take on CLASS Observations. This is a brief video from Teachstone about what providers and teachers can expect when they are going to be observed.

Have questions? We are here to help! Reach out to the Assessment Team any time at assessment@ecic4kids.org for additional support and guidance.

Emerging from the Pandemic

Many adjustments have been made to the validation process to work with programs to determine their specific circumstances and the best way to move forward during the pandemic. These adjustments have allowed many programs to complete the process, even those who were closed. These scoring accommodations will be in effect until September 30, 2021. Beginning on October 1, 2021, all programs will need to be implementing all indicators on the Self-Assessment Survey in order to receive credit, as scoring accommodations will no longer be made unless stricter guidance is issued prior to that time.

Have questions? We are here to help! Reach out to the Validation Team any time at Validation@ecic4kids.org for additional support and guidance.

Get to Know the Validators and Assessors

Over the next few issues, we will introduce you to one team member from both the Validation and Assessment Teams.

Candice Lewis, Validator

Candice Lewis became a Great Start to Quality Validator in 2015, where she focuses on the integrity of the Great Start to Quality rating system by reviewing the evidence submitted as a part of the Self-Assessment Survey.

Ms. Lewis has worked in the field of early childhood since 1998, serving children ages 0-12 years in multiple programs. She has also worked in an at-risk group home for youth serving ages 13-18 years.

Ms. Lewis received her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Brigham Young University, Provo and has earned a Michigan Provisional Training Certificate.

Allyson Page, Assessor

Allyson Page became a Great Start to Quality Assessor in September 2017. Her current work is focused on conducting on-site observations based on the Program Quality Assessment (PQA) tools for the Great Start to Quality rating system.

Ms. Page has worked in the education field for more than ten years. Through her work, she has gained knowledge and experience in best teaching practices, assessment, and collaboration.

Ms. Page received a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education specializing in Health Education from Grand Valley State University. Ms. Page is also certified as a reliable HighScope assessor.

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.