The Star Gazette - Great Start to Quality

June 2021

The Star Gazette

In this Edition:

Rating Extensions and Restorations
Registration for Upcoming CLASS and GSQ Training
What to Expect During the Rating Process
Meet Our Team
MiRegistry Career Level Pathway
Using the MiRegistry Statewide Training Calendar Video Resource

Rating Extensions and Restorations - Phase 3 Complete

As of June 23, 2021 all eligible programs have had their ratings restored and expiration dates extended in STARS. To learn more about rating supports for licensed child care providers because of COVID-19, visit our webpage.

Child Development and Care can now being to work on providing supplemental payments to those eligible programs who billed between June, 29, 2020 and April 30, 2021 and had their ratings restored. We appreciate your patience through this process and will share an updates when payments will be made.

If you have questions about rating extensions or restorations, please email greatstarttoquality@ecic4kids.org.

CLASS and GSQ -Training

We invite you to register for our August 31 CLASS and GSQ training webinar. This one-hour training will provide a brief overview of the CLASS observation tool and how it will be used in Great Start to Quality beginning in 2022. The webinar will be held from 1-2pm. Training credit through MiRegistry will be provided and you can register using the link below or by searching in the MiRegistry website for training event #89238.

MiRegistry registration link - https://go.miregistry.org/register.aspx?evid=89238

During this interactive training, we will provide time for Q&A with participants. If you have any questions regarding this training, please email assessment@ecic4kids.org for support.

What to Expect During the Rating Process

Are you new to Great Start to Quality and have never been through the rating process? Over the years, we have had providers and programs tell us that they are nervous to experience the validation call and on-site assessment. Below you will find some helpful information about both processes.

Every member of the validation and assessment team has worked in child care programs or family child care programs, so we understand that your time is valuable, and things might come up that they need to address in the moment, we are always willing to hold.
The Validation phone call is about learning more about how the program operates and interacts with the children and families, as it is hard to get that information from documentation only.
The validation phone call is conducted to provide an opportunity to ask questions, Validators will do their best to explain indicators or resources when they are able. If the Validator is unable to answer the question or is not sure of the resources in the program's region, they will offer to connect you to your local Resource Center for support.
The on-site assessment is a chance to show off the program. The Assessors are happy to see programs’ commitment to improvement and want to make the process as simple and pleasant as possible.
The on-site assessment is just a starting point. After an Assessor visits the program and conducts an on-site assessment, a written report will be completed and shared with the program.

The on-site assessment is important because it gives an in-depth and objective look at the practices in the program. An assessment gives valuable information for reflection and quality improvement. It can be an ongoing asset as the program continues to work toward increasing quality

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.

Kimmy McAuley, Validator

Kimmy McAuley became a Great Start to Quality Validator in 2017 where she focuses on ensuring the integrity of the Great Start to Quality rating system by reviewing the evidence submitted as part of the Self-Assessment Survey.

Ms. McAuley has worked in the field of early childhood since 2012, serving children from birth to 14 years old. Through her work and educational background, Ms. McAuley has gained knowledge and experience in early childhood best practice, program management, writing curriculum and family engagement.

Ms. McAuley received her Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Development from Michigan State University.

TaShanna Norrell, Assessor

TaShanna Norrell joined the Early Childhood Investment Corporation in January of 2017. Her current work is focused on conducting on-site observations based on the Program Quality Assessment (PQA) tools.

Ms. Norrell has worked in the education field for the past fifteen years in various roles which included teaching, training, and mentoring.

Ms. Norrell received her Bachelor of Arts in Education, specializing in Early Childhood from Ashford University and her Master’s in Education specializing in Early Childhood and Educating Adults from Walden University.

MiRegistry Career Level Pathway

Some language revisions were made on The Career Pathway to better reflect recent adjustments in terminology including the Glossary of Terms, Foundational Level 3, and Professional Levels 1 and 3. To see the newly revised Career Pathway, please visit: https://www.miregistry.org/Career-Pathway

Using the MiRegistry Statewide Training Calendar Video Resource

This video has been updated to better represent free training events on the MiRegistry Statewide Training Calenda r. The video is available on MiRegistry’s YouTube page as well as on the Resources page of our website.

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.