The Star Gazette
In this Edition:
  • GSQ Revisions
  • A Great Resource to Add to the Nutrition Plan (Indicator C-HE1, N-HE1, and N-HE1) 
  • MiRegistry Member Impact on GSQ Ratings
  • What information does Great Start to Quality use from MiRegistry?
  • Clean-up Time Tip from the Assessment Team
GSQ Revisions
Save the Date!

The Early Childhood Investment Corporation will be conducting training on revisions to Great Start to Quality in June. These will be webinar trainings and attendees can register in MiRegistry. 

Thursday, June 23 1:00-2:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 23  6:30-8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, June 29 1:00-2:30 p.m.
 
More information and registration links coming soon!
A Great Resource to Add to the Nutrition Plan (Indicator C-HE1, N-HE1, and N-HE1) 
If you are looking for resources about health and nutrition for your program, you may want to consider utilizing farm-to-school resources or becoming a farm-to-school program. Programs that participate in farm-to-school practices help children gain access to healthy, local foods as well as educational opportunities such as school gardens, cooking lessons, and farm field trips. Farm-to-school empowers children and their families to make informed food choices while strengthening the local economy and contributing to vibrant communities. Programs can gain a lot from farm-to-school and will want to make sure it’s added to their nutrition plan.
MiRegistry Member Impact on GSQ Ratings
Great Start to Quality can only award credit for qualification indicators if qualifications have been verified by MiRegistry. There is no option to upload documentation in the Self-Assessment Survey (SAS) for qualifications. If staff have the wrong position title, their information will not transfer correctly in the SAS Qualification Report. The SAS Qualification report is used to award credit for the qualification section of the SAS.
 
What information does Great Start to Quality use from MiRegistry?
Great Start to Quality uses information from MiRegistry for star ratings. Information used from MiRegistry is as follows:

  • Employment information
  • Position titles
  • Start dates
  • Individual Membership Information
  • Qualifications and Credentials
  • Professional Development
  • Career Pathway Level 

We are here to help! Reach out to the Validation Team anytime at Validation@ecic4kids.org for additional support and guidance.  
Clean-up Time Tip from the Assessment Team
Clean-up time can be a challenge! We understand that it isn’t always easy to encourage children to clean up while still allowing them to make choices and have independence. A program we recently visited excelled in clean-up time. Instead of using phrases like, “Timmy, could you please put the blocks away?” they used phrases like, “Timmy, what would you like to clean up?” or “Timmy, I see Legos and blocks out in the block area and dishes and food out in the house area. Would you like to clean one of those areas up?” An additional idea is adding “Clean Up Jobs” to the check-in process or planning, so children know ahead of time which area they will clean for the day, and asking the children to check the board if they forget to choose clean up. Organized and labeled materials and shelves also give children confidence when cleaning up and encourages their independence.
Reminder: Ready for an On-Site Assessment?

On-Site Assessment visits are unannounced. Programs and providers can expect communication from the assigned Assessor near the beginning of the scheduling window.
 
As always, if you have any questions, reach out to the Assessment Team at assessment@ecic4kids.org
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.