A Great Start for Kids: Recommendations for a Michigan Child Care Quality Rating and Improvement System

This 2007 document presents recommendations by the Michigan Quality Rating and Improvement System (MQRIS) Workgroup for a child care quality rating and improvement system (QRIS) in Michigan. Two parallel tracks are recommended for quality rating (i.e., one for licensed center-based care and one for registered family home providers and licensed group home providers). All registered family home providers and licensed providers will have the opportunity to achieve the first tier of quality upon licensure (or registration for family home providers). Participation in the QRIS is voluntary. Providers will be able to move through five tiers of quality, or earn up to five stars within the MQRIS. In addition to licensing rules, a comprehensive QRIS includes criteria such as staff qualifications, adult-child ratios, learning environment, curriculum, and adult-child interactions, which are believed to be associated with quality in early education and care programs and improved child outcomes. Contains 40 references.