KQRIS - Kansas Quality Rating Improvement System

The Kansas Quality Rating Improvement System (KQRIS) is a 5-Star quality rating system for center-based and family child care programs. Participating programs receive a comprehensive assessment, on-site technical assistance, access to an improvement grant, and teachers/providers are eligible for college scholarships and salary supplements.

The Kansas Quality Rating Improvement System is a 5 Star quality rating system for child care centers, preschools, Head Start facilities, faith-based preschool programs and family child care homes. Participating child care programs receive a comprehensive assessment that results in a 1 – 5 Star Quality Rating (5 Stars is the highest possible rating). Assessment is followed with on-site technical assistance to help the program make strategic improvement to overall quality.

KQRIS is the changing face of quality improvement in Kansas; participants receive a variety of supports to assist in quality improvement efforts. Child care programs have access to a Quality Improvement (QI) Coach who can help the program set and achieve goals to make program improvements. Participants are eligible for quality improvement grants that can be used to purchase materials, equipment or pay for accreditation fees that will improve overall program quality. Staff/providers in participating KQRIS sites are eligible for college scholarships (through T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® KANSAS) and salary supplements (through Child Care WAGE$® KANSAS).

KQRIS is currently available in selected communities across Kansas; In the ERC service delivery area, Shawnee and Douglas counties are currently participating.

How Do I Know if I am Ready for KQRIS?

If you work in Shawnee or Douglas County and are interested in becoming a KQRIS participant, read the following to see if your program is ready to make a commitment to participate a continuous quality improvement program. Programs generally get the most benefit from a KQRIS Quality Rating when they have achieved some stability in staffing and daily operations. To ensure that your program is prepared to participate in a quality rating program, consider whether your program meets the following criteria before applying:

• The program is a licensed facility
• The program has been in operation for at least one year
• Less than 50% staff turnover in the last year
• Current director/provider has been in position at least one year
• Program has been at present location at least 6 months
         —no plans to relocate in next six months
• Any outstanding licensing violations have been corrected
• Program has at least 4 full time children enrolled in each classroom
             (except infant age groups)
• Family child care homes serve at least two families, not including the provider’s own

Once your application is accepted for KQRIS, your program will participate in Getting Ready for Ratings; a preparation course that will help your program learn about the KQRIS criterion in more detail so that your program is fully prepared for the rating experience. Getting Ready for Ratings is delivered on-site at your program by a trained Quality Improvement Coach who will walk you through each of the KQRIS Quality Rating components. Once completed (about 4 – 6 weeks), your program will be able to estimate its own KQRIS Star Rating.

If you feel your program is ready to participate in KQRIS, contact: Kim Young (785) 865-0669 kimy@ercrefer.org if you are located in Douglas County, or Michelle Gilbert (785)357-5171 michelle@ercrefer.org if you are located in Shawnee County.