Quality Start, Louisiana’s Child Care Rating System, has been in place since summer 2007. This program is under the supervision of Tulane University. The program serves to increase the quality of child care and early learning initiatives for all children across the state and provide parents with tools to understand and command higher quality child care for their children.
Quality Start is voluntary for all Class A child care centers. The Family Tree’s Environment Rating Scale (ERS) assessment team conducts classroom assessments at centers in the greater Lafayette and Lake Charles areas. These observations are meant to evaluate the children’s daily experiences, and include items on interaction, language, program structure, activities, health and safety practices, etc. The DCFS Department of Children and Family Services uses the scores from these assessments, along with a center’s staff qualifications, administrative practices, and community involvement, to award centers with quality stars.
Centers participating in Quality Start are eligible to receive mental health consultations. The Family Tree employs full-time mental health consultants, trained in infant and early childhood issues (0-5 years old), who can provide training and resources to parents and staff in local child care centers. In addition, participating centers receive many advantages including School Readiness Tax Credits, which are available to parents, employees, and supporting businesses.
To learn more about Quality Start, if you are a child care provider or if you are looking for child care, visit www.qrslouisiana.org.
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