Policy Resource
Quality First, Arizona's Quality Rating and Improvement System
In June 2011, Arizona rolled out its quality rating and improvement system (QRIS), Quality First, as part of its commitment to an interconnected early learning system.
Quality First is a voluntary rating system that assesses child care centers and home-based providers on safety, environment, curriculum, credentialing, and teaching style. The program is carried out by First Things First, a state government initiative for early childhood development and services. After the initial evaluation, coaches work with providers on a plan to improve the quality of their services. By participating in Quality First, child care providers may access funds for equipment, environmental improvements, and teacher training. In addition, providers, based on their star rating, are assigned a certain number of student scholarships intended for low-income families with the goal of raising standards while closing the achievement gap. For fiscal year 2016, 9,250 infants, toddlers, and preschoolers received scholarships to access early education.
51,069 children participated in Quality First child care centers, homes and preschools in FY 2016. Each program is rated on a one-to-five star scale to help Arizona’s parents evaluate their early care and education options. In addition, parents may access an online system to review providers’ ratings, which they can use to make choices about their children’s care.
Arizona’s system demonstrates a dedication to quality by supporting providers in their efforts to improve child care and meet the statewide standards. The rating system is the third phase of the Quality First initiative, which first assessed child care providers and then began working with them to improve quality through technical assistance and coaching in 2009. The Quality First program sets forth a cohesive concept of quality for the care and education of children birth to five years in Arizona and allows for better alignment with the states K-12 schools.
Updated July 2017.
Read more about:
You might also be interested in
-
Article
Illinois Increases State Funding for Home Visiting
On April 19, 2022 Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the Illinois FY 2023 spending plan HB900. Included in the state’s budget for the coming year is increased funding for evidence-based home visiting prog…
-
Article
New Jersey to offer home visiting to every family with a newborn
In June 2021 New Jersey passed S690 which will provide all New Jersey residents access to at least one, and up to three, post-partum home visits by a specially trained registered nurse for the parent…
-
Article
Alabama Increases Funding for Home Visiting in 2021
In April 2021, Alabama passed The Education Trust Fund budget SB 189, which included many increases in funding for programs serving children and families.
-
Article
Bill Adds State Funds for Community-based Home Visiting Models in Minnesota
In 2021 Minnesota passed HF 2128, an omnibus health and human services finance bill that included $4.5 million in state funds to significantly expand voluntary home visiting for pregnant people and f…
-
Article
Delaware Prioritizes Home Visiting
In 2019 Delaware passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 50 (SCR 50) requiring the Department of Health and Social Services – in collaboration with the Department of Education and Delaware Home Visiting …
-
Article
Rhode Island Cross-Sector Compensation Report Drives Legislative Action
Thanks to the work of the RIght from the Start campaign, composed of Rhode Island early childhood groups, leaders, and stakeholders convened as a part of the state’s Think Babies efforts funded by ZE…
Explore More Arizona Focused Resources & Initiatives
-
Article
Virtual and In-Person – 2020 State Strolling Thunder Events Rolled and Rumbled Across the Country
This year, ZERO TO THREE Think Babies partners in states kept the needs of babies in front of policymakers in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic.
-
Article
2019 State Budget Wins for Babies
Thanks to dedicated advocates and policymakers, babies and their families around the country will benefit from state budget boosts in the upcoming year.
-
Article
First Things First was created in 2006, when voters passed a ballot initiative setting aside 80 cents from each pack of cigarettes sold in order to fund the expansion of health and education programs…
-
Article
-
Article
Learn about First Things First, a program created in 2006 when voters passed a ballot initiative setting aside 80 cents from each pack of cigarettes sold in order to fund the expansion of health and …
