As a child care director or program leader, you have a practical interest in tools that help your program stand out. Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS) offer a structured framework many states use to evaluate, support, and recognize programs that go beyond minimum licensing requirements. Understanding QRIS can help you access resources, improve outcomes, and strengthen your program’s sustainability. Participating may unlock funding or other incentives. 

In practice, QRIS systems are designed to raise quality standards in early childhood education above basic licensing rules. Each statewide QRIS program has its own name and protocols. In addition to more information about how QRIS works, this article includes the names and contact information for every state’s program.

Looking for efficient ways to increase your program’s care and operational quality? Book a free demo with Playground.

What Is a QRIS?

A QRIS is a state-level system that assesses early childhood programs (centers, family child care homes, preschools, and sometimes school-age care) across multiple quality indicators. It rates programs – often with stars or levels – and connects higher ratings to supports like coaching, training, and financial incentives. Most QRIS evaluate areas such as:

• Staff qualifications and professional development

• Curriculum, learning environments, and child assessments

• Teacher-child interactions (often observed with tools like CLASS)

• Family engagement and partnerships

• Program leadership, administration, and health/safety practices

Level 1 typically aligns with basic licensing, while higher levels require stronger ratios, more educated staff, proven practices, and documentation of quality. However, it’s important to note that systems vary significantly by state. A 4-star rating in one state does not equal a 4-star in another. Always check your state’s specific standards.

Do You Need to Enroll Your Program?

Participation is usually voluntary, but it’s increasingly tied to subsidy and grant funding. Many states require QRIS enrollment (or a minimum rating) for providers accepting child care subsidies (CCDF), grants, or other public funds. Even without mandates, higher-rated programs often qualify for:

• Tiered reimbursement rates (higher payments per subsidized child)

• Quality improvement grants or bonuses

• Priority access to certain contracts or professional development opportunities

If your program serves subsidized families or seeks growth, QRIS is often a practical necessity rather than an optional add-on. A positive QRIS rating can also help attract qualified staff and serve as a marketing tool for prospective client families.

For programs already operating near capacity without subsidized families, the return on that investment may be slower. Whether it’s worth it generally depends on how much of your enrollment relies on subsidy funding and how close your current practices already are to the rating standards.

How long does it take to get a top QRIS rating?

Timeline varies by state and your program’s starting point, but most providers should expect the process to take anywhere from several months to a couple of years to reach a top rating, depending on how many quality indicators need to be improved. The initial application and documentation phase typically takes a few weeks to months. Observation scheduling, review periods, and coaching cycles add additional time. Programs that are already close to meeting the standards – for example, those with credentialed staff and strong curricula in place – can move more quickly. States often allow you to work toward improvement over time rather than meeting all standards before being rated.

Does It Cost Money to Participate in a QRIS?

Direct enrollment fees are rare or low in most states – many systems are funded publicly and charge nothing (or a nominal amount) for the rating process itself.

Indirect costs are the real consideration:

• Time for documentation, self-assessments, and observations

• Investments in staff education, training, or materials to meet higher standards

• Potential temporary adjustments to ratios or scheduling during improvement phases

These costs are often offset by incentives, coaching supports (frequently free), and higher reimbursements. Many directors report that structured support helps them make targeted investments that pay off through better retention, enrollment, and outcomes.

Steps to Enroll and Maintain Compliance

While details differ by state, the general process looks like this:

1. Research your state’s system. Visit your state’s child care licensing website (listed below) or the national Quality Compendium for your state profile. Contact your local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency for personalized guidance.

2. Attend an orientation. Most states offer free sessions, whether in-person or virtual, that explain standards, the rating process, and available support.

3. Complete a self-assessment. Use your state’s tools to evaluate your current practices against the standards. Identify strengths and gaps.

4. Submit an application. You’ll have to provide documentation such as policies, staff credentials, curriculum details, observation results, etc. Some systems integrate with licensing databases for efficiency.

5. Undergo review and rating. This may include classroom observations, portfolio reviews, or verification visits. Many states use a points-based or block system.

6. Develop and implement an improvement plan. Work with assigned coaches or mentors on targeted goals. Coaching is one of the most valuable (and often free) parts of QRIS.

How do I maintain my QRIS standing?

Ongoing QRIS participation requirements will vary by state, but most ratings are typically valid for one to three years. In order to stay in good standing, many system require annual updates, professional development (PD) hours, or progress reports. To this end, make sure you track any improvements you make to your operational systems, and any staff training.

Consider using Playground to improve your operations, care quality and bottom line. Book a free demo today.

QRIS programs and contact information by state

Alabama

• QRIS: Alabama Quality STARS

• Website: alabamaqualitystars.org

• Phone: (334) 604-6260

• Email: info@alabamaqualitystars.org

Alaska

• QRIS: Learn & Grow

• Website: threadalaska.org/learn-and-grow

• Phone: 907-265-3100

• Email: info@threadalaska.org

Arizona

• QRIS: Quality First

• Website: qualityfirstaz.com

• Phone: 602.771.5000

• Email: QualityFirst@FirstThingsFirst.org

Arkansas

• QRIS: Better Beginnings

• Website: arbetterbeginnings.com

• Phone: 1-501-320-6161

California

• QRIS: Quality Counts California (QCC) — statewide framework with local/county implementation

• Website: qualitycountsca.net

Colorado

• QRIS: Colorado Shines

• Website: coloradoshines.com

• Phones: 

  • Referral Line: 877-338-2273 

  • Help Desk: 844-447-4441

• Email:

  • QRIS related: cdec_coshines@state.co.us

  • PDIS related: cdec_pdishelp@state.co.us 

Connecticut

• QRIS: Elevate

• Website: ctoec.org/elevate

• Phone: 860-500-4412

Delaware

• QRIS: Delaware Stars for Early Success (DE Stars)

• Website: mychildde.org/providers/quality

• Phone: (800) 734-2388

• Email: mychildde@cffde.org

District of Columbia

• QRIS: Capital Quality

• Website: osse.dc.gov/page/capital-quality-qris

• Phone: (202) 727-6436

• Email: osse@dc.gov

Florida

• No traditional single statewide QRIS. Quality is addressed through School Readiness and Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) program assessments, plus various county/local systems.

• Main resource: Florida Office of Early Learning / local Child Care Resource & Referral agencies

Georgia

• QRIS: Quality Rated

• Website: decal.ga.gov/qualityinitiatives/qualityrated.aspx

• Phone: 1-888-442-7735

Hawaii

• No formal statewide QRIS. Pilot program may be available.

Idaho

• QRIS: Quality Achievers (current system via IdahoSTARS; previously Steps to Quality)

• Website: idahostars.org

• Phone: 1-800-926-2588

• Email contacts

Illinois

• QRIS: ExceleRate Illinois

• Website: excelerateillinois.com

• Phone: 866-697-8278

Indiana

• QRIS: Paths to QUALITY

• Website: in.gov/fssa/pathstoquality

• Phone: 800-299-1627

Iowa

• QRIS: Iowa Quality for Kids (IQ4K)

• Website: iowaccrr.org/providers/iq4k

• Contact form: https://iowaccrr.org/contact/ 

Kansas

• QRIS: Links to Quality (L2Q)

• Website: ks.childcareaware.org/l2q

• Phone: 785-823-3343

• Email: info@ks.childcareaware.org

Kentucky

• QRIS: Kentucky All STARS

• Website: chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dcbs/dcc/Pages/kyallstars.aspx (families)Provider resources also available on the same site.

• Phone: (502) 564-5497

• Contact form

Louisiana

• QRIS: Performance Profiles 

• Website: doe.louisiana.gov/early-childhood/performance-profiles(Profiles also at louisianaschools.com)

• Phone: 1-877-453-2721

Maine

• QRIS: Rising Stars for ME

• Website: risingstarsforme.org(Also: maine.gov/dhhs/ocfs/support-for-families/child-care/qris)

• Phone: 1-888-900-0055

• Email: risingstarsforme@maine.edu

Maryland

• QRIS: Maryland EXCELS

• Website: marylandexcels.org

• Email: info@marylandexcels.org

Massachusetts

• QRIS: Currently paused while developing a continuous quality improvement system.

• Main agency: Department of Early Education and Care (EEC)

• Website: mass.gov/orgs/department-of-early-education-and-care

Michigan

• QRIS: Great Start to Quality

• Website: greatstarttoquality.org

• Phone: 1-877-614-7328

• Email: greatstarttoquality@ecic4kids.org

Minnesota

• QRIS: Parent Aware

• Website: parentaware.org

• Phone: 888-291-9811

Missouri

• QRIS: Quality Assurance Report (QAR)

• Website: dese.mo.gov/childhood/quality-programs/quality-assurance-report

• Phone: 573-751-6793

• Email: Childhood@dese.mo.gov

Montana

• QRIS: Montana’s Treasures (Launching Oct. 1, 2026)

• Website: https://dphhs.mt.gov/ecfsd/childcare/QRS/

• Phone: 406-444-5622

Nebraska

• QRIS: Step Up to Quality

• Website: stepuptoquality.ne.gov

• Phone: 844-807-5712

• Email: nde.stepuptoquality@nebraska.gov

Nevada

• QRIS: Silver State Stars

• Website: https://doe.nv.gov/offices/oeld/ece-professionals/qris 

• Phone: 702-486-6458

• Email: QRIS@doe.nv.gov

New Hampshire

• QRIS: Granite Steps for Quality

• Website: https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/childcare-parenting-childbirth/child-development-and-head-start/granite-steps 

• Phone: 603-271-4242

• Email: NHGSQ@dhhs.nh.gov

New Jersey

• QRIS: Grow NJ Kids

• Website: grownjkids.gov

• Contact form

New Mexico

• QRIS: FOCUS

• Website: https://www.nmececd.org/focus-tqris/ 

• Phone: 505-695-6804

• Email: Rosario.Roybal@ececd.nm.gov

New York

• QRIS: QUALITYstarsNY

• Website: qualitystarsny.org

• Phone: (718) 254-7727

• Email: info@qualitystarsny.org

North Carolina

• QRIS: Pathways to the Stars

• Website: ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov

• Phone: 919-814-6300

Ohio

• QRIS: Step Up to Quality

• Website: https://childrenandyouth.ohio.gov/for-providers/step-up-to-quality 

• Phone: 844-234-5437

• Email: childcarepolicy@childrenandyouth.ohio.gov

Oklahoma

• QRIS: Stars program

• Website: https://oklahoma.gov/okdhs/services/child-care-services/qris.html 

• Phone: 405-522-5050

Oregon

• QRIS: Spark

• Website: https://oregonspark.org/

• Phone: 877-768-8290

• Email: oregonspark@wou.edu

Pennsylvania

• QRIS: Keystone STARS

• Website: https://www.pakeys.org/keystone-stars/ 

• Phone: 844-569-7253

• Email: info@pakeys.org

Rhode Island

• QRIS: BrightStars

• Website: https://brightstars.org/ 

• Phone: 401-739-6100

• Email: info@RIAEYC.org

South Carolina

• QRIS: ABC Quality

• Website: https://www.scchildcare.org/programs/abc-quality-rating-improvement-system/ 

• Phone: 800-763-2223

• Email: abcquality@dss.sc.gov

South Dakota

• QRIS: Quality Care South Dakota

• Website: https://sdece.org/quality-care-south-dakota/

• Phone: 605-688-5730

• Email: SDSU.SDQRIS@sdstate.edu

Tennessee

• QRIS: Star Quality Child Care Program

• Website: https://www.kidcentraltn.com/support/child-care/child-care-star-rating-system.html 

Texas

• QRIS: Texas Rising Star

• Website: https://texasrisingstardrc.org/

• Phone: 800-628-5115

• Contact form

Utah

• QRIS: Child Care Quality System

• Resource page: https://jobs.utah.gov/occ/provider/quality.html 

• Phone: 866-435-7414

• Email: ccqs@utah.gov

Vermont

• QRIS: STARS

• Website: https://dcf.vermont.gov/cdd/providers/care/STARS 

• Phone: 800-649-2642, option 8

• Email: STARS@vermont.gov

Virginia

• QRIS: VQB5 (Virginia Quality Birth to Five)

• Website: https://earlychildhoodquality.doe.virginia.gov/ 

• Phone: 804-358-8323

• Contact list by region

Washington

• QRIS: Early Achievers

• Website: https://dcyf.wa.gov/services/earlylearning-childcare/early-achievers/rating-system 

• Email: qris@dcyf.wa.gov

West Virginia

• QRIS: No formal QRIS system; tiered reimbursement system instead

• Website: https://bfa.wv.gov/page/tiered-reimbursementSee also: https://www.wvearlychildhood.org/wv-quality-support-services 

• Phone: 304-637-5560

• Email: jaime.l.price@wv.gov

Wisconsin

• QRIS: YoungStar

• Website: https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/youngstar 

• Phone: 833-964-7827

• Email: help@youngstarconnect.com

Wyoming

• QRIS: WY Quality Counts

• Website: https://dws.wyo.gov/dws-division/business-training-support-unit/wyoming-quality-counts/ 

• Phone: 307-777-2439

• Email: denise.steele@wyo.gov

Remember, Playground offers a variety of ways to improve the quality of your child care program. Book a free demo today to learn more.