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Subsidy & Funding

QRIS Guide for Child Care Directors: State Contacts and Ratings Explained

8 min read

Last updated

Jaclyn DeJohn, CFP®

Jaclyn DeJohn, CFP®

Last updated

an image of star ratings in gold silver and bronze bars on the backdrop of a preschool room with children and a teacher

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.

an woman's hands hold an ipad with a four-star quality rating shown on screen, with the backdrop of an empty child care room

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

Alaska

Arizona

  • QRIS: Quality First

  • Website: qualityfirstaz.com

  • Phone: 602.771.5000

  • Email: QualityFirst@FirstThingsFirst.org

Arkansas

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

Delaware

District of Columbia

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

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

  • QRIS: Great Start to Quality

  • Website: greatstarttoquality.org

  • Phone: 1-877-614-7328

  • Email: greatstarttoquality@ecic4kids.org

Minnesota

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

  • QRIS: QUALITYstarsNY

  • Website: qualitystarsny.org

  • Phone: (718) 254-7727

  • Email: info@qualitystarsny.org

North Carolina

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

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

an image of star ratings in gold silver and bronze bars on the backdrop of a preschool room with children and a teacher

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.

an woman's hands hold an ipad with a four-star quality rating shown on screen, with the backdrop of an empty child care room

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

Alaska

Arizona

  • QRIS: Quality First

  • Website: qualityfirstaz.com

  • Phone: 602.771.5000

  • Email: QualityFirst@FirstThingsFirst.org

Arkansas

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

Delaware

District of Columbia

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

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

  • QRIS: Great Start to Quality

  • Website: greatstarttoquality.org

  • Phone: 1-877-614-7328

  • Email: greatstarttoquality@ecic4kids.org

Minnesota

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

  • QRIS: QUALITYstarsNY

  • Website: qualitystarsny.org

  • Phone: (718) 254-7727

  • Email: info@qualitystarsny.org

North Carolina

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

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

Frequently asked questions

What are the pros and cons of participating in a QRIS program?

How does QRIS relate to NAEYC accreditation?

What assessment tools are used in QRIS program evaluations?

Can family child care homes and home daycares participate in QRIS?

How does QRIS participation affect child care enrollment and parent trust?

How does a QRIS rating affect child care subsidy reimbursement rates?

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Jaclyn DeJohn, CFP®

Director of Content

Jaclyn is a data journalist and CFP™ who evaluates trends in the childcare industry and wider economy. She has previously worked for publications including CNET, SmartAsset, Bizfluent, AZCentral and Chron, and as a research consultant for NAPCO Media. Her insights are often cited by publications including Bloomberg, CNBC, Business Insider, Fox News, USA Today, The Hill and more. She has a bachelor’s degree in economics and mathematics from The College of New Jersey.

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Great! What's the best way we can contact you?

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Illustration of a child care classroom with bookshelves, a slide, and a teddy bear

Book a demo to see why providers are switching.

First, tell us about yourself. What type of program do you run?

Great! What's the best way we can contact you?

  • Gan Sinai Early Learning Center of Temple Siniai
  • Yakima Valley Memorial
  • Child Development Consortium of Los Angeles
  • St. John Lutheran Church
  • The Weston School Early Childhood Education
Illustration of a child care classroom with bookshelves, a slide, and a teddy bear

Book a demo to see why providers are switching.

First, tell us about yourself. What type of program do you run?

Great! What's the best way we can contact you?

  • Gan Sinai Early Learning Center of Temple Siniai
  • Yakima Valley Memorial
  • Child Development Consortium of Los Angeles
  • St. John Lutheran Church
  • The Weston School Early Childhood Education
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Request AI summary of Playground

Solutions

Billing

Expenses

Payroll

Subsidies

Marketing

Enrollment

Websites

Paperwork

Predictive Enrollment

AI

Attendance

Communication

Food programs

Learning

Reporting

API

Integrations

Built for

In-home

Centers

Multi-site

Shared Services

Before & After Care

Camps

Company

About

Careers

hiring!

Security

Downloads

Apple Store

Google Play

Resources

Blog

Why Playground

Savings Club

New!

Early Childhood Investigations

Customer Stories

Help Center

Changelog

New!

Log In

Family Sign Up

© 2026 Carline Inc. All rights reserved.

Privacy

Terms of Service

HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices

Sitemap