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Illinois Quality Counts—QRS
The Illinois Quality Counts–Quality Rating System (QRS) assists child care programs in providing high-quality care for children and their families. This initiative is funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). This voluntary system is available to license-exempt family child care providers, licensed family child care providers and licensed centers. Providers must serve children eligible for the IDHS Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) in order to participate in Quality Counts–QRS.
The System offers levels which providers can achieve
depending on the type of care they provide. Once a child care provider has met the required criteria for a level, they are recognized for their achievement and receive a quality add-on rate to the CCAP standard daily reimbursement rate. More information about the QRS is available through the Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (INCCRRA).
Specific quality criteria must be met to achieve a level. For centers, at each Star Level, the learning environment is evaluated by a Quality Counts–QRS assessor using one or more of the Environment Rating Scales. At Star Levels 3 and 4, program administration is also evaluated by an assessor. This evaluation is conducted by a Quality Counts–QRS assessor using the Program Administration Scale (PAS) and/or a representative for national accreditation or Head Start.
For family child care homes, at each Star Level the learning environment is evaluated by a Quality Counts–QRS assessor using the Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale-R. At Start Level 3, the program is also evaluated using the Business Administration Scale for Family Child Care (BAS) unless the center is accredited by the NAFCC.
Need a Consultant?
Technical assistance, training, and supports are offered to all types of providers through their local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency. Independent consultants are also available to provide support for directors preparing for their PAS assessment. Through a grant by the Grand Victoria Foundation, these consultants have been trained specifically on the PAS and are available to help directors improve the leadership and management practices at their centers. Funding for these consultants is available through local CCR&R agencies.
Find a consultant.
