The QCC County Program Profile provides county data from the Common Data File (CDF) and the Annual Progress Report (APR). For counties that are a part of a consortium, the QCC County Program Profile provides a combined view of the CDF and APR. Both qualitative and quantitative data are presented to provide a local view of early learning and care climate.

Quality Counts (QC) is Alameda County’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). QC supports early learning and care (ELC) educators, center directors and administrators, family child care (FCC) providers, and family, friend and neighbor (FFN) caregivers in creating nurturing, inclusive, and engaging early learning experiences where children can learn, grow, and thrive.

Quality Counts serves Alameda County’s diverse early care and education community, including California State Preschool Program (CSPP) and non-CSPP centers, FCC providers, FFN caregivers, and community-based programs such as libraries.

In fiscal year 2025–26, 373 ELC programs and caregivers received support from Quality Counts:

• 163 centers: 124 CSPP and 39 non-CSPP
• 87 FCC homes
• 110 FFN caregivers
• 12 library branches
• 1 home visiting program

Quality Counts offers a range of supports based on program type, eligibility, needs, and goals. Opportunities may include coaching and technical assistance, Communities of Practice (CoPs) and peer support, countywide training, curriculum support, developmental screening and inclusion support, professional development stipends, and site-level financial incentives.

All Quality Counts participants have a Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) aligned with their participation. Sites participating in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) co-develop an individualized QIP with their Quality Counts Coach or Program Coordinator based on the site’s strengths, needs, and priorities. QIPs are reviewed and updated every 6–12 months to assess progress and identify next steps. FCC providers and FFN caregivers participating in specific QC activities have standardized QIPs aligned with the goals and activities of those programs.

Quality improvement may focus on positive adult-child interactions; children’s learning and social-emotional development; inclusion; developmental screening and early identification; support for dual language and multilingual learners; healthy, safe, and engaging learning environments; family engagement; and equity-centered and culturally responsive care and education.

Quality Counts also supports CSPP sites in meeting California Department of Education quality and rating requirements.

• CSPP Block Grant
• QCC Quality Improvement Grant
• QCC Workforce Pathways Grant
• First 5 California IMPACT Legacy
• First 5 California IMPACT Hub Training and Technical Assistance
• Local First 5 Prop 10 and Measure C Children’s Health & Child Care Initiative

Quality Counts is jointly administered by First 5 Alameda County and the Alameda County Office of Education (ACOE). Together with local partners, they provide coaching, professional development, curriculum support, financial incentives, and other quality improvement services.

Implementation partners include:

• Alameda County Resource and Referral (R&R) agencies: 4Cs of Alameda County, BANANAS, Inc., Hively
• California School-Age Consortium (CalSAC)
• Participating Alameda County libraries

Alameda County’s outreach and onboarding approach varies by Quality Counts support opportunity.

Targeted outreach is conducted annually for specific opportunities for FCC providers and FFN caregivers, including FCC curriculum groups, FCC and FFN peer support groups, and FFN Play and Learn groups. Quality Counts and its partners use multiple strategies, including outreach at community events and FCC associations, to reach a broad and diverse range of providers and caregivers.

Outreach prioritizes historically underserved communities. Partners are encouraged to focus recruitment in priority ZIP codes with higher concentrations of poverty and economic need, helping connect FCC providers and FFN caregivers in these communities with professional learning, peer support, and resources.

When enrollment opens for Quality Counts CQI, information sessions are offered in multiple languages to explain program requirements and available supports. Interested centers and FCC programs complete an application. Participation is based on eligibility and prioritization criteria, including prioritizing programs serving children and families in communities with the greatest barriers to resources and opportunities.

Quality Counts offers different types and levels of support based on participants’ needs, goals, and program activities.

Coaching and Technical Assistance: First 5 and R&R Coaches support participating non-CSPP programs, and First 5 Program Coordinators support CSPP agencies. Coaching helps centers and FCC providers identify strengths and priorities, reflect on program practices, and work toward their QIP goals. Support is individualized based on each program’s QIP and may be provided in multiple languages. Coaching includes approaches such as the California Teaching Pyramid to support social-emotional development and CLASS® for multiple age groups to strengthen adult-child interactions.

Communities of Practice (CoPs) and Peer Support: FCC providers can participate in CoPs to connect with other providers, share resources, learn together, and support continuous quality improvement. Topic-based CoPs are offered in different languages. FCC and FFN peer support groups address topics such as child development, behaviors that may be challenging to adults, the effects of stress and trauma on children, and provider well-being.

Countywide Training and Professional Development: In partnership with Alameda County’s R&R agencies, Quality Counts offers countywide training for QC and non-QC programs. Professional learning supports educators, center directors and administrators, FCC providers, FFN caregivers, and other ECE professionals. Topics are aligned with QCC priorities and informed by feedback from the local ECE community.

Curriculum Support for Family Child Care Providers: FCC providers can participate in curriculum cohorts offered through the R&R agencies. Cohorts provide curriculum resources, training, technical assistance, and peer learning. Topics include child development, individualizing learning experiences, and enhancing learning environments.

Developmental Screening and Inclusion: FCC providers and center staff can work with an Inclusion and Developmental Screening Coach to strengthen early identification practices and connect with resources available through First 5 Alameda County’s Help Me Grow program. Support may include responding to developmental or behavioral concerns, making program modifications, communicating with families, and strengthening inclusive practices for children with disabilities and other special needs.

Play and Learn Groups for FFN Caregivers: Play and Learn groups at the R&Rs give FFN caregivers opportunities to learn, connect with others, and explore strategies for supporting children in their care. Topics may include health and safety, child development, early identification, early literacy, STEM, positive guidance, relationships with parents, and caregiver self-care.

FFN Supports at Libraries: Quality Counts partners with local libraries to connect FFN caregivers and children with Storytime, learning opportunities, and enrichment materials that support learning and development at home. Participants may also have access to the Sparkler app for developmental screening, personalized activities, and child development information.

Quality Counts provides financial supports to help eligible ECE programs and professionals participate in quality improvement and professional development. Depending on program type, eligibility, participation requirements, and available funding, supports may include site-level financial incentives and individual professional development stipends.

Site-Level Financial Incentives: Eligible centers and FCC providers participating in CQI may receive funding to support their quality improvement goals. Allowable uses include learning materials; classroom, FCC home, and outdoor equipment; professional development and substitute or release time; higher education expenses; and technology for child observation, assessment, or developmental screening.

Professional Development Stipends: Eligible educators, FCC providers, and FFN caregivers may receive stipends for completing approved professional development, higher education coursework, and other educational milestones. Stipends support ongoing professional growth and recognize ECE professionals who continue to build their knowledge and skills.

[It’s] wonderful to know that someone has your back; I feel like QC is my partner, gives me the tools to be a good provider and to support the quality of my program – I have the heart and the love, QC gave me the tools, materials, resources; Coaching supports with how to enhance the environment; support from QC staff is so responsive, I think of times I’ve called and if they don’t have an answer, they find the answer and call back.