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.

Riverside County’s voluntary Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS), Quality Start Riverside County (QS-RC), serves a variety of early care and education programs, from public preschool programs like the California State Preschool Program and Head Start, to privately owned programs, faith-based programs, and family child care home providers. Alternative programs such as libraries, home visitation programs, or family resource centers are also served through QS-RC.

QS-RC is administered in collaboration with the Riverside County Office of Education (https://www.rcoe.us/early-learning-services/early-care-education/) and First 5 Riverside (http://www.rccfc.org). Since July 2014, more than 100 QRIS sites are participating in QS-RC quality improvement efforts and have been rated. QS-RC utilizes the CA-QRIS Quality Continuum Framework Rating Matrix to identify and assign a quality rating, based upon tier levels of 1–5, through validation of assessments and documentation of program features focusing on three core elements of program quality:

1. Child Development and School Readiness
2. Teachers and Teaching
3. Program and Environment

Early care and education programs, providing services to children ages 0–5 and their families, may be eligible to participate in QS-RC and receive access to training, coaching, technical assistance, and quality improvement support incentives and/or materials.

• California Department of Education
• Proposition 10

• Consortium for Early Learning Services
• Riverside County Office of Education
• California Baptist University
• University of California, Riverside
• County of Riverside Department of Public Social Services (DPSS)
• Riverside University Health System – Department of Public Health

Quality Start Riverside County (QSRC) engages participating providers and educators to improve early learning quality and ensures all children have access to high-quality programs. Through an open enrollment process, providers watch the online orientation video, located on the QSRC website, and submit the QSRC Memorandum of Understanding. Once enrolled, providers are connected to a QSRC coach who will navigate them through the QSRC requirements to ensure success in the program.

As Quality Start Riverside County (QSRC) continues to grow, ongoing quality improvement support strategies, such as coaching, training, and quality packages, are provided to ensure all participating provider types are successful in the program.

Coaching: A QSRC Coach supports sites by providing individualized coaching, resources, and technical assistance to guide sites throughout the quality improvement journey through responsive mentorship. The coach works with providers to create a Quality Improvement Plan that is based on unique strengths and identifies areas of improvement during the rating and assessment cycle.

Training: Early Learning Educators have access to attend free QSRC trainings and professional development opportunities.

Quality Packages: Sites that are rated Tier 1, 2, or 3 earn a quality package based upon the quality needs of the site determined by the ERS assessment. Quality packages are developmentally appropriate materials and items to enhance a more effective early learning environment for children.

Quality Start Riverside County (QSRC) offers financial incentives to support providers to maintain or increase tier levels.

Educational Stipend Program: Stipends support early learning educators to obtain and expand their qualifications. The financial stipend incentivizes educators to complete college coursework and professional development hours.

Quality Achievement Incentive: Sites that are a Tier 4 or 5 receive a financial incentive to support maintaining a high-quality early learning environment. Providers determine how funds support quality improvements.

Quality Tier-Layered Incentive: Sites that are Tiers 2–5 and serve children under the age of 6 in the Alternative Payment Program or First 5 Riverside Hybrid Alternative Payment Program earn a tier-layered incentive. Providers receive a percentage above the regional Market Ceiling Rate based upon the tier rating.

A Family Child Care Home Provider shared: Participating in Quality Start Riverside County is life changing. The coaching support, the financial incentives, and the free training—all drastically benefit me and the children.