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.

San Mateo County has a longstanding commitment to enhancing early learning through sustained investments in quality improvement and its Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). Quality Counts San Mateo County is part of a broader state initiative aimed at elevating the quality of early learning programs. We deeply value the importance of early childhood education and are continually inspired by the dedication of early educators across the county who work tirelessly to provide children a bright future through early learning excellence.

Quality Counts San Mateo County (QCSM) is led by First 5 San Mateo County and the San Mateo County Office of Education, in partnership with the Child Care Coordinating Council of San Mateo County. For more information, please visit www.first5sanmateo.org, www.smcoe.org, and www.sanmateo4cs.org. The initiative is supported by funding from the California Department of Education, the California Department of Social Services, First 5 California, and First 5 San Mateo County.

Currently, nearly 200 early learning providers—including family child care homes (FCC), center-based programs, and alternative care settings such as family, friend, and neighbor (FFN) care—voluntarily participate in QCSM. These programs demonstrate a strong commitment to continuous quality improvement, exceeding state licensing requirements to ensure children receive high-quality care and a strong foundation for school readiness and beyond. Since July 2014, more than 100 QCSM sites have received ratings or have engaged in quality improvement activities. In alignment with the Quality Continuum Framework, QRIS ratings are conducted by independent CLASS observers using the CLASS 2nd Edition and the CLASS Environment tools.

When early learning sites join QCSM, participants commit to a continuous journey of quality improvement designed to support continuous self-assessment and reflection, beginning with objective rating of their current levels of quality. Participants have access to high-quality training, teacher stipends, technical assistance, coaching, and quality improvement grants.

Through these comprehensive supports, QCSM empowers early learning providers to create enriching, developmentally appropriate environments ensuring San Mateo County’s youngest learners have access to high-quality programs that nurture every child’s potential, enable them to thrive, and prepares them to succeed in kindergarten and beyond.

• First 5 San Mateo
• First 5 San Mateo Regional Hub
• CSPP-QRIS Block Grant
• QCC Quality Improvement Grant
• QCC Workforce Pathways Grant

• First 5 San Mateo
• San Mateo County Office of Education
• Child Care Coordinating Council of San Mateo County
• Child Care Partnership Council
• Representative organization under joint auspices of County Board of Supervisors and County Superintendent
• Institute for Human and Social Development (Head Start & Early Head Start Grantee)
• Peninsula Family Service
• San Mateo Community College District
• Members of the Quality Consortium of Publicly-Funded Child Development Programs
• San Mateo County Board of Supervisors and Human Services Agency

Participating CSPP sites that achieve a Tier 4 or 5 rating through QCSM are eligible to receive an annual QRIS Local Block Grant, calculated based on the number of full- or part-day CSPP classrooms offered at each eligible rated site. To qualify, programs must fulfill all requirements:

• Complete the QCSM QRIS Participation Milestones, including renewing participation agreements (as needed)
• Update site and demographic data annually in Vertical Change (the QCSM database)
• Maintain or update California Workforce Registry profiles
• Apply for the ELC Teacher Stipend
• Participate in PLCs
• Undergo CLASS ratings (based on the rating schedule)
• Update the site’s QIP
• Submit fiscal reports

Grant amounts are determined annually using a rubric that considers both the site’s Tier rating and classroom type. For the 2024–2025 program year, Tier 4 part-day classrooms received $2,300, Tier 4 full-day classrooms received $3,300, Tier 5 part-day classrooms received $4,300, and Tier 5 full-day classrooms received $5,300. Award amounts may vary significantly depending on the size of the program and its Tier rating. Grant amounts are subject to change based on available funding and annual rubric adjustments.

FCC providers participating in QCSM are eligible to receive an annual Quality Improvement Grant (QI Grant) upon completion of the following QCSM Quality Improvement Participation Milestones:

• Renewing participation agreements (as needed)
• Updating site and demographic information annually in Vertical Change (the QCSM database)
• Maintaining or updating California Workforce Registry profiles
• Applying for the ELC Teacher Stipend
• Participating in PLCs
• Updating the site’s QIP
• Submitting end-of-year fiscal reports

FCC providers who meet these requirements receive a baseline Quality Improvement award of approximately $1,000*, with the opportunity to earn additional bonuses—$500* for serving as an ambassador or mentor and $500* for volunteering for unofficial CLASS assessments. Total annual awards typically range from $1,000 to $1,500 per provider, depending on available funding.

*Please note that all award amounts are subject to change based on funding availability.

QCSM offers three types of QI Grants—CSPP QI Grants, CCTR QI Grants, and QCC QI Grants—issued annually to participating sites that complete the required QCSM Quality Improvement Participation Milestones listed above. CSPP QI Grants, typically ranging from $2,000 to $3,000 per site, are awarded to new unrated CSPP sites and those rated at Tier 2 or 3. CCTR QI Grants, also approximately $2,000 to $3,000 per site, are designated for Infant-Toddler classrooms at CSPP sites. QCC QI Grants are intended for non-state-funded programs such as private centers and alternative settings. QCC QI Grants are calculated based on the number of classrooms and are not tied to assessment ratings, with awards similarly ranging from $2,000 to $3,000 per site. These grants are designed to support the implementation of each site’s QIP. Due to funding levels, specific award amounts cannot be guaranteed and may vary.

The San Mateo County Early Learning and Care Career Development Initiative Stipend Program (ELC Stipend), funded by the Workforce Pathways Grant, EETDG, and local QCSM funds, offer financial incentives to qualifying early learning educators in San Mateo County. The ELC Stipend aims to increase the number of qualified ELC professionals, as well as increasing the educational credentials, knowledge, and skills of existing ELC professionals. All eligible ELC professional participating in QCSM programs, including FCC providers, are encouraged to apply. To receive stipends, applicants must (1) complete college coursework leading to permits or degrees, (b) complete approved training in QRIS early learning quality practices, or (c) regularly participate in approved PLC or CoP or community of practice. Stipend amounts range based on the number of eligible applicants, applicant accomplishments, available funding, and identified priorities. Please visit https://www.smcoe.org/elcstipend for additional details and requirements.

We assign a QRIS Coach or Quality Improvement Navigator to support participating sites in developing an initial QIP, selecting appropriate strategies aligned with their goals, and preparing for QRIS ratings (for state-funded programs only). We offer high-quality training focused on QRIS Quality Elements, including promotion of California Early Childhood Online resources. Many trainings are paired with on-site coaching or participation in a peer learning community (PLC). From 2018 to 2020, we prioritized CSEFEL training and coaching for educators and leaders working with preschoolers and infants and toddlers. We continue to provide annual training in the DRDP, ASQ, and teacher-child interactions. We offer intensive multi-day sessions through the Early Childhood Language Development Institute (ECLDI) on best practices for dual language learners and authentic family engagement. From 2024 to 2027, we plan to prioritize trainings that support children’s emotional well-being and promote child-centered, inclusive, anti-bias, anti-racist and equitable practices. We will continue offering courses supporting dual language learners, training in quality inclusion practices, and P–3 early literacy and math.

We support site and agency leadership in creating effective, measurable QIPs and provide targeted coaching to select sites based on funding availability, site readiness, and identified needs. Coaching topics are aligned with the Quality Improvement Framework and may include dual language learning, inclusion, and equity. Programs choose coaching topics and formats based on their specific needs, with coaching delivered in person, online, or through PLCs and communities of practice (CoPs) to enhance accessibility, participation, and impact.

Participating CSPP sites that achieve a Tier 4 or 5 rating through QCSM are eligible to receive an annual QRIS Local Block Grant, calculated based on the number of full- or part-day CSPP classrooms offered at each eligible rated site. To qualify, programs must fulfill all requirements:

• Complete the QCSM QRIS Participation Milestones, including renewing participation agreements (as needed)
• Update site and demographic data annually in Vertical Change (the QCSM database)
• Maintain or update California Workforce Registry profiles
• Apply for the ELC Teacher Stipend
• Participate in PLCs
• Undergo CLASS ratings (based on the rating schedule)
• Update the site’s QIP
• Submit fiscal reports

Grant amounts are determined annually using a rubric that considers both the site’s Tier rating and classroom type. For the 2024–2025 program year, Tier 4 part-day classrooms received $2,300, Tier 4 full-day classrooms received $3,300, Tier 5 part-day classrooms received $4,300, and Tier 5 full-day classrooms received $5,300. Award amounts may vary significantly depending on the size of the program and its Tier rating. Grant amounts are subject to change based on available funding and annual rubric adjustments.

FCC providers participating in QCSM are eligible to receive an annual Quality Improvement Grant (QI Grant) upon completion of the following QCSM Quality Improvement Participation Milestones:

• Renewing participation agreements (as needed)
• Updating site and demographic information annually in Vertical Change (the QCSM database)
• Maintaining or updating California Workforce Registry profiles
• Applying for the ELC Teacher Stipend,
• Participating in PLCs
• Updating the site’s QIP
• Submitting end-of-year fiscal reports

FCC providers who meet these requirements receive a baseline QI award of approximately $1,000, with the opportunity to earn additional bonuses—$500 for serving as an ambassador or mentor and $500 for volunteering for unofficial CLASS assessments. Total annual awards typically range from $1,000 to $1,500 per provider, depending on available funding. Please note that all award amounts are subject to change based on funding availability.

QCSM offers three types of QI Grants—CSPP QI Grants, CCTR QI Grants, and QCC QI Grants—issued annually to participating sites that complete the required QCSM Quality Improvement Participation Milestones listed above. CSPP QI Grants, typically ranging from $2,000 to $3,000 per site, are awarded to new unrated CSPP sites and those rated at Tier 2 or 3. CCTR QI Grants, also approximately $2,000 to $3,000 per site, are designated for Infant-Toddler classrooms at CSPP sites. QCC QI Grants are intended for non-state-funded programs such as private centers and alternative settings. QCC QI Grants are calculated based on the number of classrooms and are not tied to assessment ratings, with awards similarly ranging from $2,000 to $3,000 per site. These grants are designed to support the implementation of each site’s QIP. Due to funding levels, specific award amounts cannot be guaranteed and may vary.

The San Mateo County Early Learning and Care Career Development Initiative Stipend Program (ELC Stipend), funded by the Workforce Pathways Grant, EETDG, and local Quality Counts San Mateo (QCSM) funds offer financial incentives to qualifying early learning educators in San Mateo County. The ELC Stipend aims to increase the number of qualified ELC professionals, as well as the educational credentials, knowledge, and skills of existing ELC professionals. All eligible ELC professional participating in QCSM programs including FCC providers are encouraged to apply. To receive stipends, applicants must (1) complete college coursework leading to permits or degrees, (2) complete approved training in QRIS early learning quality practices, or (3) regularly participate in approved PLCs or CoPs. Stipend amounts range based on the number of eligible applicants, applicant accomplishments, available funding, and identified priorities. Please visit https://www.smcoe.org/elcstipend for additional details and requirements.

An Executive Director of a Multi-Site Non-Profit State Contractor shared: QI Grants have been particularly helpful to my agency, allowing us to improve our learning environments and help support our teachers with their professional development and classroom needs. The external assessments are useful in documenting our quality growth and identifying areas to strengthen.