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Early Educators

Introducing a new Quality Counts California dashboard for all educators!

Quality Counts California (QCC) provides resources for early learning and care educators to support relationship-based nurturing environments for children, support positive family engagement strategies, connect program standards to positive child outcomes, and promote their quality programs. Whether you are part of a school-based, community-based, center-based, family child care, or family, friend, and neighbor setting, you will find content here relevant to you.

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  • Overview of the Quality Process

    Quality Counts California (QCC) provides resources for early learning and care providers to support relationship-based nurturing environments for children, support positive family engagement …

  • Why Participate in a QIS

    As an early learning and care provider, you can have a positive, lifelong impact on a child’s life. Research shows that children who attend high-quality, early childhood programs are happier, …

Launchpad

Community Care Licensing

The Child Care Licensing Program provides oversight and enforcement for licensed child care centers and family child care homes throughout California. The core mission of the Child Care Licensing Program is to ensure the health and safety of children in care. Questions regarding the program can be directed to your local regional office, the Child Care Advocate Program at (916-654-1541), or the Centralized Complaint and Information Bureau.

Universal Prekindergarten

Universal Prekindergarten logo
Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) is an umbrella term that includes the California State Preschool Program and Transitional Kindergarten at the California Department of Education (CDE), as well as Head Start, district and local community-based preschool programs, early learning services for students with disabilities, private-pay preschool, and expanded learning options to support access to a full day of services.

The CDE recognizes the power of a diverse education workforce that reflects the community, including the language and cultural characteristics of the communities they serve. Investments have been made to provide an unprecedented opportunity to build and maintain a diverse pipeline of qualified and effective preschool to grade 3 educators including teachers, teacher aides, and special education teachers. Find more workforce support questions and answers in the Universal Prekindergarten FAQs – Elementary (CDE).

Learning Opportunities

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Resources

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Infant Toddler Learning and Development Foundations, Revised!

The newly-revised California Infant–Toddler Learning and Development Foundations (ITLDF) describe the development infants and toddlers often attain during the birth-to-three age period. This …

FAQs

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What is the difference between a Quality Improvement System (QIS) and a Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS)?

Both QIS and QRIS engage early learning and care programs, also known as early care and education programs, in a continuous quality improvement process based on a common set of program quality standards. A QRIS includes quality ratings.

Quality Counts California (QCC) includes both a QIS and a QRIS, as ratings are required for California State Preschool Programs. The quality elements measured by QCC ratings comprise the continuous quality improvement framework for all QCC-participating programs.

Why participate in QIS

Participating in a QIS demonstrates a commitment to quality and continuous growth. QCC can help you with resources and supports to build your care program. Find out more, including testimonials.

How can I sign up to participate in QCC?

Your local QCC Lead Agency can provide more information about local quality improvement efforts in the early learning and care system, including the onboarding process and upcoming professional learning opportunities. Find your local QCC.

What is Quality Counts California (QCC)?

Quality Counts California (QCC) is a statewide initiative dedicated to supporting and improving the quality of early care and education throughout California. The goal of QCC is to ensure consistent high-quality early care and education experiences for California’s infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children, whether in center-based or home-based programs.

The initiative is a partnership at the state level, by the California Department of Education (CDE), First 5 California (F5CA), and the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), and is implemented at the county or regional level through locally tailored and operated Quality Improvement Systems (QIS) and Quality Rating Improvement Systems (QRIS).

Help! Where to find support

If you have questions related to Quality Counts California, please complete the website contact form or email [email protected]. Recommend a resource or learning opportunity for this audience.