Quality First Key Components and Principles
1. Quality First was created to improve the early care and education in Arizona so young children can begin school safe, healthy, and ready to succeed. Quality First! will also provide families with information on selecting a quality early care and education setting for their young children.
2. Regulated center-based and family child care home providers are eligible to apply for participation in Quality First Regulated means licensed, certified or monitored by Arizona Department of Health Services, Arizona Department of Economic Security, United States Department of Defense, United States Health and Human Services (Head Start Bureau) or Tribal Governments.
3. Participation in Quality First is voluntary. Multiple financial and support incentives are built in to encourage provider participation.
4. Quality First will be implemented in phases: support provided begins with financing, coaching, child care health consultation and T.E.A.C.H. ® Arizona Scholarships to enhance program improvement. Star ratings for quality will start in 2010.
5. First Things First statewide funds provides support for 300 child care settings (200 centers, and 100 homes) with funding from various Regional Partnership Councils to support additional participants.
6. Programs serving infants and toddlers as well as programs serving high numbers of children receiving DES subsidies will be given priority for enrollement into the statewide funded Quality First system, although all regulated programs submitting applications will be considered for participation.
7. Quality First seeks to establish a culture of continuous improvement toward higher levels of quality to be defined as 3 to 5 stars when the rating system is implemented.
8. Quality First addresses the essential indicators of quality early care and education which include safe, enriching environments, positive adult-child interactions and instructional practices, staff qualifications, family engagement, administrative practices and curriculum.
9. Quality First does not duplicate, but builds upon, the Arizona State Department of Health Services licensing function to ensure the safety, health and well-being of children in out-of-home care.
10. Quality First was developed, and is being implemented, in partnership with a broad base of early childhood stakeholders whose support and participation is critical to quality early care and education.