Welcome to the Quality First Application Process

Before you start completing the online application, here are a few things you need to know.

You will have 60 minutes to fill in and submit the application, though it should only take 10-20 minutes to complete. Once you begin your application, you must complete the full process. Information cannot be saved and returned to at a later time.

The following is required information in order to submit your application successfully.

• General contact information for the organization and the site applying (Individual applications are required for each site applying to participate)
• Information regarding any regulatory body with which you are affiliated such as a:
• DHS license number if you are licensed
• DES Certification number
• Tribal grant award number for Tribal Head Start or CCDF programs
• County Type District School (CTDS) number if you are part of an Early Childhood Block Grant program or other Department of Education funded program
• General enrollment and attendance information
• number of children you serve per age group
• number of vacancies you have per age group
• average daily attendance
• Number of children you serve birth through five for whom you receive DES Subsidy (if applicable)
• Number of children you serve birth through five who either receive benefits through the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) or the National School Lunch Program (free or reduced lunch benefits)
• Program staff information
• number of new staff within last 12 months
• numbers of full-time and part-time employees
• numbers of full-time and part-time employees who work directly with children birth through five
• Information regarding current or past participation in a quality improvement or accreditation process
• dates of participation
• expiration dates of accreditations

Applications are accepted at any time. However, limited participation space is available, so it is important to submit your application as soon as you are able. Applications will be scored based on a variety of priorities which include, but are not limited to: the number of children served who receive DES subsidy, hours of operation, care provided for infants and/or toddlers and program access to federal funding.

Programs will be notified of eligibility and selection as openings occur. If chosen, you will be asked to complete a more detailed profile of your program, and a Quality First coach will contact you to conduct an orientation. If not chosen during a selection period, your application will remain in the Quality First database and continue to be considered as new space is made available either through the state or regional funding. Selection dates are located on the First Things First website at http://www.azftf.gov.

After you submit your application, a note will appear on the screen assuring you that your application has been received.

Attempts have been made to make this process as simple as possible. But should you have any questions regarding completing your application, please contact the Quality First office at qualityfirst@azftf.gov or 602-771-5000 or toll-free at 1-877-803-7234.