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Keystone STARS

General Information About
OCDEL's Keystone STARS Program

Resources & Information
for Current STARS Providers

Program Information To Share
with Parents, Guardians & Families

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Keystone STARS is Pennsylvania’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). A QRIS is a continuous quality improvement systemic approach to assess, improve, and communicate the level of quality in early and school-age care and education programs. Keystone STARS is a program of Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL).

Our Guiding Principles

keystone stars dark blue logo

Keystone STARS is a responsive system to improve, support, and recognize the continuous quality improvement efforts of early learning programs in Pennsylvania. Our system is guided by three core principles:

  • A whole child approach to education is essential to meeting the holistic and individual needs of each and every child and family.
  • Knowledgeable and responsive early childhood education (ECE) professionals and educators are essential to the development of children and the support of families.
  • Building and sustaining ongoing positive relationships among children, families, early care and education professionals and community stakeholders is essential for the growth and development of every child.

Keystone STARS has four primary goals:

1

To improve the quality of early care and education;

2

To support early care and education providers in meeting their quality improvement goals;

3

To recognize programs for continuous quality improvement and meeting higher quality standards; and

4

To provide families a way to choose a quality early care and education program.

Improving Quality Through

Keystone STARS

Standards
Training & Professional Development
Assessment
Resources and
Support

OCDEL’s Keystone STARS Program supports all early care and education programs to improve program quality. We encourage programs to think about the Keystone STARS Performance Standards as a tool to support continuous quality improvement (CQI) that impacts services to the children and families in your care.

Benefits for Children and Families Include the Following:

  • Quality ECE promotes children’s healthy development and early learning.
  • Quality ECE programs allow families to have confidence that their children are in a safe, respectful environment.
  • Keystone STARS help families identify quality child care programs that best meet the needs of their children.
  • Reliable quality child care allows families to focus on work, education, or training and results in fewer absences due to child care issues; and
  • Quality ECE programs help families locate additional resources within the community that can further support the needs of their children.

Benefits for Providers Include the Following:

  • Providers receive individualized support and assistance from Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Quality Coaches;
  • Providers can receive grants, awards, and other financial supports as offered;
  • Providers can participate in supportive professional development;
  • Providers benefit from the outreach and marketing of Keystone STARS to families; and
  • Providers can receive increased Child Care Works (CCW) payments based on quality level.

A Quality Coach is a supportive partner who works alongside early learning programs to strengthen quality and support continuous improvement. Whether you are new to Keystone STARS or working to maintain or advance your STAR level, your Quality Coach is there to guide, connect, and encourage you every step of the way.

The Keystone STARS program interested me because I am always striving to do my best and reach my goals. Being able to reach out to the people in Keystone STARS and getting the help I needed, when I needed it, is most valuable to me.
Maeanne
A Provider in Fayette County
Making the Commitment to Quality

Eligibility Requirements

  • The child care program holds a current, full Certificate of Compliance from the Department of Human Services;
  • The program holds a current private preschool academic license from Pennsylvania’s Department of Education; and
  • The program is in good standing with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Revenue.

All participating early care and education programs can receive technical assistance to support continuous quality improvement. Certified and compliant programs are welcomed to Keystone STARS by receiving STAR 1 designation. Programs such as Early Head Start and Head Start programs and Pennsylvania Department of Education Private Academic Preschools are not required to be certified by the Department of Human Services, but are eligible to participate in Keystone STARS.

Next Steps

The first step on a program’s continuous quality improvement (CQI) journey is connecting with a Quality Coach at the local Early Learning Resource Center (visit raiseyourstar.org and search by county or zip code). Quality Coaches are available to help identify a program’s strengths and opportunities for growth. All programs hoping to advance through STAR levels should begin with making a connection with your most supportive resource–your Quality Coach

Support is available to help providers become compliant with Certification regulation. If you have questions about compliance, contact your Certification Representative at your local Regional Office.

For questions regarding eligibility for Keystone STARS, contact your local Early Learning Resource Center (visit raiseyourstar.org and search by county or zip code).