Bal Swan Awarded a Four Star Rating from Qualistar

What is a Qualistar Rating?
Developed by 150 early childhood experts, the Qualistar Rating measures quality in licensed early learning programs that serve children birth to kindergarten. This four star rating system (with four being the highest) outlines the strengths and weaknesses of the program and provides a detailed plan for continuous quality improvement.

Trained observers, who spend several hours in each classroom, collect information on five different quality components. All of the points that programs earn in each of these quality components are added together to arrive at a Qualistar Rating.

In the Qualistar Rating process, programs are evaluated on five different quality components. These components include:

• Learning Environment, Points are awarded based on average scores obtained through ECERS-R/ITERS or FDCRS Classroom Environment Tool (Based on the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-Revised (ECERS-R) ©1998, Harms, Clifford & Cryer and the Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale (ITERS) © 1990 Harms, Clifford & Cryer)
  Score for component : 0-10 points
• Bal Swan received 8/10 points. The classrooms include many developmentally appropriate materials in a wide range of interest areas. The materials are enhanced through the interactions and activities presented by the teachers. The program provides a language rich environment, where children are encouraged to expand their language and reasoning skills throughout the day. The interactions between the teachers and the children are exceptional. The teachers are very responsive to the children are exceptional. The teachers are very responsive to the children and treat each child with respect. The high level of respect modeled by the teachers, attributes to the pro-social behaviors exhibited by the children.

• Family Partnerships
  Points are awarded for information on communication, collaboration, and family involvement opportunities collected through family questionnaires and program documentation. Need 60% return rate for centers and 80% for homes on Family Questionnaires.
  Score for component : 0-10 points
• Bal Swan received 10/10 points. The parents report the program provides them information on their child's progress, interest, and activities on a routine basis. Parents are an active part of the program. Parents have many opportunities to participate in their child's program, are involved in making decisions that impact the program and the parents evaluate the program on a routine basis.

• Training and Education
  Points are awarded to individual child care providers based on formal training and experience with separate requirements for center administrators and child care providers/home providers.
  Score for component : 0-10 points
• Bal Swan received 8/10 points. The formal education and training of the teachers is reflected in their quality interactions with children and in the variety of activities promoting language, social skills, art, science, blocks, and dramatic play.
  
• Adult-to-Child Ratios and Group Size
  Points are awarded on adult: child ratio and overall classroom group size. Score for component : 0-10 points
• Bal Swan received 10/10 points. The program's low adult to child ratios and group size are associated with quality teacher child interaction, more individualized interactions, and less restrictive teacher behavior.

• Accreditation
  Points are awarded for receiving and maintaining program accreditation through an approved organization. Score for component : 0 or 2 points
• Bal Swan received 0/2 points. The high quality programs offered by Bal Swan make them a strong candidate to achieve accreditation through a national agency.

Qualistar Early Learning is the result of an innovative merger in 2004 of two of Colorado 's non-profit leaders in early education – Educare Colorado and the Colorado Office of Resource and Referral Agencies (CORRA).

Educare along with many community leaders created what is known today as the Qualistar Rating, which measures the quality of child care and preschool programs across the state.

To learn more about Qualistar, please visit their website at www.qualistar.org