Understanding State Quality Rating Systems 2026

Most states have Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS) that rate childcare quality. Understanding what these ratings mean helps you use them effectively in your childcare search.

Quality ratings

What Is QRIS?

Definition

Quality Rating and Improvement Systems:

State-run quality assessment
Rates childcare programs
Usually star ratings
Beyond basic licensing
Improvement support

How It Works

Programs are assessed on:

Staff qualifications
Learning environment
Curriculum
Family engagement
Administration
Health and safety

Star Ratings

What They Mean

Typical structure: | Rating | Meaning | |--------|---------| | 1 star | Meets licensing requirements | | 2 stars | Beginning quality steps | | 3 stars | Achieving quality standards | | 4 stars | Higher quality achieved | | 5 stars | Highest quality level |

Not All States Use Stars

Variations:

Some use different scales
Some use tiers or levels
Terminology varies
Check your state's system
All indicate quality levels

What Ratings Measure

Common Categories

Typically assessed:

Staff education and training
Learning environment
Curriculum and activities
Teacher-child interactions
Family involvement
Business practices

Specific Indicators

May include:

Teacher credentials
Ongoing training hours
Classroom observations
Accreditation status
Health and safety practices
Administrative quality

Using Ratings in Your Search

As a Starting Point

Ratings help:

Narrow options
Identify quality programs
Compare programs
Understand standards
Start your search

Limitations

Understand:

Participation may be voluntary
Not all programs rated
Quality varies within ratings
Snapshot in time
Not the only factor

How to Use

Best approach:

Check ratings if available
Use as one factor
Still visit and observe
Trust your assessment
Consider other indicators

Finding Ratings

Where to Look

Resources:

State childcare website
CCR&R agencies
Quality improvement agencies
Individual program websites
Ask programs directly

What to Look For

Check:

Current rating
When last assessed
What criteria used
Available documentation
Rating explanation

If Rating Is Low

What It May Mean

Possible reasons:

Not participating in system
Still improving
New program
Resources limited
Choice not to participate

Questions to Ask

If program has low rating:

Why the current rating?
What are you working on?
What's your improvement plan?
What would raise your rating?
Why haven't you achieved higher?

If Program Isn't Rated

Possible Reasons

Programs may not participate because:

Voluntary in most states
New program
Resource constraints
Choice not to participate
System limitations

What to Do

If not rated:

Ask why
Use other quality indicators
Look at licensing record
Check accreditation
Observe carefully

Beyond Ratings

Other Quality Indicators

Also consider:

Accreditation (NAEYC, etc.)
Licensing history
Staff qualifications
Your observations
Parent feedback

Your Assessment Matters

Don't ignore:

What you see
How you feel
Staff interactions
Children's engagement
Your instincts

Advocacy and Improvement

How Ratings Help

QRIS supports:

Quality improvement
Technical assistance
Resources for programs
Higher standards
Accountability

Community Impact

Better ratings mean:

Higher quality available
Improved outcomes
Workforce development
System improvement
Better options

Key Takeaways

QRIS provides:

Quality assessment
Comparison tool
Beyond licensing
Improvement support

Use ratings to:

Start your search
Compare programs
Identify quality
Ask questions

Understand limitations:

Not all participate
Snapshot in time
One factor among many
Still do your research

Check ratings by:

State childcare website
CCR&R agencies
Asking programs
Quality improvement sites

Remember:

Ratings are helpful
Not the only factor
Your assessment matters
Visit and observe
Trust yourself

Quality ratings are a useful tool in your childcare search, but they're one piece of the puzzle. Use them alongside your own observations and research.

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