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Children benefit from high quality early care and education.
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Montana's Best Beginnings STARS to Quality Program provides child care facilities with the tools and support to create high quality settings.
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STARS to Quality is a voluntary system for all child care programs. Programs participating in STARS to Quality work with regional STARS Consultants to assess and improve quality practices. STARS to Quality builds upon the foundation of the state’s Child Care Licensing requirements and provides the opportunity for child care programs to demonstrate achievements that exceed those requirements.
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THE PROCESS
Upon review and verification, programs are awarded a star rating from 1 to 5 (with 5 being the highest quality level). A program that is awarded a rating at any level, including becoming a participant, demonstrates a program’s commitment to continuous quality improvement. It is also referred to as a Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS).
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KEY COMPONENTS
voluntary participation for any licensed child care provider
free STARS approved professional development
free fingerprinting service for STAR 1 and above
research based and national best practice standards
professional coaching and consultation
financial incentives
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