• Marin Quality Counts: Promoting Excellence in Early Care and Education

     

    MARIN QUALITY COUNTS

     

    Marin Quality Counts is a collaborative initiative promoting excellence in early care and education for programs, providers and families. In addition to professional early learning support, such as coaching, professional learning and technical assistance, our work includes the Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS) for Marin County. 

  • Who is eligible to participate in Marin Quality Counts?

     

    • Private Center-based Programs
    • Family Child Care Homes & Providers
    • Early Head Start and Head Start
    • State-funded Preschools and Child Care Programs
    • License Exempt Early Learning Programs
    • Early Intervention and Special Education programs serving children birth to age five
    • Eligible Alternative Sites serving young children, such as libraries and play groups
    • Family, Friend, and Neighbor, such as nannies and family members

  • What does participation involve?

    Your program decides their level of commitment, and each staff person decides how they participate.*

     

    • Professional Learning Participation Level 
      • Access to free ECE professional learning programs at Marin County Office of Education & Marin Child Care Council.
      • Eligible staff & providers have access to incentives and awards to support quality improvement & professional and academic growth.**
    • Professional Learning and Coaching Participation Level
      • Access to free ECE professional learning programs at Marin County Office of Education & Marin Child Care Council.
      • Eligible staff & providers have access to incentives and awards to support quality improvement & professional and academic growth.**
      • Participating programs may apply for Technical Assistance to create & implement a Quality Action Plan (Up to 10 hours per program year).**
      • Participating programs may apply for informal assessment using CLASS and ERS tools to inform Quality Action Plans.**
    • Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS) Participation Level)*
      • Access to free ECE professional development at Marin County Office of Education & Marin Child Care Council.
      • Eligible staff have access to incentives and awards to support quality improvement & professional and academic growth.**
      • Eligible programs may apply for Quality Coaching support and technical assistance to support and implement a Quality Action Plan (Up to 20 hours per program year).**
      • CLASS and ERS assessments to inform Quality Action Plan and QRIS Rating.
      • Formal Assessment (QRIS Rating).
      • Recognition and Awards.

     

    *QRIS Participation Level is the required entry point for California State Preschool Programs

    **Based on availability of assessors and funding

     

    How do programs apply to participate in Marin Quality Counts?

     

    For questions, please contact:

                  Tanya Taylor, Marin County Office of Education at ttaylor@marinschools.org 

                  Jody Stamps, Marin Child Care Council at jody@mc3.org

  • What is the Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS)?

     

    QRIS is a voluntary program focused on providing information, resources and support to early care and education programs and providers serving children, birth through age five. Our goal is to enhance the quality of early learning programs and recognize the valuable work that is being done in our county. Information, resources and support are provided in the following areas:

    • Child Development and School Readiness
    • Social Emotional Development
    • Health, Nutrition and Physical Activity
    • Effective Teacher-Child Interactions
    • Professional Development
    • Environment
    • Program Administration
    • Family Engagement

     

    Currently, only California State Preschool Program sites are rated in Marin County.