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Ex cellence C ounts in E arly L earning and S chool Age Care. What is ?. Maryland EXCELS is a Tiered Quality Rating and Improvement System (TQRIS). A TQRIS awards ratings to child care and public pre-K programs that meet increasingly
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Whatis ? • Maryland EXCELS is a Tiered Quality Rating and Improvement System (TQRIS). • A TQRIS awards ratings to child care and public pre-K programs that meet increasingly higher standards in key areas of quality.
Goals of TO: • Recognize child care and public pre-K programs for meeting higher standards. • Encourage providers to increase the level of quality in their programs. • Provide families with information and choices about quality child care care and early education programs.
: The Process Early learning experiences last a lifetime. COMMUNICATE
Benefits of • Access information, resources, and technical assistance: • Program Coordinators • EXCELS Quality Assurance Specialists • EXCELS Credentialing Liaison • Child Care Resource and Referral staff • Use your EXCELS quality rating in marketing and advertising • Enjoy financial incentives: • Program Bonus • Credential Bonus • Tiered Reimbursement (at levels 3-5) • Discounts on materials and services We’re here to help!
Incentives • Program Bonuses - awarded to participating programs based on the Check Level rating. • Incentives, Grants and Supports - participating programs and their staff (if applicable) have access to quality improvement incentives, grants and supports. • Credential Bonuses – full bonus amounts are available to the participating providers and staff. • Tiered Reimbursement – additional funding for each child receiving child care subsidy (Levels 3-5) *Frequency and Amount of Bonus payments to participating programs: Levels 1-3 - one time only upon attainment of Check Level Levels 4 & 5 – full amount upon attainment, frequency and on-going amount to be determined.
Quality Assurance Specialists • Information to programs and groups about Maryland EXCELS • Regional and on-site consultation and support • Monitoring visits for Maryland EXCELS programs Dianna C. Aguirre Sara R. Martin Find your Region’s Quality Assurance Specialist at: marylandexcels.org
Website marylandexcels.org
Standards • Licensing and Compliance • Rating Scales and Accreditation • Staffing and Professional Development • Developmentally Appropriate Learning and Practice • Administrative Policies and Practices
Check Level Standard Criteria Category (not all standards are broken down into categories) Documentation
Viewing the Standards Online • Maryland EXCELS is a block rating system. • Overall check level rating is based on the highest level achieved in • each content area.
Additional Achievements Asthma Friendly Child Care • PAUs available for staff and directors • For more information, contact Rachel Hess-Mutinda at rhessmutinda@dhmh.state.md.us or call 410-767-2196 Health and Wellness • Participate in one of these initiatives: • Let’s Move! Child Care Quiz and Action Planhealthykidshealthyfuture.org • Nutrition & Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care gonapsacc.org • Healthy Howard (for programs in Howard County)healthyhowardmd.org
Additional Achievements Program Administration Scale (PAS) and Business Administration Scale (BAS) • PAS (for centers)/BAS (for family child care) help programs prepare for success in Maryland EXCELS by: • Identifying best practices • Providing samples of policies and procedures • Offering advanced training in key administrative areas • PAUs available for staff and directors • For more information, contact Audrey Smith at 410-332-0816 or audrey.smith@msde.state.md.us
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Providers Speak Out About “Maryland EXCELS…is online and easy to navigate; you are assigned a Program Coordinator who will help you if you have any questions or if you’re having trouble with something…. I encourage other providers to participate in Maryland EXCELS.” • Crystal Barksdale, Family Child Care Provider, Baltimore County “[Maryland EXCELS] is a “win win”…it gives you the opportunity to improve the quality of your program, parents are able to access a rating for your center, and you can receive incentives from MSDE at various levels.” • Heidi Garlick, Director, Chesapeake College Early Childhood Development
Countdown Begins… Child care and early education programs accepting Child Care Subsidy have until January 1, 2015 to submit their Maryland EXCELS application to continue receiving reimbursements. Apply now at MarylandExcels.org! No Computer? No problem! Sign-up and Support sessions are taking place throughout the state. Computers will be available, with assistance to help you sign-up on-site. Don’t Wait... Participate!
Website: marylandexcels.org E-mail: admin@marylandexcels.org