Keystone Stars Child Care Quality Initiative

Standards

Training/ Professional Development

Assistance

Resources

Support

Keystone STARS is:

• Pennsylvania's program to promote continuous quality improvement in early learning and school age environments.
  • Quality environments help children to develop in ways that foster success in schools and life.
• An initiative with the research-based Performance Standards as its foundation.
  • The standards are tiered in levels that range from Start with STARS to STAR 4.
• An important part of Pennsylvania's growing early learning system.
  • Keystone STARS works with DPW certified programs, family providers, school-aged programs, Head Start, school districts, and accrediting bodies.
• A valuable tool to increase parental and community awareness of the importance of quality early learning.
  • Keystone STARS is an easily recognizable indication that a program is working on continuous quality improvement.

Early Learning Program

STAR 1

• Site obtains and maintains copies of the appropriate Learning Standards for all age groups in the program.
• Site completes an environment checklist.

Partnerships with Family and Community

STAR 1

• Families are provided information about their community and transitioning their child to other educational settings
• A "Getting to Know You" meeting is held with parents within 60 days of enrollment.

Leadership and Management

STAR 1

• Program develops and distributes a Parent Handbook
• Illnesses and injuries are tracked, and a prevention plan is enacted.
• A staff meeting has been held within the past six months.

The Keystone STARS program

• Provides Standards, Training/Professional Development, Assistance, Resources, and Support (STARS) to facilitate continuous quality improvement.
• Is administered by six Early Learning Regional Keys. The Regional Key provides assistance to STARS providers with resources, the STARS Performance Standards and Worksheets, and professional development opportunities.

More information about Keystone Stars please see: Keystone Stars