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In a rush? Here’s the quick rundown.
Texas Rising Star (TRS) is a quality rating and improvement system (QRIS) for all childcare programs in the Texas Workforce Commission’s (TWC) Child Care Services program.
Simply, TRS is an initiative with the objective to increase the quality of childcare across Texas. Specific criteria is measured and assessed to determine your center’s quality score, and ultimately, your star level certification.
In September 2023, Texas made an official push to increase the quality of childcare by requiring all childcare centers in TWC’S Child Care Services program to meet specified minimum quality standards for Entry Level Designation. Then, they have 24 months to attain at least a 2-star level Texas Rising Star certification.
After Entry Level Designation, there are three star levels: 2-star, 3-star and 4-star. Still, even those with a 2-star rating are meeting minimum standard requirements, and are considered higher quality than most other childcare businesses in Texas.
🌟🌟 Two-star: average score = below 1.80 (less than 60 percent of total possible points)
🌟🌟🌟Three-star: average score = 1.80 (between 60 and 79.9% of total possible points)
🌟🌟🌟🌟Four-star: average score = 2.4 or greater (80% of total possible points)
Centers are encouraged to attain progressively higher certification and star levels with incentives, such as higher reimbursement rates for children receiving scholarships and subsidies.
All childcare centers are assessed on two types of measurements:
TRS eligibility and criteria are grouped into four categories. Below are the four categories that are measured to determine the quality of your childcare business, and ultimately, whether you are given a 2-star, 3-star or 4-star certification:
A great way to help increase the quality of your childcare in the four categories above, and attain a higher star level is with a childcare management software, like Famly.
Childcare management software can automate and streamline many administrative tasks and reporting. However, it is important to find the right childcare management software program for your center, so that it will not only save you time, but also improve the overall quality of your center. Make sure to look for specific features that will enhance the quality of all aspects of your center:
This category is to ensure that all staff have undergone suitable background checks, orientations and training.
It also evaluates professional development, such as ongoing access to training opportunities and resources for all staff, so they can continually enhance their skills as caregivers and educators and boost their confidence in supporting children during their early development.
Using a childcare software management software, like Famly, provides you with features that will help you track, manage, and share staff personnel folders, transcripts, certifications, training plans and resources.
For instance, with individual profiles for every staff member, you can easily find and organize all information for each staff member, including their staff qualifications. There is even the option to create and filter lists based on custom qualifications and certifications. Or plan trainings and events and invite your staff using the Calendar feature.
This is the category with the most influence in your overall score.
When reviewing your center’s teacher-child interactions, TRS is focused on how the relationship is influencing each child’s individual development and learning journey. A child's individual and successful development is largely influenced by positive interactions with their teacher that are personal, warm, nurturing, supportive, and respectful.
In addition to following TRS’s required teacher-child ratio, they review your overall curriculum plan, your learning materials and toys, and daily routines.
It is important that the curriculum and lessons are age and developmentally appropriate. Also, TRS specifies that the curriculum must include lessons that encourage: creative expression, positive self-esteem, social skills, cognitive skills, communication skills, health and safety habits, physical development and acceptance of diversity.
Activities should be varied, some that are staff-initiated and some that are child-initiated, some that are indoors and outdoors, some that allow the children to spend time being quiet and active, and also encourage playing independently, in small groups and in larger groups.
Also, don’t ignore the importance of transitions. Demonstrate that you have planned to support children with predictable transitions, as far as possible, both between activities and care routines. This will support children to navigate changes throughout their day confidently and feel a sense of ownership and independence.
Although activities should vary, routine is important, and every day should have consistent meal times, nap times, etc.
A childcare management software could exponentially improve your teacher-child relationships and interactions. With features like individual child profiles, easy documentation of observations, automated attendance records, daily reports and activity planning and resources, a childcare management software can help you attain a 4-star certification.
Specifically in Famly, these are just a handful of features that will help you score a higher rating in this category:
The main focus of the program administration category is the quality of your center’s parent engagement and family involvement. A higher quality childcare center is one that consistently involves families in the day-to-day and in their children’s development.
How often does staff communicate with families? Can families easily access daily plans and activities? Are there events that parents and carers can attend? Is there a parent advisory board? Do you have ways to effectively communicate with families whose first language is not English?
Within this category, meals and snack times are also assessed. Are they enjoyable experiences? Do the meals encourage a variety of foods, conversations and manners? Are the menus in a place where families can easily access them?
Parent-staff relationships are imperative to children’s early development, as it is the bridge between the childcare and the home environment, and creates a more seamless and holistic development process. One of the best potentials of a childcare management software is its ability to facilitate and foster consistent communication and collaboration between staff and families.
Famly’s features that are listed below will not only help you exceed TRS’s requirements for your overall program administration, but also the quality of your parent-staff relationships.
This category specifically assesses whether your indoor and outdoor environments have an adequate amount of, and a variety of, age and developmentally appropriate equipment, materials and furniture.
TRS has an extended list of specific requirements for this category. For instance, a specific amount of open space free from any furniture, and a designated quiet and private area are required. Outdoor environments should also have open space free from equipment, and some areas should be partially shaded. TRS also checks that your center has adequate equipment for sleeping, diaper changes and feeding.
Of course, health and safety are also a primary factor in your indoor and outdoor environment quality score.
With childcare management softwares, you can keep track of all your documents including maintenance checks, incidents and accidents so that you can keep your indoor and outdoor environments well-maintained, safe, adventurous and fun. As mentioned above, Famly provides you with an activity planner and activity resources to give you fresh ideas for indoor and outdoor activities.
Famly supports Texas Rising Star’s initiative push for high quality childcare, and we want to help you reach 🌟🌟🌟🌟!
Guidance from the Danish Health Ministry, translated in full to English.
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The full recommendations from a working group of over 70 nursery chains in the UK.
Please note: here at Famly we love sharing creative activities for you to try with the children at your setting, but you know them best. Take the time to consider adaptions you might need to make so these activities are accessible and developmentally appropriate for the children you work with. Just as you ordinarily would, conduct risk assessments for your children and your setting before undertaking new activities, and ensure you and your staff are following your own health and safety guidelines.
Try every Famly feature, see what you like, and invite your staff. No commitment, no credit cards. Just a 2-week free trial.
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