STAR level 1

• A full DPW Child Care Certificate of Compliance or Registration for a year.
• A plan to increase early care and education professional development and training for the staff.
• Increased staff communication via team meetings.
• A completed self-assessment on quality items in the environment.

____________________________________________________________________

STAR level 2

• Director and staff must receive at least three to six hours more annual professional development and training than DPW regulations require.
• One-third of the staff completed or are enrolled in credentials or degrees.
• Learning materials such as books, blocks, puzzles, music, and art supplies are available for some of the day.
• The facility has a budget and provides at least one benefit to staff.
• Some involvement of parents in the program.
• A plan to address needs found in a standardized self-assessment of the program.

 ______________________________________________________________________

STAR level 3

• Even more professional development and training hours than STAR 2 requires.
• Half of the staff completed or are enrolled in credentials or degrees.
• Learning materials are available for a large part of the day.
• Literacy activities, including reading to children, storytelling, and encouraging written and verbal communication take place often during the day.
• Increased parental involvement.
• Written policies and procedures.
• Implementation of a financial system, increased staff compensation, and benefits.

 _______________________________________________________________________________

STAR level 4

• Even more professional development and training hours than STAR 3 requires.
• Two-thirds of the staff completed or are enrolled in credentials or degrees.
• Activities designed to encourage communication, both written and verbal, occur naturally in the day.
• Parental and community resources are used effectively in the delivery of quality child care.
• Business, organizational, and staff compensation practices are maximized.
• A review of the facility by a nationally recognized environmental rating scale that indicates a high-quality score.