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Quality through Accreditation is a quality facilitation project for early care and education center-based programs. It was developed as a means for supporting improved quality early care and education in the bi-state Quad Cities region.
The goal of Quality through Accreditation is to raise quality in the bi-state Quad Cities region through a comprehensive and systematic approach. Participating centers are pioneers as they help the project, the field, and themselves forge new ground in quality assessment, implementation, and maintenance.
THE APPROACH
The Quality through Accreditation approach, which varies slightly by state, covers a twelve month period. The approach is as follows:
1. An initial base assessment using valid and reliable instruments?Infant
Toddler Environmental Rating Scale, Revised (ITERS-R) and Early Childhood
Environmental Rating Scale, Revised (ECERS-R).
2. A site specific quality improvement plan based on base assessment
findings.
3. Ten site visits from a quality enhancement mentor.
4. Monthly Cohort Meetings.
5. Additional training as needed.
6. Observation and job-shadowing at a designated demonstration site.
7. In Iowa, help with the Quality Rating Scale.
8. In Iowa, training using the ECERS-R and ITERS-R for self-assessment.
9. In Illinois, Program Administrator Scale assessment (PAS).
10. National accreditation support
11. Membership to NAEYC.
12. Post ITERS-R and ECERS-R assessment.
THE OBJECTIVES
In the short term, Quality through Accreditation's objective is to raise Environmental Rating Scale scores and/or Quality Rating System levels.
In the long term, Quality through Accreditation's objective is to increase the number of early care and education centers achieving and maintaining national accreditation.
THE TEAM
The Quality through Accreditation project utilizes the talents of a volunteer Steering Committee as well as a cadre of paid professional consultants. Consultants work directly with participating programs as the project coordinator, assessors, mentors, and cohort facilitators.
The project is currently in need of more ITERS-R assessors. In order to be considered, applicants must train in the instrument with an official ITERS-R trainer and be working toward or maintaining inter-rater reliability. Applicants must also have experience in the field of early care and education. A bachelor degree in the early care and education field is preferred. Contact the Project Coordinator for more information.
PARTICIPATING PROGRAMS
Area centers that have completed the Quality through Accreditation project:
Rock Island County, Illinois
* In a Kid's World, Rock Island, IL
* It's A Child's World, Silvis, IL
* Just Kids Early Care and Education Centers, Inc., Milan, IL
* Messiah Lutheran Preschool, Port Byron, IL
* Mrs. T's Calling All Kids, Rock Island, IL
* Villa Montessori School, Moline, IL
Scott County, Iowa
* Calvary Methodist Pre-school, Walcott, IA
* Children's Garden, Davenport, IA
* Creative Beginnings, Davenport, IA
* Friendly House, Davenport, IA
* Hand in Hand, Bettendorf, IA
* Holy Family Teddy Bear Club, Davenport, IA
* Imagination Corner, Davenport, IA
* Kiddie Karrasel, LeClaire, IA
* Little Blessings, Davenport, IA
* Our Savior Lutheran Preschool, Bettendorf, IA
* Immanuel Lutheran Preschool, Davenport, IA
* Noah's Ark, Blue Grass, IA
* Positive Parenting at Trinity, Davenport, IA
* Quad City Montessori School, Davenport, IA
* Rivermont Collegiate Preschool, Bettendorf, IA
* St. Marks, Davenport IA
* Scott County YMCA Child Care )Bettendorf Christian Church), Bettendorf, IA
* Shining Light Learning Center, Davenport, IA
* Scott County Family Y Child Care (Downtown Center), Davenport, IA
* Scott County Family Y Child Care (Palmer Center), Davenport, IA
* Skip-a-long (Davenport Campus), Davenport, IA
* Westside Christian Day Care and Preschool, Davenport, IA
THE SCHEDULE
For an up-to-date schedule, please contact the Project Coordinator.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
Participating early care and education center-based programs are chosen through an application process. The process includes a written request for consideration and an on-site visit by the project's Site Selection Committee. Participating programs are chosen on the basis of their commitment to raising quality. Current quality level and/or national accreditation readiness is not a factor in Quality through Accreditation participation.
Illinois Quad Cities
Illinois Quad Cities early care and education centers interested in national accreditation may apply to the Illinois Statewide Accreditation Mentoring Project (SAM). SAM is an initiative of Illinois AEYC. Find information and applications at www.IllinoisAEYC.org The local SAM cohort meets the second Thursday of each month. Contact the QtA Project Coordinator for more details.
Scott County, Iowa
Eligibility Applications are now being accepted for QtA in Scott County, Iowa. QtA is open to any interested early care and education center-based program dependent on funding. Application process Each prospective center submits a letter of application with the following information:
- QtA application form (contact coordinator)
- Accompanying documents (optional if program does not have currently):
- Program brochure
- Parent handbook
- Program mission, goals, vision, and action plans
When completed, send application to:
Jennifer Praet QTA Project Coordinator
907 E 6th Street
Coal Valley, IL 61240
THE SELECTION PROCESS
Potential centers will be selected from the initial application process by a QtA center selection committee. Selected potential centers will be visited by representatives of the center selection committee. This visit is an initial assessment of the center so that the QtA ensures service to a broad range of quality levels and geographic locations. The center visit is also to assess the center's commitment to the project. The center selection committee will select centers based on application materials and center visit. Selected centers will sign a QtA letter of commitment for a nine to twelve month process. If a selected center either chooses to leave the project or is asked to leave the project due to non-compliance with the project's work, the selected center will lose all benefits.
For information contact:
Jennifer Praet, Project Coordinator
Quad Cities AEYC/Quality through Accreditation
907 E 6th Street
Coal Valley, IL 61240
Phone: 309-721-1650
Fax: Call ahead for fax number, please
Our Partners
Quality through Accreditation is a partnership project. To this end, we partner with the following organizations:
* Black Hawk Community College
* Community Child Care Resource & Referral
* Illinois Association for the Education of Young Children
* Illinois Statewide Accreditation Mentoring Project
* Iowa Association for the Education of Young Children
* Iowa State University Extension
* St. Ambrose University Children's Campus
* Scott Community College
* United Way of the Quad Cities Area
* University of Illinois Extension
OUR FUNDERS
Quality through Accreditation is pleased to receive funding from the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend and The Moline Foundation. Quality through Accreditation is a collaborating partner with the Illinois Statewide Accreditation Mentoring Project.
Click on the logos below to learn more about these organizations.
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Quad Cities AEYC
P.O. Box 3062
Rock Island, Illinois 61201
Contact: President,
Angie Mapes 563-289-3946
Email: Info@quadcitiesaeyc.com
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