Click on the standard below to see specific resources associated with each standard for center/school based programs.

Are you struggling with a particular standard?  Contact your local Child Care Resource and Referral Agency.  They can offer licensed child care programs technical assistance and consultation on ExceleRate standards.

1. Teaching & Learning

1A. Learning Environment

1B. Curriculum

1C. Instructional Quality

1D. Child Screening

1E. Child Assessment

1F. Inclusion of Children with Special Needs

2. Family & Community Engagement

2A. Family & Community Engagement

2B. Transitions

3. Leadership & Management

3A. Program Administration

3B. Group Size and Staff/Child Ratios

3C. Continuous Quality Improvement

3D. Culturally & Linguistically Appropriate Practice

4. Qualifications & Continuing Education

4A. Director Qualifications

4B. Staff Qualifications

4C. Staff Development

Alignment Information for QRS Rated Centers

As a current Quality Counts Quality Rating System (QRS) center, your program has been dually enrolled in QRS and ExceleRate Illinois.  In order to align with ExceleRate, your program must develop and implement a Continuous Quality Improvement Plan (CQIP) to address the additional and/or unmet standards.

To support the development of your program’s CQIP, the following items are available:

• ExceleRate Illinois Gold Circle of Quality - Quality Counts: Quality Rating System (QRS) Licensed Center Alignment Crosswalk (264 KB)
• ExceleRate Illinois Silver Circle of Quality - Quality Counts: Quality Rating System (QRS) Licensed Center Alignment Crosswalk (262 KB)
• Continuous Quality Improvement Plan (CQIP) template found under the Specific Tools heading
• Resources by Standard
• Programs should also refer to their last Environment Rating Scales (ERS) assessment scores.
• Contact your local Child Care Resource and Referral Agency for technical assistance and consultation services.  They can also assist with developing a CQIP.

To apply and submit your alignment documentation, please use the Licensed Child Care Center application below with the appropriate supplement by the date specified in your crosswalk notification letter.

  Licensed Child Care Center Application (291 KB)

  Silver Circle of Quality Supplement for QRS Rated Center Alignment (359 KB)

  Gold Circle of Gold Circle of Quality Supplement for QRS Rated Center Alignment (233 KB)

If your program is provisionally enrolled at a Silver Circle of Quality but decides to apply for the Gold Circle of Quality, all standards as stated on the Gold Circle of Quality chart, including the completion of an assessment would need to be met at the time of application. The Gold Circle of Quality chart is available for use in meeting the full requirements.

We are building an extensive list of resources for Licensed Family Child Care.  Currently we are only able to share a couple resources, but check back often as this list will grow over time.

Click on the standard below to see specific resources associated with each standard for licensed family child care programs.  Not all standards have resources at this time.

Are you struggling with a particular standard?  Contact your local Child Care Resource and Referral Agency.  They can offer licensed child care programs technical assistance and consultation on ExceleRate standards.

Town Square is an online resource available to Family Child Care providers.  Town Square understands that family child care is essential to providing quality care for all children. They value the work of providers and understand the unique challenges you face balancing the needs of your home and small business.  They have organized the resources on Town Square so you can quickly get answers, have resources at your fingertips, and stay connected to your colleagues and other professionals. 

1. Teaching & Learning

1A. Learning Environment

1B. Safe and Healthy Environment

1C. Interactions

1D. Curriculum and Child Assessment

1E. Child Screening

1F. Inclusion of Children with Special Needs

1G. Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate practice

2. Family & Community Engagement

2A. Family-Provider Communication and Collaboration 

2B. Connecting and Supporting Families

2C. Transitions

3. Leadership & Management

3A. Business Management

3B. Ratios

3C. Continuous Quality Improvement

4. Qualifications & Continuing Education

4A. FCC Provider Qualifications

4B. FCC Assistant and Substitute Qualifications

4C. FCC Provider Support

4D. Ongoing Professional Development