We are Quality Rated!

Quality Rated is a systemic approach to assess, improve, and communicate the level of quality in early and school‐age care and education programs.

What is Quality Rated?

In 2012, the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) launched Quality Rated, a star rating system to improve the quality of early care and education programs as well as provide families with clear information on these programs. Many states have implemented tiered quality rating and improvement systems (QRIS) initiatives similar to Georgia’s, with the goals of raising the quality of early care and education and positively impacting child outcomes.

Similar to rating systems for restaurants and hotels, Quality Rated assigns one, two or three stars to early education and school-age care programs that meet or exceed the minimum state requirements. By participating in Georgia’s voluntary Quality Rated program, programs make a commitment to work continuously to improve the quality of care they provide to children and families.

Quality Rated gives parents and families greater confidence in their child care choice because independent, credentialed experts in early education have assessed whether programs follow best practices, such as:

Employing qualified and well-trained teachers

Providing a safe, healthy and caring environment

Implementing individualized instruction

Offering a curriculum that prepares children for kindergarten

A focus on both active learning and social-emotional development

Engaging families

Providing a low teacher-student ratio