New York’s Quality Rating & Improvement System
QUALITYstarsNY is New York’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) for early childhood programs, providing support and resources to improve and sustain high quality across New York State. We believe that all early childhood educators are committed to the young children they work with and are always intrinsically motivated to improve their practice. QUALITYstarsNY exists because we believe that early childhood educators across the state deserve the support to engage in continuous quality improvement.
Participate in 
Join QUALITYstarsNY to receive individualized support and resources to enhance the quality of your early childhood program. All types of regulated child care programs are eligible to participate in QUALITYstarsNY at no cost to programs. Interested in participating? Apply now or attend a virtual Information Session to learn more about QUALITYstarsNY and the benefits of participating.
Child Care Deserts Grant
It is required that providers awarded a Child Care Deserts grant participate in Start with Stars, a project of QUALITYstarsNY. Participation in QUALITYstarsNY is valued as a critical resource for newly licensed early childhood programs and we are honored to be included in this historical time of expansion. Start with Stars is an initiative designed, in part, to help newly licensed early childhood programs create a foundation for success right from the start.
Featured Resources
For Providers
NYS Expands Child Care Fee Assistance for Military Families under MCCYN-PLUS
On September 25, the Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood-PLUS (MCCYN-PLUS) program launched in New York State to increase the availability of child care options for the state’s military families. MCCYN-PLUS extends eligibility for the federal military child care fee assistance program to all licensed/registered child care programs in New York State.
Applying for QUALITYstarsNY & Start with Stars
How to get starting with the application process for QUALITYstarsNY & Start with Stars
QUALITYstarsNY Scholarship Now Available for Participants
QUALITYstarsNY has launched a new collaboration with the Early Childhood Career Development Center to offer the QUALITYstarsNY Scholarship. This scholarship can support staff pursuing an early childhood education degree who work at an early childhood program participating in QUALITYstarsNY.
Invest in New York: Child Care Deserts Grant Opportunity
April 20 Update: QUALITYstarsNY has created a new Child Care Deserts Grant webpage with more information about the grant requirement that providers awarded a Child Care Deserts Grant participate [...]
For Families
Quality Care Checklist & Guide
View this guide to the options you have for child care, with a breakdown of the different features of each.
Choosing a quality early care and education program
Check out our brochure for help finding and promoting quality early learning experiences for your child!