The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is committed to continuously improving our Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS), and we know that there is more work to be done.
A recent article from Mathematica about QRIS and links to child outcomes identifies some of the issues in the early stages of QRIS development.
DCYF is pleased to see that this report points to evidence that Washington State is on the right track. Early Achievers (Washington State’s QRIS) is increasing the quality of care, therefore shifting the perception of early learning in Washington.
The Early Achievers Standards Validation Study found that participation in Early Achievers is linked with positive outcomes for children. That’s cause for celebration for Washington’s children and families.
Washington is one of the nation’s leaders in the field of early learning, and we believe that every child should have the chance for a strong start. Early Achievers is a fundamental part of our early learning system.