Providers

The foundation of the Kern Early Stars program is based on

• the level of education/training the provider has received
• interactions between adults and child,
• child development and school readiness
• Program and Environment

Through this new program, “Hubs” will be created in many areas of the county to allow easier access for providers to obtain training and encourage networking and collaboration. In addition to the training and resources offered, the Kern Early Stars program includes educational, professional development and material incentives. Programs enrolled in the Kern Early Stars program have the opportunity to work with coaches to understand their strengths and develop techniques to provide better care for the children they are entrusted with. They receive tips and learning materials to help improve their physical environments and enhance curriculum. Programs can also be linked to local experts in early childhood, mental health and those supporting children with special needs. Sites/providers entering the Rating component of the KES may also be eligible for reimbursement for some college coursework in early childhood.

Kern Early Stars will come along side of programs and providers to help support them in what they do best, helping prepare children for success in kindergarten and beyond.

What Are The Star Ratings?

Centers and family child care providers will voluntarily participate with training and resources to help them enhance the quality of their program. Some sites will eventually reach the point of participating with a “Rating” process in which they can obtain points in specific areas of quality. The areas of quality include:

• • Interactions Between Adults and Children
  • Children’s Health and Development
  • Learning Experiences that Support School Readiness Skills
  • Ratios and Group Sizes
  • Safe and Age Appropriate Environments
  • A High Level of Training and Education for Providers
    Stars are awarded to a program based on point values in each of these areas. Along with the star rating, the program will also receive a report card. Just like a report card given in school breaks down a child’s achievements in individual classes, the Kern Early Stars report card will show how a program scored in each individual element. This report card gives the program a way to share with families the areas they excel in, as well as the areas they are continuing to strengthen. Participating providers set goals and have the opportunity to earn more stars based on a new rating that will take place every other year.

Weblinks

• Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS-R) & Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale (FCCRS)
• Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL)
• Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP)
• For information on California Foundations and Frameworks – Infant & Toddler (PDF copy available to print on this website)
• For information on California Foundations and Frameworks – Preschool (PDF copy available to print on this website)
• For information on Ages & Stages Questionnaire
• www.caearlychildhoodonline.org
• www.desiredresults.us
• www.ececompsat.org
• For Information on Developmental Milestones

Agencies (weblinks)

• Community Connection for Child Care
• Early Childhood Council of Kern
• First 5 Kern
• Kern Association for the Education of Young Children
• For children with Special Needs H.E.A.R.T.S. Connection
• For families interested in information on Kern County’s Migrant Program

1. Small group coaching and trainings on weekends and evenings for easier access;
2. Group coaching and trainings nearby your program/family child care home via “Hubs”;
3. Program Ratings used as a positive marketing tool;
4. Resources to support your program/family child care home;
5. Strategies to enhance all areas of your program/family child care home;
6. Shows parents that you are on a continuous quality pathway and that you are genuinely interested in providing the best early learning experiences for their child;
7. Materials related to the trainings and which can help your program/family child care home run more smoothly.

1. By filling out this application, am I committing to participate in the Kern Early Stars program?
   No. This is simply a way for us to gather a list of interested centers and family child care providers so we can follow up with an orientation and more details.
2. What is the cost to me or my program? Will I be required to purchase new things in order to be successful in this program?
   There are no fees to sign up or participate in this program. You will not be required to purchase anything. Our goal is to provide you with creative and effective tools to help take you to the next level of quality that you want to reach.
3. I am a faith based program. Am I eligible to participate in the Kern Early Stars program? Will my involvement in any way affect my ability to teach a Bible based curriculum or have chapel/Bible based times in my schedule?
   Faith based programs are absolutely eligible to participate. The Kern Early Stars program is designed to support you as you strive to improve quality in your program, not to dictate the content of your faith based curriculum or activities.
4. This sounds like it’s going to be a lot of extra work. What is the benefit to participating?
   First off, we certainly understand that implementing anything new into your program can be overwhelming and time consuming. KES is committed to providing support where ever we can. The benefits to you are:
   • Small group coaching and trainings on weekends and evenings for easier access;
   • Group coaching and trainings nearby your program/family child care home via “Hubs”;
   • Program Ratings used as a positive marketing tool;
   • Resources to support your program/family child care home;
   • Strategies to enhance all areas of your program/family child care home;
   • Shows parents that you are on a continuous quality pathway and that you are genuinely interested in providing the best early learning experiences for their child;
   • Materials related to the trainings and will help your program/family child care home run more smoothly.

   Kern Early Stars staff members have experience working in private and funded child development centers or family child care programs so they understand the daily joys and challenges you experience while providing the best possible care to the children entrusted to you each day. This perspective has enabled us to place emphasis on the areas that providers often deal with such as challenging behaviors, social emotional development, indoor/outdoor environments, and child-provider interactions.

5. What does the “Stars” Rating System look like and how are stars determined?
   Centers and family child care providers will voluntarily participate with training and resources to help them enhance the quality of their program. Some sites will eventually reach the point of participating with a “Rating” process in which they can obtain points in specific areas of quality. The areas of quality include:
   • Interactions Between Adults and Children
   • Children’s Health and Development
   • Learning Experiences that Support School Readiness Skills
   • Ratios and Group Sizes
   • Safe and Age Appropriate Environments
   • A High Level of Training and Education for Providers

   Stars are awarded to a program based on point values in each of these areas. Along with the star rating, the program will also receive a report card. Just like a report card given in school breaks down a child’s achievements in individual classes, the Kern Early Stars report card will show how a program scored in each individual element. This report card gives the program a way to share with families the areas they excel in, as well as the areas they are continuing to strengthen. Participating providers set goals and have the opportunity to earn more stars based on a new rating that will take place every other year.