Last updated on Tuesday, February 14, 2006   STARS for KIDS NOW, Kentucky's voluntary quality rating system for licensed Type I and Type II child care centers and Certified family child care homes, is now available statewide.  This system uses a scale of 1 through 4 STARS to identify levels of quality.  All STAR levels surpass the minimum licensing requirements, that all programs must meet.  Early care and education programs work to meet standards associated with quality care that result in positive outcomes for young children. Programs are assessed in the following areas:  staff/child ratios, group size, curriculum, parent involvement, training/education of staff, regulatory compliance, and personnel practices.  STARS for KIDS NOW provides parents with a tool to help identify levels of quality when seeking a childcare setting outside of their home. Childcare centers and family childcare homes participating in STARS for KIDS NOW demonstrate a commitment toward providing quality care and education. Parents can use the rating system to gain an understanding of the factors that contribute to quality care and education, and can choose a child care setting that best matches their family's needs. Early care and education settings that choose to participate in STARS for KIDS NOW may receive free technical assistance from regional Child Care Resource and Referral agencies and local health departments.  Upon receiving a star rating, programs are eligible for a one-time cash STAR Achievement Award.   Additional quality incentive dollars are available, on a quarterly basis, based on the size of the program, the number of subsidy children served, and the level of STAR attainment.   Assistance with staff training and education is offered through the Early Childhood Development Scholarship Program. STARS for KIDS NOW standards are based on research that demonstrates what combination of criteria are essential for quality early childhood environments.    The recommendations for the content of each level were constructed by a representative group of consumers, childcare providers, non-profit group representatives, and others who work and live with young children. STARS for KIDS NOW represents a collaborative effort to ensure that young children in Kentucky are in early care and education settings that are seeking ever-increasing quality. LICENSED TYPE I CHILD CARE CENTERS                   •  Early care and education supports for the STARS for KIDS NOW Quality Rating System •  STARS for KIDS NOW level requirements for Type I centers •  STARS for KIDS NOW Achievement Award and STAR Quality Incentive Award Chart   Please visit the "Stars for Kids Now" website for more information.