Stars Program - Oklahoma’s Quality Rating and Improvement System（QRIS） - Effective 6-1-2022

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by Eliana

Oklahoma’s Stars Program defines the Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) for early care and education settings, including out-of-school time programs. It outlines the purpose of QRIS to assess, improve, and communicate quality practices, and to support professional growth for providers while helping parents recognize value in care. The document presents how programs progress through One to Five Star certification, describes expectations for meeting criteria at each level, and provides guidance for submitting recommendations and comments for future updates.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages52

Reading Time2 h 11 min

AccessFree to download

QRIS Overview

The Foundation

Alternative Pathways

The Stars Program

Rationale, Policy, Evidence/Acceptable Documentation

Rights and Responsibilities

Star Certification Reviews

Primary Caregiver Qualifications

Planning for Professional Development

Procedures for Extensions of Time to Comply

Glossary

The Stars Program for Family Child Care Homes QRIS Quality Rating and Improvement System Quality Care for Every Child! Effective 6-1-2022 COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS The Stars Program Oklahoma’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS), the Stars program , criteria enhance child care programs in the State of Oklahoma. They are designed to promote quality environments for children in care outside of their own homes. The criteria were developed from the input of providers including the QRIS Standing Subcommittee, OST QRIS Taskforce, FCCH Focus Group, the public including the Child Care Advisory Committee , and information from research, and approved by the Commission for Human Services and the Governor of the State of Oklahoma pursuant to the Oklahoma Administrative Procedures Act. DHS wants the Stars program criteria to be clear, reasonable, fair, and enforceable. Comments are welcomed anytime and are considered for future revisions and development of new criteria. If you have comments or suggestions for future Star criteria, please complete the form below and send it to: Department of Human Services Child Care Services, QRIS-the Stars program PO Box 25352 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73125 The Stars program criteria for: (program type) Reference: Please list the topic of the specific criteria to which you are referring, such as Family Partnership: Recommendation(s): ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Reasons for Recommendation(s): ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Please add additional pages if needed. Your Name Date Stars Program PO Box 25352, Oklahoma City, OK 73125 (405) 521-3561 Fax: (405) 522-2564 Toll-Free: (844)834-8314 Contact Information for QRIS personnel may be found at Contact Information ([oklahoma.gov](oklahoma.gov)) Table of Contents QRIS OVERVIEW .................................................................................................... 5 THE FOUNDATION ................................................................................................. 7 ALTERNATIVE PATHWAYS ................................................................................... 9 THE STARS PROGRAM ....................................................................................... 11 Rationale, Policy, Evidence/Acceptable Documentation........................................................... 13 Rights and Responsibilities........................................................................................................... 29 Star Certification Reviews ............................................................................................................ 31 Primary Caregiver Qualifications ................................................................................................ 33 Planning for Professional Development .................................................................................... 35 Procedures for Extensions of Time to Comply .......................................................................... 37 GLOSSARY ........................................................................................................... 39 QRIS OVERVIEW The Stars program is the name of Oklahoma’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) . In 1998, Oklahoma was the first state in the nation to implement a statewide QRIS. Most states now have some form of a quality rating and improvement system. The Stars program is for all e

FAQs

What is Oklahoma’s Stars Program and what does QRIS do?

The Stars Program is Oklahoma’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). It assesses, improves, and communicates positive practices in early care and education settings based on research and recognized quality standards.

How does a program become certified in the Stars program levels?

Programs on permit or license are automatically designated as One Star. The owner and primary caregiver must request Star certification for 2, 3, 4, and 5 Star, meeting all criteria for the requested level and all lower levels unless noted otherwise.

Where can stakeholders submit comments or recommendations for future Stars criteria?

Complete the recommendation form included in the document and send it to the Department of Human Services, Child Care Services, QRIS-the Stars program, PO Box 25352, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73125.

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by Eliana