Glossary

Accreditation is the process in which certification of credibility is presented to ECE programs that apply and meet certain standards/criteria. 

An observation tool used for measuring equitable sociocultural interactions in classrooms (Curenton et al., 2019). 

A developmental and social-emotional screening tool for children between birth and age 6 (Ages & Stages, n.d).

A developmental assessment tool for children between birth and age 7 (Riverside Insights, n.d.).

If a system utilizes a block structure, ECE programs must meet all the criteria at a certain quality level.

A sequence of stackable, portable credentials combined with the supports ECE professionals need to advance their individual career progression (Administration for Children and Families, n.d.)

The process of gathering information from formal child assessment tools to evaluate development or progress and make informed instructional decisions.

A federal grant program that provides funding to states with the following broad goals: 1) supporting workforce participation for low-income parents and 2) improving the quality of ECE to support child development. (Administration for Children and Families, n.d.)

A local and/or statewide organization involved in supporting child care services. 

Information gathered about an individual child (e.g., race/ethnicity, ability status). 

An assessment tool used to determine the quality of teacher-child interactions and classroom environment in ECE programs (Teachstone, n.d).

An individualized approach to professional development that provides staff with close instruction.

A group of people or professionals with shared interests who come together to learn from and to provide support for one another.

An agreement type between a QIS management organization and a partner organization in which multiple entities place bids on services needed.

Ensuring that learning environments reflect children’s cultural backgrounds, values, and experiences.

Actively incorporating and adapting to children’s cultural backgrounds, values, and experiences in the learning environment.

An organized framework that outlines appropriate content to learn and delineates processes to achieve curricular goals.

The long-term merging of data that flows from two or more sources to produce a dataset that continually updates whenever data in one original source changes (Data Governance Support, 2024).

Joining two or more static datasets by matching a common identifier or identifiers found in each data source (e.g., name, physical address; Data Governance Support, 2024)

A process to identify aspects of a child’s development that may require additional support using standardized tools. This process often involves partnering with family members, educators, and staff who know the child (Head Start, n.d.).

A collection of tools used to assess the comprehensive quality of ECE programs, tailored to specific age groups (Teachers College Press, n.d.).

The space within an ECE program, including layout and materials used.  

The process of assessing the effectiveness and impact of a QIS.

 Efforts to include families in meaningful ways in their child’s learning and development.

Opportunities to involve families in ECE program operations, ranging from parent advisory board to periodic family surveys.

Sources of financial support allocated to support the QIS (CCDF) or individual ECE programs (e.g., Head Start).

A federally funded ECE program providing services to low-income families.

If a system utilizes a hybrid structure, quality levels are determined using a mixture of blocks (i.e., ECE programs must meet all the criteria at a certain level) and points (i.e. programs choose which requirements they will meet to earn points).

A comprehensive guide that outlines the goals, steps, and resources necessary to carry out an ECE program.

Funds given to enhance the quality of ECE program services.

A reward or benefit (e.g., funding, professional development opportunities, materials) given to an ECE program to promote and support improvement and maintenance of quality ECE program services.

An intentional practice to ensure children with identified or suspected delays, disabilities, or special medical needs can equitably participate in and access ECE program services.

Characteristics that measure and evaluate the quality of an ECE program, often organized by topic or level in the QIS.

A law that makes free public education available to eligible children with disabilities. IDEA funding is provided to ECE programs to support special education and related services to children with disabilities (U.S. Department of Education, n.d.)

A process to ensure that individuals conducting observations or ratings have a consistent and accurate understanding and application of the tool(s) being used.

“A determination by states/territories of providers who can operate legally without a license. License-exempt providers might include providers caring only for related children (e.g., person caring for grandchildren only), providers caring for a small number of children (e.g., one or two children), and facilities operating for only a few hours per day (e.g., serving children from 9-11am on Tuesdays and Thursdays only) or caring for children while adults are present (e.g., exercise facility caring for children while parent is exercising on site)” (Administration for Children and Families, 2024).

A classification indicating the extent to which an ECE program meets established quality standards. Levels typically range from one (i.e., entry level) to the highest level (often four or five).

“Programs operated in homes or facilities that fall within the regulatory system of a state or community and comply with those regulations. Many states have different licensing and regulatory requirements” (Administration for Children and Families, 2024).

The state, local, or Tribal standards that an ECE program must meet to legally operate.

Actively incorporating and adapting to children’s diverse linguistic backgrounds in the learning environment.

A visual representing the relationships between activities and desired outcomes.

Training provided to staff by a higher-level staff member.

A standardized instrument used to assess the quality of an ECE program through direct observation.

A regularly occurring process to ensure that individuals conducting observations or ratings have a consistent and accurate understanding and application of the tool(s) being used.

Opportunities for ECE staff to work with peers, either within their program or across other programs.

A test-run of a QIS that takes place in a defined service area during a specific timeframe. A pilot is designed to identify and address potential issues before broad scale implementation. 

If a system utilizes a points structure, ECE programs have the flexibility to choose which requirements they will meet to earn points that correspond to different quality levels.

A program designed for children ages 3 to 5 and funded by a state, local, or Tribal entity. 

A federal funding program designed to improve and expand ECE opportunities for children, particularly those from low-income families.

Advisors work with child care providers to explore, define, and achieve professional development goals.

The number of ECE programs participating in a QIS with a rating or at a specific quality level out of the universe of ECE programs that could participate in the QIS.

Information gathered about an individual ECE program (e.g., number of children served).

Information gathered about an individual ECE provider (e.g., preferred language)

 A monetary award or bonus used to reward a program's quality improvement.  

ECE programs that serve children ages 5 and above before and/or after school.

ECE programs operating within schools

Markers of quality established to define and promote quality ECE programming

Monetary award given to programs new to the QIS. 

The strategies used to engage in quality improvement at the systems and implementation levels.

Scholarships to support early childhood staff in earning a higher degree in early childhood or a related field.

Support provided to ECE programs or staff to help improve practice, meet quality standards, or navigate challenges. Technical assistance can be provided in a variety of formats and levels of intensity.

A plan for how the QIS intends to achieve long-term goals.

An approach to provide varying levels of financial support or reimbursement to ECE programs based on the quality of care provided or other factors. Programs at higher levels of their QIS, for example, may receive a higher subsidy reimbursement rate.

Tribal early childhood programs: ECE programs operated by federally-recognized Tribes.

A process to ensure the QIS accurately measures quality of ECE programs and that ratings are consistent, reliable, and valid.