10-148-31 Me. Code R. § 4

Current through 2024-25, June 19, 2024

Section 148-31-4 - STAR RATING STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS

A.General

1."Building Block Approach" Rating System. Rising Stars for ME uses a "building block approach" rating system, meaning a Program must meet all Standards and Requirements for its Program type in each lower Star Rating, and all Standards and Requirements in the next Star Rating, to advance to the next Star Rating. For example, to advance to a Star 2 (two), a Program must meet all the Standards and Requirements for Star 2 (two) and demonstrate continued compliance with all Standards and Requirements for Star 1 (one) for its Program type.

2.Expiration: A Program's Star Rating start and end date aligns with a Program's child care License or a CCSP License-Exempt Provider Agreement. A Program must renew their Star Rating certificate at the time of their License renewal or at the time their CCSP License-Exempt Provider Agreement is updated, unless the Program:

a. No longer meets the Standards for the assigned Star Rating, as determined by the Department under these rules, or

b. Requests an earlier review and demonstrates to the Department that it has met the Standards necessary to advance to the next Star Rating.

3.No Fee. There is no fee to enroll with Rising Stars for ME.

4.Technical Assistance. Rising Stars for ME provides Technical Assistance to Programs by helping to identify needs for additional resources and supports to increase their level of quality. Technical Assistance is provided at the Department's discretion.

B.Rising Stars for ME Standards. Rising Stars for ME includes seven (7) Standards for Family Child Care and seven (7) Standards for Child Care Facilities by which a Program is evaluated to determine its Star Rating:

Standard 1: Learning Environment / Developmentally Appropriate Practice;

Standard 2: Program Evaluation;

Standard 3: Child Care Staff Member Qualifications and Professional Development;

Standard 4: Administration and Business Practices;

Standard 5: Family Engagement and Partnership;

Standard 6: Child and Youth Assessment; and

Standard 7: Health, Safety, Nutrition, and Physical Activity.

Each Standard includes Requirements specific to the Program type. The Department determines the Program's Star Rating based on meeting all Requirements for each Standard.

C.Family Child Care Providers. The following specific Requirements must be met by a Family Child Care Provider to attain and maintain the indicated Star Rating, or to advance to the next Star Rating. Family Child Care Providers are assigned a Star 2 (two) Rating due to being licensed by the Department. To advance to the next Star Rating, Family Child Care Providers must continue to meet all prior Star Rating Requirements in each Standard.

1.Star 2 Family Child Care

a. Meet all Eligibility Requirements of Section 2 of this rule.

2.Star 3 Family Child Care

a. Program activities and experiences guided by a general understanding of the developmental domains, provided by Maine's Professional Development Network:

i. Social/Emotional;

ii. Cognitive;

iii. Physical (gross and fine motor; self-help skills);

iv. Language/Communication Skills; and

v. Approaches to Learning;

b. Methods for planning activities and experiences based on Children's interests, skills, and abilities;

c. Program daily posted schedule supports child-centered play and exploration, both indoors and outdoors, and is responsive to the interests and developmental needs of the Children and Youth;

d. Materials/equipment developmentally appropriate, accessible, and reflect all Children's interests, skills, abilities, and represent Children, Youth and families served;

e. Program policy addressing suspension and expulsion and supports, available for Children with social, emotional, and/or behavioral health needs, clearly written;

f. Program Owner and/or Director completed all required training(s) relevant to all ages enrolled in Program;

g. MELDS and Infants and Toddlers MELDS documents referred to during activity planning;

h. Activities individualized to Infant and Toddler routines and rhythms, as applicable;

i. Family Survey completed annually to gather input on Program's strengths and opportunities;

j. Rising Stars for ME Inclusive Practices Checklist completed annually;

k. Program Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Plan written based on results of Family Survey and Rising Stars for ME Inclusive Practices Checklist;

l. Programs with Child Care Staff Members hold staff meetings at least quarterly and include discussions regarding the CQI Plan;

m. Program Owner is at a level 3 (three) or above on Maine's PDN Direct Care Lattice;

n. All Child Care Staff Members (if applicable) have written job description defining job responsibilities;

o. Program Owner completed Department-approved training on laws and practices supporting inclusion;

p. Programs with Child Care Staff Members provide monthly opportunities for individual supervision, (if applicable);

q. Programs with Child Care Staff Members evaluated at least annually by supervisor to refine their skills through feedback and guidance, (if applicable);

r. Families provided regular communication and updates on Program that support varied literacy levels, abilities, family culture and home language;

s. Families provided information on local and state resources related to individual Child and family needs;

t. At least once per year, collect, summarize, and incorporate into curriculum planning evidence of Children's development in the following areas:

i. Social/Emotional;

ii. Cognitive;

iii. Physical (gross and fine motor; self-help skills);

iv. Language/Communication Skills; and

v. Approaches to Learning.

u. Nutrition/physical activity baseline Self-assessment completed annually and includes the development and implementation of an action plan to achieve one strategy for improvement.

3.Star 4 Family Child Care

a. Approach to learning and development is articulated,

b. Activity planning shows evidence of supporting Children's positive social and emotional development, using strategies with all Children and youth that include providing choices, using redirection, reflection, and problem solving, and clear rules and expectations (As supplied through services through Maine's Professional Development Network);

c. Program Self-assessment based on NAFCC accreditation requirements conducted annually;

d. Rising Stars for ME Inclusive Practices Checklist completed annually;

e. Results from NAFCC Self-assessment and all categories of the Rising Stars for ME Inclusive Practices Checklist included in its CQI Plan;

f. Program Owner at level 4 or above on the Maine Professional Development Network Direct Care Career Lattice;

g. Program Owner and any Child Care Staff Member create annual professional development plan addressing their training and education goals;

h. Appropriate tool used to measure overall quality of business and professional practices annually;

i. Program Owner(s) (person(s) listed on the license) is/are on-site at least eighty percent (80%) of the time (may be averaged over time);

j. At least one (1) conference per year offered to families to discuss their Child's cognitive, social emotional, and physical development and needs;

k. Program policy addressing participation in IFSP/IEP plans in place;

l. At least twice (2) per year, collect, summarize, and incorporate into curriculum planning evidence of the Children's development in the following areas:

i. Social/Emotional

ii. Cognitive

iii. Physical (gross and fine motor; self-help skills)

iv. Language/Communication Skills

v. Approaches to Learning

m. Nutrition/physical activity baseline Self-assessment completed annually; and includes the development and implementation of an action plant to achieve two (2) strategies for improvement.

4.Star 5 Family Child Care

a. Program holds current accreditation from the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC), the American Montessori Society (AMS), OR meets performance standards as evaluated by Head Start.

D.Child Care Facilities. The following specific Requirements must be met by a Child Care Facility to attain and maintain the indicated Star Rating, or to advance to the next Star Rating. Child Care Facilities are assigned a Star 2 (two) Rating due to being licensed by the Department. To advance to the next Star Rating, the Child Care Facility must continue to meet all prior Star Rating Requirements in each Standard.

1.Star 2 Child Care Facility

a. Meet all eligibility requirements of Section 2 of this rule.

2.Star 3 Child Care Facility

a. Program activities and experiences guided by a general understanding of the developmental domains;

b. Methods for planning activities and experiences based on Children's interests, skills, and abilities;

c. Program's daily posted schedule supports child-centered play and exploration, both indoors and outdoors, and is responsive to the interests and developmental needs of the Children and Youth;

d. Materials and equipment developmentally appropriate, accessible, and reflect all Children's interests, skills, abilities, and represent Children, Youth and families served;

e. Program's policy addressing suspension and expulsion and supports available for Children with social, emotional, and/or behavioral health needs clearly written;

f. Program Owner/Director or Child Care Staff member responsible for curriculum planning has completed Department-approved Maine IT MELDS and MELDS training;

g. Program Owner and/or Director completed all required training(s) relevant to all ages enrolled in Program,

h. MELDS and IT MELDS documents referred to during activity planning;

i. At least one (1) Teacher in each Child age group completed Department-approved MELDS or IT MELDS trainings;

j. Programs serving Infants and Toddlers individualize the activities to the Infant and Toddlers' routines and rhythms;

k. Child Care Staff Member and Family Surveys, to gather input on Program's strengths and opportunities, completed annually;

l. Rising Stars for ME Inclusive Practices Checklist completed annually;

m. Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Plan written based on results of the Child Care Staff Member and Family Surveys and the Rising Stars for ME Inclusive Practices Checklist;

n. Child Care Staff Member meetings held at least quarterly and include CQI Plan discussions;

o. At least fifty percent (50%) of Teachers and the Program Director at level 5 (five) or above on the Maine PDN Direct Care Career Lattice;

p. At least twenty-five percent (25%) of Child Care Staff Members, working twenty (20) or more hours per week, are at a level 3 (three) or above on the Maine's PDN Direct Care Lattice;

q. All Child Care Staff Members given written job descriptions, defining job responsibilities;

r. Monthly opportunities for individual supervision provided to Child Care Staff Members;

s. All Child Care Staff Members evaluated at least annually by supervisor to refine their skills through feedback and guidance;

t. Program Director or Child Care Staff Member, responsible for on-site Program administration, completed Foundations of Center-Based Care, or at least one Child Care Leadership Institute (I, II, or III) with the Maine PDN or demonstrates completion of comparable college course work;

u. Program Director or Child Care Staff Member, responsible for on-site Program administration, completed Department-approved training on laws and practices on inclusion;

v. Families provided regular communication and updates on Program in ways that support varied literacy levels, abilities, family culture and home language;

w. Information provided to families on local and state resources related to individual Child and family needs;

x. At least annually, Program collects, summarizes, and incorporates into curriculum planning evidence of Children's development in the following areas:

i. Social/Emotional

ii. Cognitive

iii. Physical (gross and fine motor; self-help skills)

iv. Language/Communication Skills; and

v. Approaches to Learning.

y. Nutrition/physical activity baseline Self-assessment completed annually; and

z. Child Care Facility Handbook includes a policy describing how Program meets the dietary needs of children and youth, taking into consideration diverse food and nutrition as determined by culture, religion, special needs or disabilities.

3.Star 4 Child Care Facility

a. Program has articulated approach to learning and development;

b. Activity planning shows evidence of supporting Children's positive social and emotional development, using strategies with all Children and youth - that includes providing choices, using redirection, reflection, and problem solving, and clear rules and expectations;

c. Self-assessment, based on NAEYC or AMS accreditation standards or the Head Start Performance Standards, conducted annually;

d. Rising Stars for ME Inclusive Practices Checklist completed annually;

e. Includes results from NAEYC/AMS/Head Start Performance Standards Self-assessment and all categories of the Rising Stars for ME Inclusive Practices Checklist in its CQI Plan;

f. At least fifty percent (50%) of all permanent/regular Child Care Staff Members are at level 5 (five) or above on the Maine Professional Development Network Direct Care Career Lattice, for Programs serving Children birth to kindergarten and/or mixed age Programs;

g. At least fifty percent (50%) of all Child Care Staff Members working at least twenty (20) hours per week are at least a level 3 (three) on the Maine's PDN Direct Care Career Lattice;

h. All Child Care Staff Members create an annual professional development plan addressing their training and education goals;

i. Child Care Staff Members with curriculum planning responsibilities provided at least one (1) paid hour per week to dedicate to curriculum planning;

j. A benefit package including at least two (2) benefits is offered to Staff Members. Benefits may include, but are not limited to: reduced child care rates for children of child care staff members; tuition reimbursement; paid training (for hourly staff); mileage reimbursement for travel to training/education; health, dental, and/or disability insurances; access to Staff Assistance program; retirement plan; paid vacation; paid sick time; paid personal time; and paid holidays;

k. Child Care Staff Members offered opportunities to participate in development and revision of Program policies;

l. Families offered at least two (2) conferences per year to discuss their Child's cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development needs;

m. Families of school age Children offered at least one (1) conference per year;

n. Program's policy addresses its participation in IFSP/IEP plans;

o. At least twice (2) per year, the Program collects, summarizes, and incorporates evidence of Children's development into curriculum in the following areas:

i. Social/Emotional;

ii. Cognitive;

iii. Physical (gross and fine motor; self-help skills);

iv. Language/Communication Skills; and

v. Approaches to Learning.

p. Nutrition/physical activity baseline Self-assessment completed annually and used to develop and implement an action plan to achieve two (2) strategies for improvement; and.

q. All Child Care Staff Members create annual Professional Development Plan addressing their training and education goals.

4.Star 5 Child Care Facility

a. Program holds current accreditation from:

i. National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) OR American Montessori Society (AMS), the Council on Accreditation (COA), OR meets performance standards as evaluated by Head Start.

b. Head Start Programs do not require accreditation to advance to a Star 5 (five) Rating. The Department reviews the Program's performance on the National Head Start Performance Standards. A Head Start Program advances to a Star 5 (five) Rating by meeting all Standards and Requirements for a Star 5 (five) Rating and all lower Star Ratings, based on its Program type, as well as demonstrating either (1) zero non-compliance items in its most recent review of performance standards as evaluated by The National Office of Head Start or (2) that all non-compliance items identified in its most recent review are corrected;

c. The Council on Accreditation (COA) accredits:

i. Out-of-School Time Programs; and

ii. Social service agencies with an early childhood or out-of-school time component.

d. Program Director at level 5 (five) or above on the Maine Professional Development Network Administrative/Management/Coordination Career Lattice OR at least a level 6 (six) or above on PDN Direct Care Career Lattice;

e. At least fifty percent (50%) of Lead Teachers at level 6 (six) or above on the Maine PDN Direct Care Career Lattice; and

f. At least fifty percent (50%) of Child Care Staff Members working twenty (20) hours or more a week are at a level 4 (four) or above on the PDN Direct Care Lattice.

E.License-Exempt Child Care Programs. The following specific Requirements must be met by a License-Exempt Child Care Program to attain and maintain the indicated Star Rating, or to advance to the next Star Rating. To advance to the next Star Rating, the License-Exempt Child Care Program must continue to meet all prior Star Rating Requirements in each Standard.

1.Star 1 License-Exempt Child Care Program

a. All direct care Child Care Staff Members and Directors have current Department-approved certification in Infant, Child, and Adult CPR and first aid;

b. Read and signed documentation/contract to participate with the CCSP;

c. All direct care Child Care Staff Members and Directors completed initial six (6) hour, Department-approved, Health and Safety Basics online training and completes two (2) hour renewal each year thereafter.

2.Star 2 License-Exempt Child Care Program

a. To advance their Star Rating, License-Exempt Programs must become licensed.

10-148 C.M.R. ch. 31, § 4