Contact Info

Natalie Woods Andrews
Christine Smith
Ramee Serwanga
Anjanette Jones
Linnea Hathaway
Joan Davidson
Nathanael Gale
Emma Baier

sacramentocountyqris@scoe.net
(916) 228-2506

Raising Quality Together: Sacramento County's Quality Rating and Improvement System

Raising Quality Together (RQT) is Sacramento County’s Quality Rating and Improvement System.

The primary purposes of RQT are to:

• Help families identify high-quality early learning settings. 
• Assist early learning programs, directors and staff with their efforts to provide high-quality early care and education.
• Offer research-based resources, information, and professional development to early learning programs, administrators and staff.

The Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) is a voluntary program focused on creating a comprehensive system that establishes uniform standards of quality for early learning programs, and provides quality research-based support for licensed early care and education centers and family child care homes serving children birth through age five. 

Additional Information

Research studies have identified elements of quality for programs serving children age birth to five and their families. Raising QUALITY Together uses the following seven elements grouped under three core areas that are foundational for the Quality Rating and Improvement System.

Core 1: Child Development & School Readiness

• Element 1: Evidence-based child assessment or observation tool
• Element 2: Developmental health screenings with referral for families if needed

Core 2: Teacher and Teaching

• Element 3: Emphasis given to staff education and ongoing professional development 
• Element 4: Effective adult-to-child interactions are consistent throughout the day

Core 3: Program and Environment

• Element 5: Safe environments planned to promote children’s optimum development
• Element 6: Small group sizes and low adult-to-child ratios to ensure children are given the attention they need
• Element 7: Directors are life-long learners that are visionary leaders 

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