ASCC: Quality First!

Quality First!

Quality First! is Arizona's statewide quality improvement and rating system for providers of center or home-based early care and education. Quality First! is an exciting opportunity for centers and homes to improve the quality of care provided to children with the support of financial incentives, coaching, child care health consultation and scholarships for program personnel. Quality First! has a one to five star rating system, with three stars and higher meeting "good quality" indicators.

Quality First! is funded by First Things First.

Quality First! Program Facts and Key Components

Quality First! was created to improve the early care and education in Arizona so young children can begin school safe, healthy, and ready to succeed. Quality First! will also provide families with information on selecting a quality early care and education setting for their young children.

Regulated center-based and family child care home providers are eligible to apply for participation in Quality First! ("Regulated" means licensed, certified or monitored by Arizona Department of Health Services, Arizona Department of Economic Security, United States Department of Defense, United States Health and Human Services [Head Start Bureau] or Tribal Governments).

Quality First! offers support for coaching and child care health consultation, as well as T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® ARIZONA. Scholarships and financial assistance to facilitate program improvement.

Programs serving infants, toddlers, and/or high numbers of children receiving DES subsidies will be given priority for enrollment into the statewide funded Quality First! system, although all regulated programs will be considered for participation.

Quality First! addresses the essential indicators of quality early care and education which include safe, enriching environments, positive adult-child interaction and instructional practices, staff qualifications, family engagement, administrative practices and curriculum.