Elevating the quality of early childhood education
Imagine a Colorado where all children start kindergarten ready to succeed. This vision drives our work. In order to build a high-quality early childhood education system, we empower professionals and enhance learning environments through the following:
Register for our November 4th Science Symposium at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Develop and Deliver
We collaborate with state and local entities to effectively develop and deliver what is needed most, where it is most needed. Scanning the early childhood landscape, we identify quality gaps and drive innovation in systems and solutions, while advocating for high quality in early childhood education—defining, defending and promoting its importance across Colorado.
Reimagining Colorado’s Playgrounds: Natural Designs to Enhance Learning
The Early Childhood Health Outdoors Initiative will create natural outdoor environments in early childhood spaces. The playground as we know it is about to change. Child care centers Step by Step of Northglenn and Wild Plum Learning Center (Long’s Peak Building) of...
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High-Quality Outdoor Environments for Colorado’s Children
One of the most fulfilling parts of my job is visiting the programs Qualistar supports with grant funding. I recently had the opportunity to visit two Healthy Beginnings, Active Futures grant recipients. The Healthy Beginnings, Active Futures grant is for Colorado-based nonprofit and for profit early childhood education programs, including family child care, that serve children younger than age five and need improvements to their outdoor facilities.
read moreEarly Childhood Education Assessments: Important Pieces of the Quality Puzzle
As you prepare for the school year, consider using one of our two assessments currently counted for points in Colorado Shines to offer feedback to your program: The Classroom Assessment Scoring System, known as CLASS®, and the Certified Playground Safety Inspection (CPSI).
read moreElevating People & Places
Our mission is to elevate the quality of early childhood education in Colorado by improving everyday practice of professionals, and by building safe, supportive environments.
Continuous Quality Improvement
What does a high-quality program look like? What are the key drivers of quality? Take a few moments to watch this video introducing you to the amazing teacher and leaders at Hope Center in Denver. This Level 4 Colorado Shines program and longtime partner of Qualistar has committed itself to continuous quality improvement. In the video you will learn about the types of programming, services, and interactions that happen in high-quality settings as well as the ways that Qualistar partners with providers to reach higher levels of quality.
Why Quality Matters
90%
of brain development occurs before a child's first day of kindergarten
A child's vocabulary at
age 3
can predict third grade reading level, a strong indicator of lifelong success
Employee absenteeism due to unreliable child care costs U.S. businesses
$3 billion
annually