Quality is non-negotiable

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:

Thank You for Joining Us at the Elevate to Educate Gala on September 21, 2017

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...

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.

Early 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).

Elevating 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.

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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