Quality Improvement

High-quality early learning programs get children ready to learn and succeed in school, and can help close the achievement gap. However, we know that the quality of these programs is crucial, as only high-quality programs can produce improved child outcomes.

Due to the importance of quality in early learning programs, California urgently needs to both develop a Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) that builds on our effective programs and redesign our health and safety monitoring system.

These efforts are led by the California Early Learning Advisory Council (ELAC), which will coordinate this state’s work and investments in early learning. The ELAC builds on the work of the California Early Learning Quality Improvement System Advisory Committee, which was established by SB 1629 (Steinberg-2008) to improve the quality of early care and education programs.  For more information about California’s quality rating improvement efforts, please view our fact sheet.

A recent ELQIS report identified key policy opportunities and a design proposal for a QRIS.

Key policy opportunities include:

• Establish unified objective quality standards, that are culturally and linguistically appropriate, that can be used to inform program design as well as quality environments for providers, families and policymakers;
• Strengthen health and safety oversight for the early learning and care licensing system;
• Pilot the quality review system and design incentives to support the system and encourage innovative models;
• Strengthen the links between early educator professional development and effective teaching to improve child outcomes; and 
• Establish a comprehensive data system to measure the impact of early learning and care programs and support future statewide evaluation and research on the program’s design

Read the California ELQIS Advisory Council’s final report and executive summary for final quality improvement recommendations.

Find out more about quality improvement issues, including licensing and Dual Language Learners.

Why Quality Matters

Research shows that children who attend high-quality preschool are less likely to drop out of high school, be placed in special education, or be held back a great, and more likely to score better on reading and math achievement tests. As adults, children who attend high-quality early learning are also more likely to attend college, be employed and less likely to be involved in crime.

Only high-quality programs produce these improved child outcomes. In fact, poor quality programs can exacerbate the school readiness gap and may be unsafe and unhealthy, causing harm to our youngest children.

• Unfortunately, less than a quarter of all preschool-age children – and just 13 percent of low-income children – in California are currently enrolled in the types of high-quality early learning programs that promote school readiness and later school achievement, according to research by the RAND Corporation.
• Although one million children ages birth to 5 are in some type of early learning and child care program outside their homes, no statewide system currently exists to measure the quality of programs. Even California’s basic licensing system has one of the lowest inspection rates in the country.

Read more about quality improvement in California in our fact sheet.

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