Early Childhood Education Programs By Quality Rating (Star Rating) (2014–2023)

Definition

Delaware's Stars for Early Success:

Star Level 1 – Programs at this first level of participation in Delaware Stars are in good standing with the Office of Child Care Licensing and are working on required steps for orientation.

Star Level 2 – Programs at Star Level 2 have begun their active pursuit of continuous quality improvement for their early care and education or school age program. Programs have completed all components required in “Starting with Stars” and are implementing a Quality Improvement Plan linked to the Delaware Stars for Early Success Standards.

Star Level 3 – To reach a Star Level 3, a program must achieve a minimum of a 3.4 on each of the ERS assessments for their program and earn at least 40 quality points through their verification of quality standards.

Star Level 4 – To reach a Star Level 4, a program must achieve a minimum of a 4. on each of the ERS assessments for their program and earn at least 60 quality points through the verification of quality standards.

Star Level 5 – The highest level of achievement for programs in Delaware Stars. To reach a Star Level 5, a program must achieve a minimum of a 5.4 on each of the ERS assessments for their program and earn at least 80 quality points through the verification of quality standards.

Data Source

Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood, University of Delaware.

Notes

Delaware's Stars for Early Success, a product of the University of Delaware's Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Education, is Delaware's voluntary Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) administered by the Delaware Department of Education.

Number of providers by star level reflects an annual 12/31 point in time count.

Note: new star levels were not awarded in 2021, 2022, or 2023. If the numbers increased for SL3-SL5 programs after 2020, it was because programs were removed from enforcement action. New programs were able to enroll in Stars at level 1. The state is transitioning to a new quality improvement system, which will be reflected in future updates as the data becomes available.

Last Updated

2024-02