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Kansas Quality Rating Improvement System (KQRIS)

The Kansas Quality Rating Improvement System (KQRIS) is a quality rating system for center-based and family child care programs.  You will receive a comprehensive assessment, on-site coaching, and access to a grant for quality improvement as well as college scholarships and salary supplements for your teaching staff.

The Kansas Quality Rating Improvement System is a 5 Star quality rating system for child care centers, preschools, Head Start facilities, faith-based preschool programs and family child care programs.  You will receive a comprehensive assessment that results in a 1 – 5 Star Quality Rating (5 Stars is the highest possible rating).  Assessment is followed with on-site coaching to help your program make strategic improvement to overall quality.

KQRIS is the changing face of quality improvement in Kansas; as participant you will receive a variety of supports to assist in your quality improvement efforts.  Child care programs have access to a Quality Improvement (QI) Coach who can help your program set and achieve goals to make improvements.  You are eligible for quality improvement grants that can be used to purchase materials, equipment or pay for accreditation fees that will improve overall program quality.  Staff/providers are eligible for college scholarships (through T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® KANSAS) and salary supplements (through Child Care WAGE$® KANSAS).

KQRIS is currently available in selected communities across Kansas; we continue to advocate for funding to make KQRIS available in all communities across the state.  Current Child Care Resource & Referral agencies that provide KQRIS services include:

 

KQRIS Changes for 2011

The following are changes within the Kansas Quality Rating and Improvement System (KQRIS) that will take place in 2011.  Unless otherwise indicated, changes will take effect
July 1, 2011.

pdfKansas Quality Rating System Changes 2011

 

How Do I Know if I am Ready for KQRIS?

If you live in an area that provides KQRIS services and are interested in becoming a KQRIS participant, download and read the following document to see if your program is ready to make a commitment to participate a continuous quality improvement program.
pdfAm I Ready for KQRIS?

KQRIS Eligibility Forms: If you live in an area that provides KQRIS services and would like to apply for KQRIS, download an eligibility form and mail it to the KQRIS Coach at your local Resource & Referral agency.
pdf KQRIS Eligibility Form

KQRIS Rating Components: KQRIS measures quality in five key areas and assigns points based on the quality level of each component.  Those points are then added together and an overall Quality Rating score is assigned (Star Rating).  Download and read the following document to learn more about the quality rating score.
pdf KQRIS Frequently Asked Questions

KQRIS Grant Documents: KQRIS grant documents include instructions for completing the grant application, suggestions for writing a strong grant and the KQRIS Grant Application itself.

If you have questions about completing the application, please contact:
Becky Woerz, KQRIS Coaching Coordinator, (785) 823-3343 or by email.

pdf KQRIS Grant Application Information and Instructions
pdf KQRIS Writing a Good Grant
pdf KQRIS Sample Quality Improvement Grant Application
pdf KQRIS Sample Quality Award Application

For general information, please contact:
Jennifer Hecker, KQRIS Director, (785) 823-3343 or by email.