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VSQI 4 Star Rating

Common Ground’s Rating Details

VSQI Fact Sheet Overview

Download the full VSQI Fact Sheet [PDF, 290 KB]
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WHAT IS VSQI?
The Virginia Star Quality Initiative (VSQI) is a voluntary program to assess, improve and communicate the level of quality in early care and education settings. VSQI was developed to provide a consistent method to distinguish and improve the quality in early care and education programs, empowering families to make informed choices about the care of their young children. In addition, VSQI provides opportunities and incentives for early learning providers to continually improve the quality of their services.

VSQI is administered through a partnership between the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation (VECF) and the Virginia Office of Early Childhood and Development (OECD), referred to as the “hub”. Local agencies or local early childhood agencies work with the hub to coordinate the rating process and program activities. Currently, there are 15 local early childhood coalitions across Virginia implementing VSQI. Over 300 programs have been rated and there are more currently being evaluated. Visit smartbeginnings.org to find out who is participating.

VSQI is right for your community if your objectives are:

• To increase overall program quality
• To recognize the quality programs that already exist
• To increase families’ knowledge and awareness of quality child care programs
• To improve training of early childhood professionals
• To increase access to high quality programs for children

HOW DOES VSQI WORK?
By participating in VSQI, early care and education programs in your community show that they understand the importance of quality early care in preparing children to be ready for and successful in school and life. Participating early care and education programs are evaluated by professionally trained raters. After a thorough review of documentation and on-site observation(s), the participating program is given a star rating on a scale of 1 to 5. The rating and evaluation process not only recognizes a program’s strengths and weaknesses, it provides an opportunity and method for improvement. Once an early care and education program is rated, the program receives a detailed rating summary report and a trained mentor to facilitate improvements.