The ultimate outcome of Orange County United Way's investments in Early Education is that young children are ready academically, socially and emotionally for kindergarten. To meet this outcome, United Way seeks to increase the number of early childhood centers that are measured as high quality in low-income areas. Our specific goal is to increase the number of high quality early education spaces by 60 percent.
Orange County United Way seeks to employ a number of strategies to accomplish our goals. These include (1) direct grant funding to external programs that support United Way goals, (2) internal programs of Orange County United Way, such as the Success By 6® Star Quality Rating and Improvement System (Star-QRIS), (3) leadership roles and (4) participation in other collaborative partnerships in the community.
More on Early Education.
Star Quality Rating System:
The Success By 6 Star-Quality Rating and Improvement System has been developed to strengthen the child care infrastructure in Orange County, improve child care quality, and increase community awareness regarding the importance of quality in child care. The Star-Quality Rating and Improvement System uses an incremental system of criteria that incorporates nationally known quality standards, is based on empirical research, and is comprehensible to families. Participating child care centers receive a Star-level Rating based on an assessment of quality in each classroom.
For more information on the Star-Quality Rating system, what to look for when visiting a child care center or how your center can participate in the Star-Quality Rating program, please contact (949) 660-7600 or visit www.unitedwayoc.org.
PARENT RESOURCES:
Star-Quality Rated Centers have made a commitment to on-going quality improvement. Those programs with higher Star-Ratings have met higher levels of quality standards.
CHILD CARE CENTER RESOURCES:
The Star-Quality Rating Scale is based on the Childhood/Infant Toddler Environmental Rating Scales, the Program Administration Scale and NAEYC Accreditation.
RESEARCH REPORT:
Orange County United Way has taken the lead in producing key reports that guide community support and investments in quality early childhood education.
- True Cost of Quality Early Care - Full Report
- True Cost of Quality Early Care - Executive Summary
- Economic Impact of Child Care - Full Report
- Economic Impact of Child Care - Executive Summary
- Early Childhood Education Work Force Survey - Full Report
- Early Childhood Education Work Force Survey – Executive Summary
COMMUNITY COLLABORATIONS:
To accomplish our early childhood goals, Orange County United Way participates in several key community organizations and collaborations.
- Orange County Child Care and Development Planning Council
- Child Care Connections
- Orange County Preschool Plan Strategy Group
- Child Care Inclusion Collaborative
- Safe From the Start
