Granite Steps for Quality

Quality Care Matters

What are “Quality Early Childhood Programs?”

Quality early childhood programs provide experiences that optimize each child’s development, learning and health, engage families and communities in partnerships while cultivating life-long learners and productive members of society.

Quality Care Matters

NH’s Quality Recognition and Improvement System (QRIS)

NH has a new voluntary quality recognition system for licensed child care providers, known as Granite Steps for Quality (GSQ). Formally, NH had three (3) designations for quality child care: Licensed, Licensed Plus, and Accreditation (accredited programs). With this new QRIS, programs will focus on two quality standards which will promote a culture of continuous quality improvement. This focus will help improve the overall quality of Early Care and Education and Out-of-School Time programs in the state, thereby improving outcomes for children and families.

 

The GSQ system is now open for applications. Please apply for the GSQ using the printable application links below. At this time NHCIS online applications are paused until further notice.

Please mail your Application to:

DHHS/DCYF/Child Development BureauATTN: Credentialing Specialist129 Pleasant StreetConcord, NH 03301

Granite Steps for Quality Announcements and Updates

Read more about important announcements and updates about Granite Steps for Quality (GSQ).

Granite Steps for Quality Quarterly Incentive Invoices

Professional Development Opportunities:

Programs that are applying for a step in the Granite Steps for Quality System, the program administrator must complete two (2) Business Practices Trainings – available on ProSolutions.
 
Accepted Business Practices Trainings are as follows:
  • Taking Care of Business: An Administrator’s Overview
  • Leading With Heart: How to Build Effective Teams
  • Successful Coaching and Mentoring for Employee Growth
  • An Administrator’s Overview of Assessment in Early Care and Education
  • Creating a Business Plan for Your Family Child Care Program**
  • Budgeting and Financial Planning for Your Family Child Care Program**

** These two (2) Business Practices Trainings are only accepted for Family Child Care Programs

Upcoming Intro and Overview of Environment Rating Scales Training Opportunities

Upcoming Intro and Overview of ERS & SACERS Virtual Trainings

Upcoming Pyramid Model Trainings

Quality Care Matters

Choosing Quality Child Care

What are “Quality Early Childhood Programs?”

Quality early childhood programs provide experiences that optimize each child’s development, learning and health, engage families and communities in partnerships and cultivate life-long learners and productive members of society.

family

Five Steps to Choosing Child Care:

  1. Start looking for child care as early as possible.
  2. Make a call to your local child care experts, such as Child Care Aware of NH.
  3. Visit the child care programs you’re considering and ask questions about key indicators of quality, such as adult to child ratio, group size, caregiver qualifications, staff turnover and accreditation.
  4. Make a choice based on what you saw and your family’s needs.
  5. Stay involved by keeping communication open with your child’s caregiver, attending regular meetings with your child’s caregiver, offering to volunteer at the program if able to and join in on special events.
You can also call Child Care Aware of New Hampshire toll-free 1(855) 393-1731 to speak with a friendly Child Care Resource and Referral Outreach Specialist about your child care needs and questions.

NH’s Quality Recognition and Improvement System (QRIS): Granite Steps for Quality

New Hampshire’s voluntary quality recognition system for licensed child care providers, known as Granite Steps for Quality focuses on improving the overall quality of Early Care and Education and Out-of-School Time (OST) programs in the state. Programs participating in GSQ will promote a culture of continuous quality improvement thereby improving outcomes for children and families to thrive and succeed in school and beyond.

The four GSQ Quality Steps are defined by criteria specific to program type based on two standards — Staff Qualifications and Learning Environments. GSQ encourages programs to meet quality standards by offering coaching, technical assistance, and online training along with generous financial incentives including programs serving children in The Child Care Scholarship Program. Through the NH Connections Information System, families seeking high-quality care (including center-based, home-based, Head Start, NAEYC Accredited, and OST programs) can search for programs that proudly display their Quality Step and Endorsements on their program profile.  

Licensed

Licensed programs include child care centers and family child care homes. The Child Care Licensing Unit regulates quality based on the following aspects of child care:

  • Ratio: The number of children per adult in a home or classroom
  • Group Size: The total number of children
  • Health: Policies and practices around illness, immunization, nutrition, cleanliness, and preventing the spread of germs
  • Safety: Practices to make sure the environment is safe, both indoors and outdoors. This includes practices around First Aid and Infant and Child CPR training for staff, fire precautions, criminal background checks, etc.
  • Training, education and experience of the provider: Assures that providers are knowledgeable in child development and other related topics

Accreditation

Accredited programs have gone through a process of self-study and outside evaluation and have met higher standards of quality child care.

National accrediting associations include:

There are many factors to consider including types of care, price, availability, quality of care and location.  This consumer statement provides you with information to help you with your choice. To view the Consumer Education Statement click here.

How to Report a Concern about a Child Care Provider

The Child Care Licensing Unit will investigate concerns/complaints:

  • That are based upon first-hand knowledge or information reported directly by a child who has first-hand knowledge;
  • When there is sufficient specific information for the department to determine that the allegation(s), if proven to be true, would constitute a violation of any Child Care Licensing Rule or Law;
  • That involve an incident that occurred within the last 6 months; or
  • That involves an incident that occurred anytime if the complaint alleges physical injury or abuse, verbal or emotional abuse, or the danger of physical injury to one or more children.

Click here to contact CCLU with any questions about a child care program or if you are not sure if your concern meets the complaint criteria.

Services for Children and Families

DHHS helps individuals and families find additional support including financial assistance, Food Stamps, Medical, Child Care, Nutrition and Community Services.