QRIS - "The quality of early care and education plays an important role in the growth and development of
children. A system that accurately and fairly measures quality, and that promotes improving quality
through financial incentives such as fair reimbursement rates, will not only improve the quality of early
care and education, but will help to educate parents to make informed choices for their children."
Quality - “There is an extraordinary international consensus among child researchers and practitioners about what quality child care is; it is warm, supportive interactions with adults in a safe, healthy and stimulating environment, where early education and trusting relationships combine to support individual children’s physical, emotional, social and intellectual development.” Sandra Scarr, NICHD researcher.
Cost of Child Care - There are 117,000 licensed slots in Colorado for children under the age of 6. As recently reported in “2009 Kids Count in Colorado!” the cost of care for these children has escalated in recent years making the cost of licensed care unaffordable for many Colorado families.
Tiered Reimbursement - Several Colorado counties have instituted or are considering instituting tiered reimbursement in the CCCAP program.
ECEA Co-Chairs CCCAP Policy Forum - The Early Childhood Education Association of Colorado co-chaired the CCCAP Policy Forum, which looked at issues surrounding the CCCAP program and offered recommendations.
centers. Membership includes a free subscription to the ECEA newsletter and automatic membership in the Early Care and Education Consortium at no additional charge. 