Because family child care programs are not required to have staff, the Rising Stars for ME Staffing and Professional Development requirements (Standard 3) addressing Career Lattice Levels do not include requirements for staff. Only the Program Owner must achieve specific Levels on the Career Lattice in order to move up to a higher Star rating. 

However, family child care programs with staff have opportunities to include them in continuous quality improvement activities. Read all the Family Child Care Standards here. For example: 

• 2.3.3 – The program writes a Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Plan based upon the results from and Family Survey and the Rising Stars for ME Inclusive Practices Checklist. Family child care programs can include staff feedback in the CQI plan. 

• 2.3.4 – Programs with staff hold staff meetings at least quarterly that include discussions regarding the CQI plan. 

• 3.4.2 – The Program Owner and any staff create an individual annual Professional Development Plan addressing their training and education goals. 

• 4.3.1 – All staff have a written job description defining job responsibilities. 

• 4.3.3 – Programs with staff provide monthly opportunities for individual supervision. Staff do not have to participate in individual supervision each month but must be offered the opportunity. 

• 4.3.4 – All staff are evaluated at least annually by a supervisor to refine their skills through feedback and guidance. 

As always, reach out to risingstarsforme@maine.edu with questions.