RISING STARS FOR ME Q&A
Rising Stars for ME ResourcesI’m looking for some guidance on creating my program’s E-Portfolio
Every week SHORTcuts includes the link to the Rising Stars for ME Tip of the Week Archive. If you’re short on time and want to review some of the most popular tips related to the E-Portfolio, check out the following: Are there instructions for completing the Rising...
I’m looking for some guidance on taking the Preschool and/or Infant and Toddler Maine Early Learning and Development Standards (MELDS) training.
Every week SHORTcuts includes the link to the Rising Stars for ME Tip of the Week Archive. If you’re short on time and want to review some of the most popular tips related to the P MELDS and IT MELDS, check out the following: Do I need to take the P MELDS or IT...
My facility doesn’t prepare food for children. How can we meet the requirement around meeting dietary needs under Standard 7?
Important note: This requirement applies to FACILITIES only. Family child care programs do not have a requirement around this policy. Standard 7 addresses Health, Safety, Physical Activity, and Nutrition. Under Star 3 there is a requirement that reads “The Provider...
Last week I read about how Rising Stars for ME and Child Care Choices are connected. What do I do if I have questions about my information on Child Care Choices?
Great question, and – it depends! If you have questions about your program’s information, like address, phone number, or program name, you should always check with your Child Care Licensing worker first. All of the program information on Child Care Choices comes from...
Maybe this isn’t a Rising Stars for ME question, but how do I update my program openings on Child Care Choices?
This is a great question, and is related to Rising Stars for ME. Behind the scenes, many of the databases used by licensed programs are connected and “talk” to each other – this is the case with Rising Stars for ME and Child Care Choices. When families search Child...
How can I find out what my program needs to do to move to the next Star rating?
After you complete your program’s Rising Stars for ME application, you will be brought to a page listing your program’s current Star rating at each Standard, along with the requirements needed to reach the next Star. You should review these before clicking to the...
I’m a new program and I want to get started on my Rising Stars for ME application. What’s the first step?
Starting a new program involves a lot of paperwork, applications, and organization. It’s helpful to review the Rising Stars for ME Standards and resources early in the process, so you can keep in mind what documents you might need on hand to add to your E-Portfolio. ...
Where can I find out about Maine’s Dependent Care State Tax Credit?
It’s tax time, which can often lead to confusion for families with questions about Maine’s Dependent Care State Tax Credit. Here’s the language from Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) with added context: The Maine legislature passed a law that...
I have a certificate that says I’m Level 4 on the Registry and another that says I’m a Star 2. What’s the difference?!
It can be confusing and frustrating to have to enroll in so many systems that assign “ratings” or put you on a “lattice.” What are the differences? And what do the ratings mean? Let’s break it down. The Maine Roads to Quality Registry: This is a system that assigns...
Rising Stars for ME Site Visit Pilot is coming, and we are seeking volunteers!
The transition to Rising Stars for ME was completed at the end of March 2023. Since then, programs have renewed or applied on the Rising Stars for ME website. The Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) thanks everyone for your engagement! OCFS is now looking to...