RISING STARS FOR ME Q&A
Rising Stars for ME ResourcesI received the memo from the Office of Child and Family Services about the extension of the grace period for applying to Rising Stars for ME to November 1, 2023. What does this mean for me?
To determine if the extension of the grace period affects your Rising Stars for ME certificate, check your expiration date on the new Rising Stars for ME certificate that was sent to your program at the end of March 2023. (Need a refresher? Here’s more...
What is the Business Practices Tool that Family Child Care Programs need to use in Standard 4, Star 4?
In Standard 4: Administration and Business Practices, at Star 4 for family child care programs ONLY, the program is required to use “an appropriate tool to measure the overall quality of their business and professional practices annually.” What’s an “appropriate...
My program hasn’t used a Continuous Quality Improvement Plan before. Where do I start?
In Standard 2: Program Evaluation, starting at Star 3, programs are required to create a Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Plan. If your program doesn’t have a specific document called a “CQI Plan,” you might feel overwhelmed or have questions about where to...
Update: Expiration Dates for Rising Stars for ME QRIS
The transition from Quality for ME to Rising Stars for ME was completed at the end of March 2023. All programs were given a minimum of six months to meet all Standards to maintain their Star rating and the new Rising Stars for ME certificates reflect updated...
I have a degree in Special Education. Do I still need to take the Supporting Inclusion: Laws and Practices on-demand training?
In Standard 4: Administration and Business Practices, at Star 3 the Program Director/Owner is required to complete the six-hour on-demand training Supporting Inclusion: Laws and Practices. This requirement applies to both family child care programs and...
Once I start the application, do I have to finish it all at once? Can I pick up where I left off?
First off, for a quick review, here’s what you’ll need to log in to the application: Your MRTQ Registry login email and password. Current approval for Director of Record Access (DoRA) or DoRA Assistant. Your program’s license number. Once you log in, you can start a...
I’m overwhelmed by the Rising Stars for ME Inclusive Practices Checklist. Where do I start?
In Standard 2: Program Evaluation, at Stars 3, 4, and 5 a program is required to complete all or parts of the Rising Stars for ME Inclusive Practices Checklist as part of the program’s overall Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Plan. At first glance, this document...
Can you explain more about the requirement in Star 4 for “an articulated approach to learning and development?”
In Standard 1: Learning Environment and Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Star 4 adds a requirement for a program to have an articulated approach to learning and development. This document is referred to as a “Written Curriculum Framework” in your program’s...
How should a Program Director at a facility document completion of Leadership training for Standard 4.3.4? What if I completed a college course on program administration instead of the MRTQ PDN training?
The purpose of this requirement is to ensure that at least one individual in a program leadership position has training or college course work addressing leadership, management, and/or program administration skills. Programs will self-report their documentation for...
I have not completed the MELDS or IT MELDS, but I have a college degree and ten years of experience. Can I get a waiver for this training requirement?
You can read this previous Tip of the Week to learn more about who in your program is required to take which Maine Early Learning and Development Standards (MELDS) training. Read these requirements carefully, as they have changed from Quality for ME! The Infant...