Steps To Quality

Become Part of an Early Learning Community Focused on Quality!

Steps to Quality is dedicated to enhancing programs that serve children birth to five with information, resources, technical assistance, coaching, and professional development opportunities.

Steps to Quality uses an approach of individualized strength-based approach and is aligned with California’s Comprehensive Quality Rating Improvement System Framework. Quality Counts California works toward ensuring positive outcomes for the state’s infants, toddlers, and preschoolers through high quality early learning experiences.

Steps to Quality Builds on a Program’s Strengths!

Providers can choose an area of focus and the number of areas to focus on to meet their quality enhancement goals:

Social and emotional development
Child development
School readiness
Adult-child interactions

Professional development
Family engagement
Nutrition and physical development
Environment and program administration

Benefits of Participation

Coaching

Access individualized mentoring and on-site coaching and technical assistance from an Early Learning Specialist to support individual and program growth.

Financing

Stipends for trainings and education and financial incentives for completing professional development goals.

Workshops

Quality workshops and trainings are held locally, typically at no-cost to participants.

Supplies

Materials and supplies to promote learning are available according to the step and site choices.

Recognition

Recognition from families, peers, and community members for achieving quality levels.

Networking

Network with other providers in the Early Learning Community working toward the common goal of quality improvement.

How To Join

Fill out our contact form.

Meet with one of our specialists to discuss your programs quality improvement goals.

Complete the program participation application.

Receive notice of program acceptance and next steps for on-boarding.

Who is eligible?

Programs serving children birth to age five:

Early Head Start and Head Start Programs
Family Child Care Homes
Familiar Family Places (home visiting, family service programs, libraries)
Family Friend and Neighbor Providers
Infant/Toddler Programs
Private Center-Based Programs
State-funded part-day or full-day programs

Participator Testimonials

We love our Steps to Quality Staff, they go above and beyond with support and guidance for our program. — Center Director

I appreciate the recognition of the hard work we do for the children in our county. — Family Child Care Provider

We appreciate the coaching and direction from the Steps to Quality Specialists. Their input was helpful for both improving our environments and creating professional development opportunities for staff. As a result of our involvement we developed a Professional Learning Community with our teaching team. — Center Director

Helpful Links

Butte County Professional Development

Butte Quality Early Learning Initiative Steps to Quality schedule of events available for everyone.

Butte County Quality Rated Participating Providers

Locate a high quality early care provider or educator near you.

California Early Childhood Online Professional Development

Online resources for early childhood educators to discover best practices in early education that reflect current knowledge and meet developmental needs of children and families.

California ECE Competencies

A guide for early childhood educators as they journey through the exploration of their strengths and needs with the intention of improving practice.

Child Development Training Consortium

Enroll in the ECE Student Career and Education Program for professional growth.

Quality Counts California

Ensures that children in California have access to high quality programs so they thrive in their early learning settings and succeed in kindergarten and beyond.

Steps to Quality Form Library

View and download important forms.

Workforce Registry

Register for a California Early Care and Workforce to build your professional development portfolio, discover employment and professional development opportunities.

Steps to Quality Rating Criteria

Learn the criteria we follow to rate programs on a scale of 1–5.