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Program quality standards play a key role in defining, measuring, and holding providers accountable for the quality of experiences offered in Rhode Island's early care and education settings. Learn more about the program quality continuum below.

Rhode Island's Program Quality Continuum

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Rhode Island’s Program Quality Continuum
DHS, BrightStars and RIDE revised and aligned regulations and standards to create a logical pathway for continuous program improvement. The Quality Continuum for early childhood education programs begins with the foundational requirements of DHS licensing/BEP regulations. As programs make quality improvements they move up through the 1-5 Star BrightStars rating process. The highest bar in the quality continuum for preschool and kindergarten programs is approval under RIDE’s 2013 CECE Standards for Approval. Learn More...

Learn more about Licensing

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The Department of Human Services Office of Child Care managed the Child Care Licensing Unit. For more information on licensing regulations or to apply to become Licensing visit... Learn more...

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Learn more about BrightStars

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BrightStars, Rhode Island’s Tiered Quality Rating and Improvement system, assists families in finding care and recognizes and supports quality in early care and education programs. Learn More...

Learn more about RIDE CECE Approval

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RIDE’s CECE Program Standards reflect the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s commitment to central elements of high quality early childhood education including the understanding that: In the early childhood years, children develop the foundation upon which subsequent development in all domains of learning is built. Learn More...

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Resources to help programs move up the program quality continuum

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Technical Assistance
Center for Early Learning Professionals Technical assistance (TA) is a customized process that helps programs to improve quality and outcomes for children. At the Center for Early Learning Professionals, our TA specialists work with early childhood program leaders individually and in small groups. Our TA builds on programs’ strengths and responds to their unique needs. Programs participating in TA services will also learn how they can link their accomplishments in the above areas to the Quality Improvement Grant application process.
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Rhode Island Child Care and Early Learning Facilities Fund

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Child Care Facilities Fund

The Rhode Island Child Care and Early Learning Facilities Fund (RICCELFF) is a public – private partnership designed to help child care and early learning programs develop safe, high quality learning environments – indoors and outdoors. We support organizations with the development of new facilities as well as improvements to existing spaces.
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About Rhode Island’s Early Learning Data System (ECEDS)

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ECEDS
The Rhode Island Early Care and Education Data System is a place to centralize data about the early care and education system in Rhode Island. Help is available to support providers in data entry. Learn More...

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Rhode Island’s Early Learning Data System

Find out more about Health, Safety and Mental Health Support

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SUCCESS
SUCCESS is a free service that pairs early learning programs with Early Childhood Mental Health Consultants to support the social, emotional, and behavioral health needs of identified children.
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CCAP Required Health and Safety Trainings
CCAP providers must have annually health, safety, child development and emergency preparedness training annually.

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Child Care Licensing Background Clearance Checks
Background checks are available through the Attorney General’s Office for those seeking employment in child care.

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Suspension and Expulsion
Suspension and expulsion are practices which are not supported in Rhode Island unless all other options have been exhausted. Suspension and expulsion are generally not considered to be in the best interest of children and families. In general, when Rhode Island programs have a child they are concerned about, they must first work with the child’s teacher and community supports, such as SUCCESS or KidsConnect, in order to formulate a plan for supporting the child in the classroom. Learn more…

Supporting Children with Disabilities in Child Welfare or Experiencing Adverse Circumstances

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Serving Children and Families Experiencing Homelessness

Families experiencing homelessness face unique barriers to accessing quality child care. Learn more…

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Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF)
The Department of Children, Youth and Families provides child welfare services and support to children in foster care, or in need of adoption. Learn more...

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Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) Early Childhood Special Education
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Rhode Island Regulations Governing the Education of Children with Disabilities ensure that all children with disabilities, including children with developmental delays, who require special education to meet their educational needs are provided a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE) in accordance with their individual needs. Learn more...

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Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

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Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a USDA federally funded program administered by the RI Department of Education. It is designed to provide nutritious meals and snacks to eligible children and adults attending qualifying day care (non-residential) facilities. Learn more...