Resources for
participating providers
We’re here to support you with the resources, information and
forms you’ll need throughout your Step Up to Quality journey.
If you have any questions, please contact your coach or our team at nde.stepuptoquality@nebraska.gov.
Steps at a glance
Step 1: can be completed entirely online!
- Director or Lead Designee will complete the Step Up to Quality Orientation training (1.5 in-service hours)
- Director or Lead Designee will enter the Program Information into NECPRS (The “Program Information” is accessed through the director’s own account. If you do not have director access, contact Step Up to Quality)
- All staff must create NECPRS accounts or update their employment if they have an existing NECPRS account
- Apply in NECPRS using the “Step Up to Quality Progress” checklist
Step 2: is all about training!
- Director or Lead Designee will complete the following:
-
- At Least 4 Early Learning Guidelines (ELG) Domains (24 hours)
- Special Care Training (3 hours)
- Choice of: Introduction to the Environment Rating Scales or Introduction to the CLASS (4 hours). Note: Family child care can choose between Introduction to the Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale (FCCERS-3) or Introduction to the Toddler CLASS.
- Go NAPSACC Pre Self-Assessments
- Apply in NECPRS using the “Step Up to Quality Progress Checklist”
Steps 3-5: there are two options for moving forward!
- Programs may request a rating review to advance to Step 3 without an on-site Environment Rating Scale (ERS) or CLASS Observation.
- Programs may request a rating review to advance to Steps 3, 4, or 5, which includes an on-site ERS or CLASS Observation.
For either option, a minimum of 50 points must be earned from the indicators selected on the Rating Request Form. A program’s overall score on the ERS or CLASS determines the final rating:
- A program overall score below 3.75 results in a Step 3 rating
- A program overall score of at least 3.75 results in a Step 4 rating
- A program overall score of at least 4.75 results in a Step 5 rating
Go NAPSACC
Go NAPSACC (Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care) walks child care providers and educators through a series of steps to make healthy changes to their programs.
To reach Step 2, Step Up to Quality programs must submit the pre self-assessment covering five areas. Areas include nutrition, physical activity, outdoor play, screen time, and breastfeeding and infant feeding.
Create an account on Go NAPSACC to access the self-assessments.
Observation tools
Enrolled programs select either the Environment Rating Scale (ERS) or the Classroom Assessment Scoring System™ (CLASS) observation tool and complete the required training for that tool.
Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS)
CLASS is an observation tool that measures the effectiveness of classroom interactions among teachers and children, including emotional support, classroom organization and instructional support. These daily interactions promote children’s social and cognitive development.
CLASS observation tools have been developed for Infant, Toddler, Pre–K, K–3, Upper Elementary and Secondary age groups. At every age level, CLASS focuses on interactions that support learning.
The CLASS self-assessment form can be used by directors and teachers to internally identify strengths and focus on changes the program plans to make:
- CLASS self-assessment form for centers (English)
- CLASS self-assessment form for centers (Español)
- CLASS self-assessment form for family child care (English)
- CLASS self-assessment form for family child care (Español)
CLASS training options
Visit necprs.ne.gov/training-public or check out the observation training guide to find and register for CLASS training.
- Introduction to the CLASS (4 hours)
This session provides a basic understanding of the CLASS (Infant, Toddler, or PreK-3rd), its various uses, the domains, and the teacher-child interactions that support children’s learning, including additional time for guided video observations to deepen CLASS knowledge. This session does not prepare participants to complete observations in classrooms.
- CLASS Observation
This two- or three-day session provides a deep understanding of the CLASS (Infant, Toddler, or PreK-3), the domains and the teacher-child interactions that support children’s learning, and how to code using video observations. Completion of the online reliability test allows participants to conduct CLASS observations in classrooms per Teachstone guidelines but not for Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) needs. Note: Attending the Introduction to the CLASS session is not a prerequisite. Attending the CLASS Observation training can be taken in place of the Introduction to the CLASS training.
Environment Rating Scales (ERS)
ERS is an observation tool that assesses the quality of interactions between adults and children, including classroom schedules, materials and spaces available and accessible to children. The use of ERS is a widely accepted method of evaluating and improving the quality of home- and center-based programs.
Environment Rating Scales is broadly defined and currently includes the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-Third Edition (ECERS-3), the Infant Toddler Environment Rating Scale-Third Edition (ITERS-3) and the Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale-3 (FCCERS-3).
The target audience for the ITERS and ECERS are center based programs, public schools, and Head Start/Early Head Start programs. The target audience for FCCERS is family child care providers.
The FCCERS-3 and ITERS-3/ECERS-3 self-assessment forms can be used by directors and teachers to internally identify strengths and focus on changes the program plans to make.
- FCCERS-3 self-assessment form (English)
- FCCERS-3 self-assessment form (Español)
- ITERS-3/ECERS-3 self-assessment form (English)
- ITERS-3/ECERS-3 self-assessment form (Español)
ERS training options
Visit necprs.ne.gov/training-public or check out the observation training guide to find and register for Environment Rating Scales training.
- Introduction to the Environment Rating Scales (4 hours) This session provides a basic understanding of the Environment Rating Scales (ECERS-3 and ITERS-3 or FCCERS-3). ECERS-3 and ITERS-3 Introduction training are typically held together while the Introduction training for FCCERS-3 is usually a separate training. Participants learn some of the important concepts in the ERS, the scoring process and how using the ERS can impact the quality of an early childhood program.
- A Closer Look (6 hours) This session is a facilitated discussion to provide a deeper understanding of the items in each of the Environment Rating Scales. Participants should have already attended the Introduction to the Environment Rating Scales.
- Item Analysis (7 hours) This full-day session is a facilitated discussion of each item to provide an in-depth understanding of the items in a specific scale. This session is designed specifically for persons who will be conducting observations and is required for individuals interested in contracting with the NDE Office of Early Childhood. Participants should have already attended the Introduction to the Environment Rating Scales.
- Practice Using the Environment Rating Scales This one- or two-day session is for participants who have already attended the Introduction to the Environment Rating Scales and will find it beneficial to have also attended the Closer Look training for the scale they wish to practice with.Participants are assigned to small groups to observe in local early childhood programs and practice the observation and scoring process. Participants can practice using one scale for one day or two different scales each of the two days. If you are interested in attending a Practice Using the Environment Rating Scale training, please complete our training request form.
Become a Nebraska-approved observer
The Nebraska Department of Education, Office of Early Childhood is recruiting individuals to join a cadre of early childhood professionals to conduct observations for Step Up to Quality in community child care programs, family child care homes, school district programs, Head Start programs and for Results Matter in public school district early childhood programs.
Tools used for observations will be Environment Rating Scales (ERS) for preschool (ECERS-3), infants and toddlers (ITERS-3) and family child care homes (FCCERS-3) and Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) for Pre-K, Toddlers and Infants.
Learn more about qualifications for the position and access the application here.
For questions about becoming an Environment Rating Scale or CLASS observer, contact Jenny Fleming at jenny.fleming@nebraska.gov or at 531-530-9028.
Forms
Rating Request Form for child care centers, preschools, Head Start/Early Head Start and public school programs
Submitting a rating request form is your official request for a rating review site visit and on-site observation, if applicable. Once your form has been submitted and approved, no changes may be made to selected indicators.
Director of Record Form
Every participating program needs to have a Director of Record on file with Step Up to Quality.
Curriculum
Step Up to Quality recommends curriculum tools that are evidence-based, aligned with the Nebraska Early Learning Guidelines, are developmentally appropriate and incorporate nutrition and/or physical activity for children.
If your curriculum does not appear on the list of aligned curricula, you can submit your curriculum for review and approval by completing the curriculum alignment form.
FAQs
Why should I have a Step Up to Quality coach?
Taking advantage of a Step Up to Quality coach, whether it’s early coaching in a cohort after you achieve Step 1 or enter at Step 3 or one-on-one coaching after you achieve Step 2, is completely free and voluntary. Most participating programs agree that coaching is the most beneficial form of support offered by Step Up to Quality. Coaches have been in your shoes and are dedicated to motivating and supporting you as you work toward your goals. Learn more about coaching here.
What should I expect after submitting a rating request form?
After the form is submitted, an email will be sent by Step Up to Quality confirming your 90-day window for on-site visit(s) which includes the rating review and the CLASS or ERS observation(s) if applicable.
If a CLASS or ERS observation is requested, you will be contacted by the Program Quality Specialist shortly before the two-week window when your scheduled on-site observation(s) will take place. Each assigned observer will contact you one business day before the scheduled on-site observation. You will be contacted by the Rating Reviewer shortly before the scheduled rating review site visit.
Once all site visits are completed and scores are finalized, a Step recommendation will be made to the Department of Health and Human Services. Once confirmed, you will receive your rating results within approximately 30 days.
How often can my program be rated?
Your program can request an on-site observation and rating review once per year (based on the date printed on your last certificate) if you are ready to move up a step.
Step ratings expire on the following schedule:
- Step 3: every two years (unless entering at Step 3)
- Step 4: every two years
- Step 5: every five years
Programs must submit a rating request form and have it approved within the month prior to their rating expiration date — or the program will return to a Step 2 rating. School district, Head Start and accredited programs will return to a Step 3 rating.
What types of programs are eligible to enter at a Step 3?
Early childhood programs operated by a public school or Educational Service Unit are eligible to enter Step Up to Quality at a Step 3 rating. These programs must complete all Step 1 requirements.
Head Start and Early Head Start programs are eligible to enter Step Up to Quality at a Step 3 rating. These programs must complete all Step 1 requirements. Head Start and Early Head Start programs must be in good standing with federal and other state or local monitoring systems to participate in Step Up to Quality.
Accredited programs are eligible to enter Step Up to Quality at a Step 3 rating. These programs must complete all Step 1 requirements. This includes programs accredited by:
- National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
- National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC)
- National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA)
- Council on Accreditation (COA)
- Cognia
- National Lutheran School Accreditation (NLSA)
- American Montessori Society (AMS)
All the programs mentioned above are not eligible to receive quality incentive bonuses or a higher subsidy reimbursement rate until they move up at least one Step from Step 3.
What rating documentation should I gather for my rating review visit?
Programs will provide documentation to verify whether they are meeting certain requirements. Documentation includes:
- Child files
- Child portfolios
- Parent handbook
- Program policies
- Staff handbook and policies/procedures
- Documentation of staff orientation
- Staffing plans
- Lesson plans
- Daily schedules
- Curriculum plans/activity matrix
- Copies of completed child developmental screening forms
- Copies of completed child assessments
- Newsletters
- Facility website
- Notes from family conferences or meetings
- Information posted in the family resource area, library, classrooms, bulletin boards, resource binders, etc.
- Minutes and agendas from staff meetings
- Minutes and agendas from IEP/IFSP meetings
What if the Director of Record has changed?
Programs that participate in Step Up to Quality must have a professional record for the director/owner of the organization, whether the director oversees one or multiple sites. This person is known as the Director of Record. Note: In public schools, the Director of Record may be the lead classroom teacher.
The Director of Record can change after the initial applications are completed. Organizations must first update their information with Child Care Licensing. To update or change your Director of Record information with Step Up to Quality, please complete the form here. It is recommended that the new director complete:
- Step Up to Quality orientation
- Special Care training
- Introduction to the Environment Rating Scales or Introduction to the CLASS training