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Learning starts early. Even before children crawl, they’ve started to develop learning, language and social skills. Their minds absorb everything around them. So you want to make sure they’re in a quality learning environment. 

Grow NJ Kids has enlisted many programs (all types of programs can participate in Grow NJ Kids – a child care center, a school- or center-based preschool program, a Head Start program, as well as a registered family child care provider, who cares for children in his/her home) in an effort to improve the quality of child care and early learning in New Jersey. One result of that effort is a rating system to help parents find the right program that will lead to their child’s success. 
 

Reading the Stars

Grow NJ Kids star ratings easily help families recognize quality programs but are just one of several factors to consider in finding the right program for their family’s needs. 

The information below gives examples of what programs completed to get their star rating. All Grow NJ Kids-rated programs showcase different levels of high-quality. Programs rated at three stars or more are implementing standards significantly above basic licensing requirements. 
 

Participating Program  
  • A license or certificate of registration from the Department of Children and Families or a Department of Education-approved school district.
  • Completed the Grow NJ Kids Director’s Orientation.
  • Completed a self-assessment and quality improvement plan that identifies areas of strength and how the program will work toward a Grow NJ Kids rating.
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  • Met all of the requirements as a Grow NJ Kids participating program/provider.
  • All teaching staff attended a minimum of five hours of training on selected research-based curriculum/developmentally appropriate practices.
  • Classrooms met quality standards, using a nationally recognized rating scale.
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  • Met all of the requirements for three stars.
  • All teaching staff attended a minimum of 10 training hours on selected research-based curriculum/developmentally appropriate practices.
  • Classrooms met high-quality standards, using a nationally recognized rating scale.
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  • Met all of the requirements for four stars.
  • Implemented research-based curriculum and developmentally appropriate practices.
  • Classrooms met high-quality standards, using a nationally recognized rating scale.

If you receive benefits from the NJ Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) and you choose a Grow NJ Kids rated provider, your child care benefit rate will be higher based on the providers rating.


Download our printable Finding Quality Child Care checklist (English | en español) to use when looking for a child care or early learning program.
 

Start Your Search for a Grow NJ Kids-Rated Provider Now!

 


9/6/24