Quality Initiatives

Grow NJ Kids, New Jersey’s Quality Rating Improvement System, is New Jersey’s program to raise the quality of child care and early learning across the state. Grow NJ Kids gives both child care and early learning programs resources to assess and improve their programs, while providing parents with information that allows them to evaluate the quality of programs and make the best choices for their child. Programs participating in Grow NJ Kids are assigned a dedicated Technical Assistance Specialist that provides coaching and consultation related to the Grow NJ Kids standards of quality. In addition, programs participating in Grow NJ Kids have access to hundreds of training and professional development offerings and incentives, such as free classroom and curriculum materials. Ultimately, the goal of Grow NJ Kids is to create a standard way to look at child care and early learning, providing families with an objective rating system.

Technical Assistance Centers (TACs) provide coaching, mentoring, classroom resources, classroom environment feedback, professional development, and curriculum support in order to reach a quality rating, and to maintain continuous quality improvement after the rating process. To date, many centers and child care providers around NJ have reached a quality rating with the assistance and mentoring of a TAC. TACs have specialized practical knowledge and skills to share, which empowers providers to create and implement the most effective programming for their children and build a brighter future for children by promoting family wellness, positive parenting, healthy child development, and nurturing communities. They educate parents, provide training and technical assistance to youth/family-serving organizations and schools, and keep community members informed. TACs also support programs by providing:

• Personalized Planning & Goal Setting – a dedicated Technical Assistance Specialist (TAS) helps to assess programs and then works with programs to develop a quality improvement plan in the areas that providers want to strengthen
• On-site visits, Phone calls & E-mails – to keep providers and their TAS connected, focused, and moving toward improvements at the providers’ pace
• Newsletters & Webinars – to celebrate success along the way, provide information, professional development, tips and helpful strategies from which the entire GNJK community can benefit
• Peer Learning Communities – regularly scheduled county-wide opportunities to meet with other GNJK programs to strengthen knowledge and skills in topics and areas of interest
• Modeling Sessions – demonstrating best practices for teachers
• Resource Referral – TACs have access to countless resources to support programs and their families

Since 2015, Grow NJ Kids has partnered with three regional TACs:
Central and Northeast Regions: Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Somerset, Essex, and Hudson
South Region: Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem
North Region: Bergen, Hunterdon, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, Union, and Warren

The Center for Research and Evaluation on Education and Human Services (CREEHS) is a research and evaluation center housed within Montclair State University’s College for Education and Engaged Learning.

• CREEHS acts as the official Rating Entity for Grow NJ Kids, conducting systematic, unbiased classroom observations, handling program self-assessment validation and providing technical assistance in rating coordination.
• Their work supports rating validity and equity, engaging stakeholders and refining the initiative based on data-driven evaluation.

Learn more at Montclair State University's website.

• Strengthen the quality of infant and toddler care to offer a setting that best promotes the healthy development of New Jersey’s youngest children.
• Support age-appropriate activities and approaches to learning and child development.
• Offer suggestions and strategies to meet common challenges.
• Expand the availability of infant and toddler care in every community.

The Center for Autism and Early Childhood Mental Health at Montclair State University has partnered with the Division of Family Development (DFD) since 2016 to implement the Socio-Emotional Formation Initiative (SEFI). SEFI supports the statewide integration of professional development opportunities aimed at promoting the social and emotional well-being and inclusion of all infants, toddlers and young children both with and without developmental, emotional and behavioral difficulties. SEFI approaches this work through the full continuum of promotion, prevention and intervention efforts. This initiative provides specialized technical assistance, infant and early childhood mental health consultation, professional development and education to improve social emotional development and inclusion in DFD funded programs.

Eligible child care centers and family child care providers may submit a request for support using the Quality Initiatives Quicklink located in your NJ Child Care Information System (NJCCIS) profile.

Learn more at Montclair State University's website.

New Jersey has partnered with the Central Jersey Family Health Consortium to implement the Child Care Health Consultants Quality Initiative. The initiative is designed to inform and support early childhood and school-age staff and leadership on requirements and best practices related to health, safety, and nutrition. CCHC provides training and technical assistance based on nationally-recommended best practices and standards. Additionally, the Child Care Health Consultants collaborate with other DFD-sponsored programs and initiatives to improve the quality of care and promote the health and safety of children, families and their teachers.

Learn more at Central Jersey Family Health Consortium's website.

The Statewide Parent Advocacy Network provides support to parents and early care and education providers (both center- and home-based) via trainings, technical assistance, information and resources to enhance understanding of the needs of all young children, including those with special needs. Since SPAN’s founding in 1987, the program has piloted and run multiple projects and programs to teach both families and caregivers how to advocate for their children in their local school districts. The network’s foremost commitment is to children and families with the greatest need due to disability or special health/mental health needs; poverty; discrimination based on race/ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, immigrant or homeless status; involvement in the child welfare or juvenile justice systems; geographic location; or other special circumstances.

Learn more at SPAN Parent Advocacy Network's website.

New Jersey’s Afterschool and Out-of-School Time (OST) Professional Network (NJSACC) provides various opportunities for providers in the afterschool network. This includes professional development, training and other educational services to improve school age children’s afterschool and out-of-school time experience. NJSACC envisions a New Jersey where every child has access to high-quality afterschool and OST programs that support learning, personal growth and career readiness. These programs are essential for working families, academic success and youth well-being. To achieve their vision, NJSACC provides technical assistance and resources via experienced Quality Coaches, on-site training and workshops held across the state. NJSACC also advocates for policies that ensure equitable access, workforce development and sustained investment in OST programs, with an emphasis on social & emotional learning and trauma-informed care.

Learn more at NJSACC's website.

Seeking support for your school-age childcare program? Eligible programs and providers may submit a request for support using the Quality Initiatives Quicklink located in your NJ Child Care Information System (NJCCIS) profile.

The Early Childhood Leadership Institute (ECLI) supports the professional development needs of early childhood leaders participating in New Jersey’s Quality Rating and Improvement System, Grow NJ Kids, and other quality initiatives. ECLI has worked with regional leaders and programs since 2016 to build capacity and promote continuous professional growth through customized professional development that focuses on evaluation, coaching and training. ECLI partners with the New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Family Development (DFD) to provide supports to meet the professional development needs of early childhood leaders working within New Jersey’s Quality Rating and Improvement System and other quality initiatives, as well as Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) agency subsidy staff. Most recently, ECLI has worked with DFD to create the HEART of Leadership Series for center-based directors. ECLI is launching the New Jersey Early Childhood Apprenticeship Pilot Program, which is focused on expanding the number of child care staff with the Infant/Toddler Child Development Associate (CDA) certification and increasing the capacity of the infant and toddler workforce across New Jersey. This successful partnership with DFD has allowed the institute to expand its scope to include additional partners such as the NJ Department of Education, NJ Department of Children and Families, The Nicholson Foundation, and the Henry and Marilyn Taub Foundation

ECLI’s Professional Development Framework highlights include:

• Implementing Needs Assessments to customize professional development.
• Evaluating program impact through Introductory/Baseline, post-Orientation, and ongoing surveys utilizing state TAS Standards, in addition to PD Feedback Forms, and focus groups.
• Utilizing Implementation Science within framework.
• Providing Foundational Training as well as periodic practice-based role-specific training.
• Utilizing feedback loops.
• Employing technology to provide ongoing access to training content, resources, and a platform for collaboration.
• Facilitating communities and forums to support implementation of and sustainability of new practices and promote connections within roles and across roles.
• Supporting leaders at all levels: state staff, TA Center & CCR&R Directors, Technical Assistance Providers, and Child Care Providers.
• Offering coaching for more intense support in skill development.
• Providing opportunities for engaging in reflective practice.
• Supporting development and emerges in response to the needs and direction of organizations.
• Spearheading research and conceptualization of leadership development in early childhood education.
• Bridging training to higher education credentials (Certificate of Graduate Studies in Early Childhood in Technical Assistance and Coaching).
• Spearheading the unification of definitions of PD, Coaching, etc. and proposing state standards to support and guide those in Leadership and Management roles within their agencies.

Implemented through the Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agencies, Shared Services Alliances are county-based, membership organizations dedicated to advancing high-quality early care and education through resource sharing, capacity building and community partnerships. By pooling resources and expertise, the Alliances aims to strengthen member organizations, improve job quality and increase financial sustainability, ultimately leading to improved outcomes for children and families.

More information and links to individual county Alliance websites are available on our Shared Services Alliances page.

The NJ Workforce Registry, located within the NJ Child Care Information System (NJCCIS), is an online database that records and recognizes a person’s education, training, and work experience in the field of early childhood education. The goal of the NJ Workforce Registry is to help participants track their annual professional development hours while providing data about the NJ early childhood workforce. Members can register for courses directly through the registry and access their personalized education and training. Additionally, the NJ Workforce Registry administers the Early Childhood Scholarship program, awarding scholarships to teachers and assistant teachers working in child care programs participating in the Child Care Assistance Program or Grow NJ Kids. Scholarships are available to support members seeking to earn a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential as well as AA, BA and P-3 college degrees.

More information is available on our CDA Training and College Coursework Scholarships page.

The New Jersey Early Childhood Apprenticeship Pilot Program is focused on expanding the number of child care staff with the Infant/Toddler Child Development Associate (CDA) certification and increasing the capacity of the infant and toddler workforce across New Jersey. For the pilot, New Jersey has committed to supporting up to 20 licensed child care centers to employ up to 20 full-time apprentices across the state. Participating centers will receive up to $15,000 to support on-the-job training, mentorship and wages of the apprentice. Additionally, the apprentices’ educational requirements will be supported through the NJ Scholarship Program as they pursue their CDA. It is estimated that most apprentices will complete the requirements of the program within 18 months.

An early childhood apprenticeship is an arrangement between an employer (the licensed child care center) and an employee that allows the worker to gain direct experience working with children through supervised on-the-job learning. This is in conjunction with the completion of required coursework and/or training. At the end of the apprenticeship, the employee may earn a recognized credential or certificate.

More information is available on our CDA Training and College Coursework Scholarships page.