About
STARS is Vermont’s Quality Recognition and Improvement System (QRIS) for child care, preschool, and afterschool programs.
Participation in STARS means that a program is striving beyond licensing regulations to meet higher quality standards, uphold professional practices, and commit to continuous quality improvement.
STARS Revision
On July 1, 2023, the Child Development Division (CDD) launched a revision to STARS.
The revised model reflects the unique culture and identity of quality practices in Vermont’s early childhood and afterschool programs and offers equitable opportunities for programs and providers to participate. The system focuses Vermont’s efforts more closely on positive outcomes for children, engagement of families, and support of our early childhood and afterschool programs.
STARS Revision Acclimation Period
A STARS Revision Acclimation Period has been extended through June 30, 2025. The acclimation period allows programs to navigate changes in the new model with coaching support at their current STARS level.
Participating programs will maintain their current STARS levels during the pilot period. The STARS Team will contact programs due to renew their STARS certificates to offer training and guidance, and to introduce new resources.
STARS Trainings
Live Training Sessions
The live sessions count towards professional development hours as required by Vermont Child Care Licensing Regulations.
Next sessions:
- April 16, 2024, 1-2:30 p.m., details and registration
- April 22, 2024, 6-7:30 p.m., details and registration
STARS Office Hours
Beginning March 21, join the CDD STARS team on Thursdays from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. to answer questions about the program. Join the sessions via Teams.
STARS Communities of Practice
Work together with peers and SPARQS and CDD STARS team members to develop your program’s STARS-approvable CQI Plan over 4 (changed from 5) monthly sessions. Attendance at all 4 sessions is required. Learn more and register online.
Dates and times:
- April 6, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Please note that the April session has been canceled and will not be rescheduled.
- May 22, 5-6 p.m.
- June 15, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
- July 10, 5- 7 p.m.
- August 10, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Training Videos
Training videos on YouTube (Subscribe to our Channel):
- STARS - An Overview of the New Model
- STARS CQI Plan - An Introduction
- Overview, Elements of Quality and Standards
- Level 2 Self Study and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Plan
- Level 3 Early Implementation
- Level 4 and 5 Moving Toward Full Implementation of Best Practice
- Completing the STARS Application
Resources and Tools
- STARS Revision Levels and Content Areas Chart (pdf)
- STARS Guidance Manual (pdf) - The manual is a living document that will be updated frequently during the pilot period.
- STARS FAQs (pdf)
- New program supports are now available! CDD and the Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children (VTAEYC) have launched the System for Program Access to Resources for Quality Supports (SPARQS) to help guide programs through the new revision and to build and execute their plans for quality improvement.
Templates and Examples
- CQI Plan Template (pdf)
- CQI Plan Example (pdf)
- Child Observation Example Questions (PDF) and Child Observation Template (pdf)
- Learning Activity Planning Template (AOE) (pdf)
- Learning Activity Planning Template (STARS CQI) (pdf)
- STARS Youth Survey for Afterschool Programs (Word)
Apply to STARS
Questions or Feedback
- Contact the STARS team at STARS@vermont.gov or 1-800-649-2642, option 8.
- STARS FAQs (pdf)
- STARS Revision Model Information and Training Feedback Survey
