Rhode Island has developed BrightStars, a quality rating system for early learning and child care programs, in order to improve family access to high quality programs across the state. BrightStars is coordinated by Rhode Island KIDS COUNT and the Rhode Island Association for the Education of Young Children with primary funding from United Way of Rhode Island. BrightStars is led by a 30-member steering committee including representatives from all sectors of the early learning and child care field, state department leaders, and key local experts and advocates. Quality rating systems exist in 16 states and are a proven strategy to systematically improve the quality of state-licensed programs. Learn more about the initiative at www.brightstars.org.

El estado de Rhode Island ha creado el programa de BrightStars, un sistema de evaluación para el aprendizaje temprano y los programas de cuidado infantil para optimizar el acceso que las familias tienen a los programas de alta calidad en el estado. El programa de BrightStars está coordinado por Rhode Island KIDS COUNT y Rhode Island Association for the Education of Young Children con la financiación primaria de United Way of Rhode Island. El programa de BrightStars está dirigido por un Comité de Gestión de 30 miembros los cuales incluyen: representantes de todos los sectores de educación temprana y cuidado infantil, líderes de agencies estatales, expertos locales, y defensores. Los sistemas de evaluaciones son vigentes en 16 estados y han probado ser estrategias que sistemáticamente mejoran la calidad de los pogramas certificados por el estado.

BrightStars Pilot Phase Launched
 BrightStars, a child care quality rating system created to improve the care and education of infants, toddlers pre-schoolers and school aged children in Rhode Island, is being piloted is being piloted during the 2007 -2008 school year. Tammy Camillo is the Director of RIAEYC and BrightStars. Learn more about the initiative at www.brightstars.org.