Michigan has launched a Tiered Quality Rating and Improvement System, Great Start to Quality, for all
child care providers as of October 2011.  Great Start to Quality launched on Friday, October 14, 2011.

What is it?

• Great Start to Quality is a system of progressive standards that has a continuum of five levels for licensed child care providers.
• Each Level represents slightly higher standards and a higher level of quality.
• Higher levels of quality during early learning experiences correlate to greater school readiness, particularly for children with high needs.
 

Michigan has developed a set of Great Start to Quality standards that uses a point system approach to move through the five levels of quality.

• Level One indicates that an early learning and development program has met the licensing requirements, and Level Five represents the highest level of standards.
• All licensed programs serving children birth through five enter Great Start to Quality at Level One, and have an opportunity to choose to move up the quality continuum through online and consultative supports.
• Great Start to Quality supports vary depending on the type of support and the quality level of the early learning and development program.