The Texas Workforce Commission now requires that all Child Care Services (CCS) regulated providers participate in the Texas Rising Star quality rating and improvement system. This is excellent news for children, families, and communities throughout the state that need quality childcare. With more high-quality programs now available, families can feel confident that their children are in safe, nurturing learning environments while they pursue careers outside the home.
This initiative also opens access to increased funding for programs with higher Texas Rising Star ratings. Not to mention, becoming Texas Rising Star certified will connect new and existing CCS providers with support systems that can help them improve their program quality and instructional practices.
If you are a new or current Child Care Services provider, you may have some questions about this new initiative. What are the minimum quality standards I must meet? What materials or furnishings will help me improve my Texas Rising Star rating? How can I make sure I don’t waste money on unnecessary purchases?
With decades of experience in early childhood education, Kaplan understands the impact initiatives such as these have on the children, families, and communities they serve. This article will address the questions above, and more so, you can save time, feel confident, and have clarity moving forward with Texas Rising Star’s certification requirements.
What is the Texas Rising Star initiative?
The Texas Rising Star program is the state’s quality rating and improvement system for early childhood providers who participate in the Child Care Services subsidy program. The Texas Workforce Commission oversees this program, which is available to licensed centers and licensed and registered home child care facilities that meet certification requirements.
Recent requirements mandate that all Child Care Services providers participate in the Texas Rising Star program. New and existing Child Care Services providers who are not currently Texas Rising Star certified must meet the minimum quality standards to receive Entry Level Designation, the first step in the certification process. After that, programs can move on to achieve two-star, three-star, or four-star ratings.
Why does Texas Rising Star certification matter?
The Texas Rising Star (TRS) program plays a vital role in strengthening both families and providers across the state. For parents and families, Texas Rising Star serves as a trusted benchmark of quality. When they leave their children in the care of a TRS-certified program, they can feel confident that their child (ren) will be safe, nurtured, and supported as they grow in developmentally appropriate ways.
For providers, Texas Rising Star is more than a rating system. It’s an opportunity to access increased funding and higher reimbursement rates, particularly as programs improve their quality ratings. Participation also connects Texas Rising Star-certified programs with mentors who can help them through the certification process and assist with purchases that enhance program and instructional quality.
What is the role of a Texas Rising Star mentor?
Texas Rising Star mentors provide technical assistance and coaching support to help early learning programs attain, maintain, and improve their certification status and star ratings. Mentors will often observe programs and help them identify ways they can improve their quality rating. It’s not uncommon for mentors to also help facilitate the ordering of products or supplies.
While support with purchases is always welcome, mentors may not always be aware of a program’s full inventory of furnishings and products. This lack of knowledge can often lead to mismatched orders and programs with an overabundance of items they don’t need, or a lack of items they desperately need.
To help offset these challenges, our Texas-based Sales Representatives work alongside mentors and Texas Rising Star-certified programs to ensure that the purchases they make fill educational gaps without unnecessary duplication. This is what one mentor said about her experience working with Kaplan:
What materials and furnishings will help me meet or improve my Texas Rising Star rating?
One of the key areas evaluated by Texas Rising Star is your program’s learning environment. As observers conduct quality rating reviews, they will determine how well each classroom provides safe, enriching, and developmentally appropriate learning experiences for children of all ages and abilities. Creating environments that meet or exceed star rating expectations isn’t just about compliance; it directly affects how children learn and thrive.
Examples of materials that will help you meet or improve your Texas Rising Star rating include:
- Inclusive furniture that ensures all children, regardless of ability, can participate equitably in classroom activities
- Age-appropriate materials that build early math, literacy, social, and emotional skills
- Nature-inspired items that bring calming elements into the classroom and foster a connection to the natural world
- Sensory materials that engage the senses and support self-regulation for all types of learners
- Outdoor learning solutions that extend lessons beyond the classroom walls and support physical development and discovery
- Professional development resources that promote confidence and resilience in early childhood leaders and educators
Please contact our Texas Sales Representatives if you have any questions about approved furnishings and materials for Texas Rising Star quality ratings and certification.
How will improving my Texas Rising Star rating impact my funding and enrollment?
Improving your Texas Rising Star rating has a direct impact on your program’s financial stability and community reputation. Programs with a higher rating will receive higher reimbursement rates from the Child Care Services program. Higher ratings mean more money flowing into your center, allowing you to invest in staff, classroom materials, and professional resources.
Families also look at Texas Rising Star ratings when deciding if a program is a reliable option for their child or children. Any program that goes above and beyond to meet or exceed minimum standards appears more attractive and developmentally supportive to prospective parents and families.
With additional funding and stronger family support, your program can increase enrollment, retain staff, and expand opportunities for children. Our mission at Kaplan is to help all Texas Rising Star providers stand out as high-quality choices in their community.
How can I ensure I’m not wasting money on duplicate or unnecessary products?
Purchasing the right products for your program should be simple, effective, and streamlined. The last thing you want to do is order materials that you do not need. With Kaplan’s online shopping portal, you can browse Texas Rising Star-approved materials, compare options, send quotes to leadership for final approval, and seamlessly finalize your purchases. Our user-friendly tool makes it easy for directors, administrators, educators, and even Texas Rising Star mentors to find precisely what they need, ensuring your program is ready to help children learn without delay!
Our team of Texas-based Sales Representatives will happily grant you access to our Texas Rising Star shopping portal. Click here to get started.
Let’s work together to build quality child care programs, one star rating at a time!
Texas Rising Star’s new rating requirements offer opportunities to strengthen program success, access greater funding, and give families confidence in the care they choose for their children. By investing in your program and classroom environments that meet or exceed Texas Rising Star standards, you will set children and families on a path toward lifelong success.
If you have any questions about this opportunity, need guidance on materials that align with this initiative, or would like access to our convenient online shopping portal, please reach out to a Texas Sales Representative today.
