The Bronze Circle of Quality in ExceleRate Illinois recognizes qualifications and professional development, with the completion of a robust series of trainings for teachers and program administrators.
Bronze Circle trainings prepare programs for success as they progress through the Circles of Quality. Programs must be IDCFS licensed for at least one year and have all pending and substantiated IDCFS violations from the previous year cleared (at application and yearly thereafter).
Where Should a Center Start?
The site program administrator should complete the ExceleRate Illinois Orientation for licensed child care programs to learn the details of participation in ExceleRate. From there, decide which Circle of Quality your program would like to work towards. Explaining ExceleRate to your teaching staff and getting them involved in classroom and program improvements is an integral step in being successful in the process. A CCR&R Quality or Infant Toddler Specialist at your local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) can help in explaining to teachers how they impact the program’s quality and overall success in ExceleRate.
The Bronze Circle of Quality requirements are detailed on the pdf Bronze Circle of Quality chart (216 KB) . Please review the pdf Required Training Grid (483 KB) for Silver training requirements.
Applying for a Bronze Circle of Quality
A program can apply for the Bronze Circle of Quality when the training requirements have been completed and the requirements of Standards 4A and 4B have been met.
Licensed Child Care Center Application
Application to Gateways Credentials is required at all Circles of Quality (Standards 4A and 4B of the Overview of Standards Chart). Each year, progress must be shown toward meeting applicable Gateways Credentials.
Gateways Credentials (i.e. ECE Credential Levels 3-5, Infant Toddler Credential Levels 3-5, and the Illinois Director Credential Levels I-III) meet the following ExceleRate Illinois training requirements (across all Circles of Quality):
- Finding a Curriculum that Works for You
- Introduction to Developmental Screening Tools
- Fundamentals of Child Assessment
- Welcoming Each & Every Child
- Family and Community: Partners in Learning
- An Introduction to Transitions
- Understanding and Planning for Continuous Quality Improvement
- Basics of Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Practice
- Creating Individual Professional Development Plans
You can connect with a Quality or Infant Toddler Specialist at your local CCR&R agency for free technical assistance and consultation services to help your program prepare.
ExceleRate Eligibility at Bronze
Programs can hold a Bronze Circle of Quality for two, 3- year periods. During that time, your program will need to complete an annual report every 12 months updating program information, including a Continuous Quality Improvement Plan (CQIP) of staff progress toward achieving Credential requirements. After this time period, your program will need to apply for Silver or Gold.
To maintain eligibility each year, the program must submit an annual report, that may include:
- IDCFS License in good standing with all pending and substantiated violations from the previous 12 months cleared. It is the provider's responsibility to clear these violations with their IDCFS representative.
- Maintaining administrator & staff qualification requirements. If the program is not meeting Credential requirements, CQIP must be shown of work accomplished over the previous 12 months. This includes specific training/coursework taken to meet applicable Credential requirements. Progress since the last CQIP must be shown.