The Silver Circle of Quality recognizes the completion of a rigorous self-assessment and implementation of continuous quality improvement in coordination with a CCR&R Quality or Infant Toddler Specialist. Verification by a state-approved assessor also occurs.
Silver Circle programs meet or exceed specific quality benchmarks on the learning environment and instructional quality, along with selected program administrative standards; staff qualifications; and professional development. 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).
Standards and evidence requirements are detailed on the pdf Child Care Center Standards Overview Chart (404 KB) .
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.
There are other trainings that may be required at the Silver Circle of Quality. Please review the pdf Required Training Grid (483 KB) for Silver training requirements. You may also wish to use the pdf Silver Training Tracker (317 KB) to help track your program's progress toward meeting the Silver training requirements.
Silver Circle Pathways
As you learned in the ExceleRate Orientation, there are two pathways to attaining a Silver Circle of Quality:
- The Accreditation Path - This path allows the program to use accreditation to show evidence for many of the ExceleRate Illinois standards. Please review the crosswalk summary for details of each individual Accreditation process.
- The Assessment Path - This path requires working with a CCR&R Quality or Infant Toddler Specialist to complete a self-assessment using approved assessment tool(s) for every classroom, as well as an overall program self-assessment using the Program Administration Scale (PAS). On-site classroom and program assessment, as well as verification of other ExceleRate Standards, will occur by a state-approved assessor.
It is important to use the pdf Getting Ready for the Silver Circle of Quality Checklist (435 KB) as you work towards the Silver requirements.
What does Assessment Look Like?
A state-approved assessor will conduct assessments using ITERS-R, ECERS-3, and SACERS-U in 1/3 of classrooms for each environment rating scale (ie. age group). For 1-3 classrooms in an age group, one classroom is randomly selected. For 4-6 classrooms in an age group, two classrooms are randomly selected. For 7-9 classrooms in an age group, three classrooms are randomly selected. (Personal Care Routines and Parent and Staff subscales for the Environment Rating Scale (ERS) will not be scored in the ExceleRate assessment process).
For licensed child care centers that have child care classrooms with Preschool for All or Head Start services provided within them (collaboration classrooms), these classrooms will be included in the random selection of classrooms for assessment.
For licensed child care centers that have Preschool for All or Head Start stand-alone classrooms (Preschool for All or Head Start services only, for the full day), these classrooms will not be included in the random selection of classrooms.
*Head Start/Preschool For All stand-alone classrooms should reach out to their funding entity for any training &/or technical assistance needed. CCR&R Specialists do not provide technical assistance here as these classrooms are not included in the random selection of classrooms and are monitored by either ISBE or Head Start.
A state approved assessor will also verify three PAS subscales (using the PAS - 2nd edition) as chosen by the program on the application (Child Assessment, Family Partnerships, and Staff Qualifications cannot be chosen for verification as they are covered in other ExceleRate standards). In addition, the assessor will be verifying any additional documentation as noted on the Standards Overview Chart and the Getting Ready for Silver checklist. The program should have an organized Program Portfolio, by Standard, inclusive of all PAS documentation and documentation to verify other Silver Standards.
Please note: PAS assessment at Silver is for quality improvement purposes only.
The pdf Preparing for On-Site Assessment FAQ (467 KB) answers many questions regarding assessments. It is important for the administrator and teachers to review this document so that everyone knows what to expect during assessment.
Applying for a Silver Circle of Quality
Silver Circle of Quality Application
A program can apply for the Silver Circle of Quality when the training and initial requirements of Standards have been met and the program feels they are ready for their on-site verification visit (if applying via the Assessment Path). Working in coordination with a CCR&R Quality or Infant Toddler Specialist prior to application/renewal at Silver is required. Please reach out to your local CCR&R for assistance. If applying through the Accreditation Path, they should be able to use the applicable Accreditation crosswalk and apply by submitting the documentation required on the 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
Once your application has been received and initial documentation/requirements have been reviewed by INCCRRA, an on-site assessment by a state-approved assessor will be scheduled if required.
Once assessment is complete (if applicable), detailed ExceleRate reports are generated and sent to the program within 6-8 weeks of assessment, along with an ExceleRate eligibility letter. If Silver was not attained due to not meeting assessment scores an appeal process is available.
ExceleRate Eligibility at Silver
Programs are awarded the Silver Circle of Quality for a period of 3 years.
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.
- Current accreditation certificate if applicable
- Signed Consultation Agreement with a CCR&R specialist working on self-assessment and CQIP development
- 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
- Submission of a Continuous Quality Improvement Plan (CQIP) on Standards 1A, 1C, 3A (at a minimum). Progress must be shown each year
- Additional items as needed