The Bronze Circle of Quality in ExceleRate Illinois recognizes qualifications and professional development, with the completion of a robust series of trainings for Family Child Care Providers and Assistants.
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 Family Child Care Provider Start?
The provider should complete the ExceleRate Illinois Orientation for licensed family child care providers to learn the details of participation in ExceleRate. From there, decide which Circle of Quality your program would like to work towards. A CCR&R Quality or Infant Toddler Specialist at your local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) can help by explaining ExceleRate as well as help you make program improvements to enhance the quality of care you provide to benefit children.
The Bronze Circle of Quality is focused on training completion across the ExceleRate Standands. The Bronze Circle of Quality requirements are detailed in the pdf Excelerate FCC Overview Chart (709 KB) ( pdf Spanish (711 KB) ). Please use the pdf Required Training Grid (479 KB) ( pdf Spanish (488 KB) ) to review what trainings are required at each Circle of Quality.
Applying for a Bronze Circle of Quality
A program can apply for the Bronze Circle of Quality when the training requirements have been completed.
Licensed Family Child Care Group Home Application
ExceleRate Eligibility at Bronze
Programs can hold a Bronze Circle of Quality for three, 3- year periods. During that time, your program will need to complete an annual report every 12 months updating program information. 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.