The Silver Circle of Quality recognizes the completion of a rigorous self-assessment and implementation of a 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 must 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 applications and yearly thereafter).
These standards and evidence requirements are detailed on the pdf Excelerate FCC Overview Chart (709 KB) ( pdf Spanish (711 KB) ).
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.
Silver Circle Pathways
As you learned in the ExceleRate Orientation, there are two pathways to attaining a Silver Circle of Quality:
- The Accreditation Path - If you choose this path, you can use your accreditation status to show evidence for many ExceleRate Illinois standards. Please review the pdf NAFCC crosswalk summary (364 KB) for details and the additional requirements for alignment with ExceleRate Illinois.
- The Assessment Path - If you choose the assessment path, the provider conducts self-assessment using the Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale-Revised (FCCERS-R), as well as an overall program self-assessment using the Business Administration Scale 2nd edition (BAS). The provider must be working with a CCR&R Specialist on FCCERS-R and BAS self-assessment as well as Continuous Quality Improvement Plan (CQIP) development. Download and print the pdf Getting Ready for the Silver Circle of Quality (416 KB) (available in pdf Spanish (423 KB) ) document to begin.
What does Assessment Look Like?
In order for FCCERS assessment to occur, at least 3 children must be present for a minimum of three consecutive hours. At least 2 of the children cannot be the provider's own.
A state-approved assessor will arrive at the start time agreed on with the provider to conduct the Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale-Revised (FCCERS-R) assessment. (Note: Personal Care Routines will not be scored in the ExceleRate assessment process).
A state-approved assessor will also verify Business Administration Scales (BAS) items (using the BAS - 2nd edition) of Fiscal Management, Record Keeping, and 2 provider-selected items as chosen by the program at application.
The assessor will also be verifying any additional documentation as noted on the Standards Overview Chart and the Getting Ready for Silver checklist. The provider should have an organized Program Portfolio, by Standard, inclusive of all BAS documentation and documentation to verify other Silver Standards.
Please note: BAS 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 Family Child Care Provider to review this document so that everyone knows what to expect during assessment.
Applying for a Silver Circle of Quality
Licensed Family Child Care Group Home 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 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 pdf Gateways Credentials (466 KB) .
Gateways Credentials (i.e. ECE Credential Levels 3-5, Infant Toddler Credential Levels 3-5, Illinois Director Credential Levels I-III, and the Family Child Care Credential levels 4-5) 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
Gateways Family Child Care Credential level 3 meets the following ExceleRate Illinois training requirements (across all circles of quality):
- Finding a Curriculum that Works for You
Once your ExceleRate 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 the 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 Family Child Care Provider & 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