Quality Support

The Early Learning Coalition (ELC) of the Big Bend Region supports the quality improvement of all School Readiness providers through a variety of quality initiatives. The Quality Improvement System (QIS), allows providers to choose between basic and premium quality services at the time that the annual Provider Network Agreement is signed.

Premium Services

The Premium QIS track allows providers enhanced Technical Assistance and Resource Room services as well as provider-specific professional development opportunities. Providers purchasing monthly Co-Op bags who have selected Premium QIS services will have additional Co-Op materials including the option of obtaining in-service hours through the ELC Distance Education program. Premium providers will receive an Environmental Rating Assessment (ERS) and School Readiness monitoring prior to their annual monitoring. After completion of the ERS, a Quality Support Specialist will create a program improvement plan tailored specifically to a providers needs. This pre-assessment process allows Premium providers to improve their program prior to the annual School Readiness monitoring which may have a positive impact on their published quality rating.

Basic Services

The Basic QIS track allows providers access to online training opportunities, ELC Career Advisory Services, basic technical assistance, and provides limited access to the materials in the ELC’s Resource Room. If a provider on the Basic QIS track has signed up to participate in the monthly ELC Co-Op, the provider will receive the basic version of the Co-Op bag. Providers on the Basic track will receive one annual School Readiness monitoring visit which will be used to determine the providers published quality rating.

Co-Op Kits

The ELC provides an optional Co-Op program which allows the ELC to purchase and distribute early learning kits with program enrichment activities to providers on a monthly basis. The fee for co-op kits is $10.00 per bag, and providers may choose to receive more than one bag each month. Each kit has the materials necessary for one classroom. Co-Op fees are deducted from the monthly provider payment and kits are available for pick up at the monthly Market Days event. Providers must complete the Early Learning Coalition Provider Co-Op Agreement and indicate whether they would like to participate in the Co-Op program at the time that the annual Provider Network Agreement is signed.