A Quality Recognition and Improvement System (QRIS) is a systemic approach to assess, improve, and communicate the level of quality in early and school-age care and education programs. In collaboration with the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, UNH instructional coaches are working to support NH's Quality Improvement Recognition System, known as Granite Steps for Quality (GSQ).
The State of New Hampshire has a new voluntary quality recognition system for licensed child care providers, known as Granite Steps for Quality (GSQ).
- GSQ focuses on improving the overall quality of Early Care and Education and Out-of-School Time (OST) programs in the state.
- Programs participating in GSQ will promote a culture of continuous quality improvement thereby improving outcomes for children and families to thrive and succeed in school and beyond.
- The four GSQ Quality Steps are defined by criteria specific to program type based on two standards: (1) Staff Qualifications and (2) Learning Environments.
- GSQ encourages programs to meet quality standards by offering coaching, technical assistance, and online training along with generous financial incentives including programs serving children in The Child Care Scholarship Program.
- The UNH Early Learning Coaching Team is supporting New Hampshire's GSQ by providing practice-based coaching to early childhood educators/staff within participating programs.
- Through The New Hampshire Connections Information System, families seeking high-quality care (including center-based, home-based, Head Start, NAEYC Accredited, and OST programs) can search for programs that proudly display their Quality Step and Endorsements on their program profile.
New Hampshire Connections is the state's most trusted Consumer Education Website for child care, early learning & afterschool resources & referrals for families, providers, and communities. Visit NH Connections to learn more about NH's Granite Steps for Quality.
Granite Steps for Quality Guide
A detailed guide to understanding and navigating NH GSQ; created by the NH DHHS Division of Economic Housing Stability, Bureau of Child Development, and Head Start Collaboration.
New Hampshire Coaching Development & Recognition Model
This report (2020), supported by New Hampshire's Preschool Development Grant (PDG), investigated diverse early childhood coaching systems. Findings offered specific recommendations, which guided the development of New Hampshire's QRIS system and coach competencies, to promote ongoing programmatic and practitioner improvement.
