STARS CQI Application

Welcome to the STARS Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Application via Jotform. This application is appropriate for applying to STARS for the first time or to maintain or increase your program’s STARS level. Please read the following before completing this application and make sure that you have:

all the required evidence documents completed and ready to attach.
certification documents from NAEYC, Head Start and NAFCC, if applicable.
answers to your questions about filling out the application.
your program's CQI Plan.
copies of your STARS CQI Plan and documents for your records. Once submitted, STARS may not be able to retrieve and return documents.

STARS Application Process

Your STARS CQI Application must include:

a CQI Plan that meets your desired STARS level standards
evidence that your program meets your desired STARS level standards. IMPORTANT: If your program is applying for the first time since the STARS revision launched on July 1, 2023, you must provide evidence for all STARS levels UP TO and including your desired level. In other words, if your program is applying to maintain its STARS Level 4 status, you must provide evidence for levels 2-4 in your initial application to the new STARS model. Once your program has been awarded a STARS level certificate in the revised model, only evidence to support new CQI progress will then be required. The following document types ( up to 25 MB) may be used: pdf, doc, docx, xls, xlsx, csv, txt, rtf, html, zip, mp3, wma, mpg, flv, avi, jpg, jpeg, png, gif.

Please consult the STARS Guidance Manual and review the STARS Level Standards and Evidence chart before preparing your STARS Application. You may use this template for your STARS CQI Plan. You may use this checklist to make sure you have the necessary documentation for your STARS CQI Plan.

When you submit your application:

The STARS Team notifies you via email that it has received your portfolio.
The STARS Team reviews your portfolio in the order it is received and within 2 weeks of receipt date and will email the results of that review.

Technical Questions and Support

For questions, please contact the CDD STARS Team at STARS@vermont.gov or 800-649-2642, option 8.

Licensee Organization Name:*

Enter the name of the organization or person as listed in BFIS if different from the program name.

Application Date:*

MonthDayYear

Program Type*

Registered Family Child Care ProgramLicensed Early Childhood Program (Center Based or Licensed Home)Public School Operated Pre-KAfterschool Licensed ProgramNAEYC Accredited or Head Start Program

Please submit your program's current NAEYC certificate or Head Start Monitoring Review Report for verification. Programs that are NAEYC accredited or are Head Start programs for which Head Start is the administrator and licensee are automatically eligible for STARS Level 5.

Is your program NAFCC accredited?*

YesNo

Please upload your NAFCC certificate for verification. NAFCC accredited programs automatically meet the standards for Family and Youth Engagement at STARS Level 2; and Adult-Child Interactions and Responsive Practice at STARS Level 3.

Is your program a Head Start or Early Head Start partner program?*

YesNo

Please upload your Head Start or Early Head Start partner certificate for verification. Head Start and Early Head Start partner programs automatically meet the standards for Adult-Child Interactions at STARS Levels 4 and 5.

Is your program an Early MTSS implementation site? Early MTSS programs automatically meet the standards for Adult-Child Interactions and Responsive Practice at STARS Levels 5.

YesNo

Please upload your Early MTSS certificate for verification. Early MTSS programs automatically meet the standards for Adult-Child Interactions and Responsive Practice at STARS Levels 5.

For how long has your program been an Early MTSS implementation site?

Less than one yearMore than one year

Please provide the total number of enrolled children at time of application:*

CDD License Number:*

Phone Number*

Please enter a valid phone number.

Email (for STARS correspondence)*

example@example.com

Program Mailing Address*

Street Address or PO Box

Street Address Line 2

CityCounty

Postal / Zip Code

Staff person responsible for program CQI Plan and STARS Application*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

Name of staff person

Total Number of Classrooms

STARS Level your program is applying for:

Did you work with a SPARQS Quality Support Specialist (QSS) or Vermont Afterschool coach to complete your STARS application?*

YesNo

If yes, please enter the name of your QSS or VT Afterschool coach:

STARS CQI Application

Program Information

STARS Level 2 CQI Application and Document Upload

STARS Level 3 CQI Application and Document Upload

STARS Level 4 CQI Application and Document Upload

STARS Level 5 CQI Application and Document Upload

STARS Level Requested

Affirmation

Application Review