Childcare centers say Tennessee’s system of monitoring quality isn’t as effective as it could be, according to a new report published by the state Comptroller’s Office today.
The ‘Star-Quality Program’ rewards those centers who meet criteria above and beyond what’s required for licensing. The comptroller’s report was conducted by analyzing surveys given out to childcare centers.
Researcher Russell Moore says many respondents complained about other operators, accusing them of altering behaviors on the day they were evaluated to achieve a better rating. Moore says the Department of Human Services is working to correct that problem.
“There are two different staff within DHS that monitor childcare providers. There’s licensure staff and assessment staff. And our report suggests that DHS continue sending them out to conduct joint visitations because licensing staff are in providers’ agencies much more than assessors. Assessors are there one day out of the year.”
Other recommendations include raising the reimbursement rates to improve access for low-income families, and to study whether parents find the star-rating system helpful. The ‘Star-Quality Program’ resulted from legislation passed in 2000, after several incidents in Memphis where children died after being left in overheated vehicles.
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