About 'STARS for KIDS NOW': Kentucky's Quality-Rating System STARS for KIDS NOW is Kentucky's voluntary, four-star quality-rating system for licensed Type I and Type II child care centers and certified family child care homes. It has been available to providers since 2000. The system uses a scale of 1 through 4 STARS to identify levels of quality. All STAR levels surpass the minimum licensing requirements that all programs must meet. Download the 'About Stars' brochure What Families Should Know STARS for KIDS NOW provides parents with a tool to help identify levels of quality when seeking a child care setting outside of their home. Family child care homes and child care centers participating in STARS for KIDS NOW demonstrate a commitment toward providing quality care and education. Parents can use the rating system to gain an understanding of the factors that contribute to quality care and education, and they can then choose a child care setting that best matches their family's needs. Watch an interview with Sallie Westheimer, 4C executive director, in which she explains how families can use this tool to find quality. What does the system measure? Programs are assessed in the following areas: staff/child ratios, group size, curriculum, parent involvement, training/education of staff, regulatory compliance and personnel practices. What is a STAR? The STARS program rates both child care centers and family child care homes on a scale of 1 to 4 STARS. Here is what each STAR level determines: One STAR programs show commitment to quality by becoming rated. These programs have exceeded the standards for licensing and certification. Two STAR programs have met the requirements for a one STAR rating plus demonstrate additional early childhood training, a family involvement activity and a qualifying score from an outside observer. Three STAR programs have met the requirements for a two STAR rating plus increased educational and early childhood training for all those working with children, increased family involvement activities and higher scores on observations of the child care environment. Four STAR programs have met the requirements for a three STAR rating plus have become nationally accredited. Education, training and observation scores also exceed the three STAR requirements. STARS for KIDS NOW is a program of the Office of Early Childhood, Kentucky Department of Education. For more information, contact their office at 502-564-7056 or Kentucky's STARS Web page, or contact 4C Northern Kentucky at 859-781-3511. View 4C's list of star-rated programs in Northern Kentucky. For the brochure: Northern Kentucky Kindergarten Readiness Please note: Parents are fully responsible for making the right choice in child care. 4C cannot guarantee any child care provider or child care setting. For questions or concerns, please contact us at the 4C office nearest you.