Individual Coaching. 4C for Children early childhood coaches will come alongside you to assess quality and develop an action plan to help programs achieve a Step Up To Quality rating.- One-Star Virtual Work Sessions. Due to recent changes made by ODJFS, we are currently not offering SUTQ Work Sessions. We are working to make changes in these sessions to reflect the changes and new ODJFS requirements and will offer new sessions soon.
- Online Step Up To Quality Tools. Due to recent changes made by ODJFS, our online SUTQ tools need to be updated to reflect the changes and new requirements. Working were on the updates and will relaunch the tools in the near future. Stay tuned!
Contact Us
In Southwest Ohio:
- Family Child Care Providers and Child Care Centers contact Leslie Johnson, 513-758-1487
In Miami Valley:
- Family Child Care Providers and Child Care Centers contact Ashley Chiles, 937-723-2718
Step Up To Quality FAQ
Is a SUTQ Rating Required?
Yes. The state of Ohio has mandated that all child care providers—both centers and family child care providers—must be Step Up To Quality rated in order to serve children who receive child care subsidy. But getting rated is easier than you might think when you tap into the 4C training and coaching opportunities available to individual providers and networks of providers.
What’s the benefit to getting rated?
- Reimbursement rate increase. The amount of money you receive for each child in your program increases with each star your program earns. Use the SUTQ calculator to see the increased reimbursement you receive for providing quality early care and education.
- Lower staff turnover. Staff members in SUTQ rated programs are proud of their work and accomplishments. They have knowledge about child development and improve their teaching practices as they learn more. Turnover slows as SUTQ resources such as a formal wage structure and staff supports increase staff stability.
- Increased enrollment. Parents are choosing quality settings for their children and will be intentional in choosing SUTQ-rated programs in the future. Your SUTQ star rating is a sign of your commitment to provide quality child care.
- Help kids succeed. Children in SUTQ star rated programs score higher on Kindergarten Readiness Assessments. When children are ready for kindergarten, they read better in third grade and are more likely to graduate from high school. Children who are successful in school grow to be successful in life.
- It’s required. Starting Oct. 1, 2020, you must be SUTQ rated to provide care for children who receive publicly funded child care. If you care for children using the Swipe card or the TAPS system, don’t wait to get your first star.