Licensed center based programs and licensed homes must be observed by an independent evaluator to be eligible for the Quality Counts QRS. Some programs are observed and evaluated through a national accreditation process. Some are observed by Illinois QRS assessors who use the following tools to evaluate and score the child care setting:

Family Child Care Homes:

• Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale (FCCERS)
• Business Administration Scale (BAS)

Center Based Programs:

• Infant Toddler Environment Rating Scale (ITERS-R)
• Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS-R)
• School Age Environment Rating Scale (SACERS)
• Program Administration Scale (PAS)

The attached data charts show the average Environment Rating Scale (ERS) sub-scale scores for licensed programs participating in QRS (updated February 2013).

Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale (FCCERS)

Infant Toddler Environment Rating Scale (ITERS-R)

Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS-R)

School Age Environment Rating Scale (SACERS)

Participation in the Quality Counts QRS is voluntary. As of May 31, 2013, there are 1,337 providers approved for QRS. Click here to see the breakdown of providers approved for QRS.