the Quality team

Providing high quality early childhood experiences for young children is an important and difficult job.
CCR&R's team of Quality Specialists support your program in pursuing quality efforts that will help you maintain and enhance your high-quality program.

At no cost to the program, the Specialists assist and support licensed centers and homes with enhancing the quality of their environment to promote the optimal development and learning of the children.

​ Services are tailored to meet your program's specific needs and goals.
Programs who have achieved identified quality benchmarks may be eligible to earn recognition and potential additional funding by participating in ExceleRate Illinois! 

Who's on the Quality Team? 
The CCR&R Quality Specialists offer support, training, consultation and resources to assist providers in understanding recognition and quality improvement, as well as participating in ExceleRate Illinois – the state's voluntary quality rating and improvement system.  
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Some of the topics they work with include
  • Assistance in understanding and using assessment tools, including the Early Childhood Environmental Scale (ECERS-3), Program Administration Scales (PAS) and Business Administration Scale (BAS)
  • Assisting providers in developing and implementing Quality Improvement Plans (CQIPS)
  • Providing information on preparing for an Environmental Rating Scale Assessment
  • Guiding providers through the application process 
  • Information and resources on best practices in early care and education,
  • General  training and technical assistance 
  • Information and linkages to community resources and agencies​

quick links

Centers and Licensed Homes
Child Care Assistance Program
Referrals to your Program
ExceleRate Illinois
Grants and Funding
Resources

MEET the QUALITY team

Nina Wargel
Quality Specialist
Colleen McLaughlin
Infant Toddler Specialist