Granite Steps for Quality Advisory Committee
Background
In March 2022, NH began accepting applications for New Hampshire’s revised Quality Recognition and Improvement System (QRIS), Granite Steps for Quality (GSQ). GSQ is the culmination of over ten years of task force meetings and collaborations between the child care and Head Start community, public and private entities, and the Bureau of Child Development and Head Start Collaboration. The purpose of this new system was to replace the previous two-tiered QRIS, Licensed Plus and NAEYC Accreditation, with an updated, more robust set of criteria for Early Childhood and Out-of-School Time (OST) programs to engage in beyond required Child Care Licensing health and safety standards. The purpose was also to share information regarding quality programming with New Hampshire families to inform their care selection process.
GSQ Advisory Committee Vision
The GSQ Advisory Committee serves to maintain and support the overall mission and guiding principles of NH’s QRIS. Our role is to review our process to be sure it is supporting programs to meet our defined standards and outcomes, as well as to unify and clarify the message of quality programming for all audiences (families, providers, policy makers, general public, etc.)
Committee’s Purpose is to:
- Provide the opportunity for transparent, shared bi-directional communication between the Bureau of Child Development and Head Start Collaboration, the Committee, and statewide partners so that all have the information they need to make decisions to help further develop and shape the system.
- Provide guidance and input on direction of the implementation of GSQ.
- Identify what data need to be collected. Share, review, analyze, and use data in order to apply changes as needed.
GSQ Advisory Committee Meetings
Meetings are held virtually and conducted once monthly throughout the evaluation process, and quarterly thereafter. Bi-annual, in-person meetings and ad hoc meetings scheduled as necessary. Business procedures and decisions may be conducted via e-mail. Agendas are tailored to reflect the interest and requirements of members regarding GSQ and support the objectives named herein.
GSQ Advisory Committee Charter, click HERE
Contact Information
Andrea Foster