YoungStar is built on the foundation of child care regulation. In order to earn a 2 Star rating or higher, a program must be in regulatory compliance. Programs that participate in YoungStar and are in regulatory compliance meet the requirements to earn a 2 Star rating. To earn a 3 to 5 Star rating, programs must demonstrate quality practices beyond what is required for regulation. Programs that have had their licenses or certifications revoked, denied, or suspended are rated 1 Star and families cannot receive Wisconsin Shares authorizations to attend the program.
All providers that participate in YoungStar and are in regulatory compliance MUST complete a rating process once every other year. Providers who are in regulatory compliance are able to select the type of rating process they wish to complete on their YoungStar Contract or YoungStar Renewal Contract. Providers can choose to be rated:
If you need additional resources regarding the Environmental Rating Scale (ERS) please visit this support page.
When you choose to receive an onsite rating (required to earn a 3, 4, or 5 Star rating, but could result in a 2 Star rating), your Coach will use the YoungStar Evaluation Criteria to assess your program. Programs that are eligible to earn a 3, 4, or 5 Star rating will also be given the opportunity to be observed using the appropriate Environment Rating Scale(s) (ERS). Programs wishing to achieve a 4 or 5 Star rating must complete one or more ERS observations.
YoungStar recognizes that family child care programs look different than group child care programs and both look different than school-age care programs. Therefore, each provider type has its own version of the YoungStar Evaluation Criteria.
The YoungStar Evaluation Criteria is broken up into four key areas and increases the requirements in each area as you move up the star levels. These four key areas, or elements, are: Lead Staff Education, Learning Environment and Curriculum, Business and Professional Practices, and Health and Well-Being. Select the appropriate version of the YoungStar Evaluation Criteria below, based on your program type and language preference, to prepare for an onsite rating and to learn more about high-quality early education practices:
To view the document that your Coach will be using to complete their rating, select the appropriate version of the Rating Verification Document below, based on your program type and language preference:
For more information on the YoungStar Evaluation Criteria, including YoungStar Rating Details (which include the research and rationale behind every indicator), YoungStar Block Rating diagrams (to see a condensed version of all indicators required at each level), and updates on any YoungStar Evaluation Criteria revision processes, visit DCF's website.
Note: YoungStar developed- and periodically revises- the YoungStar Evaluation Criteria which is foundationally based on research related to child development and improved child outcomes. Over the years, it has also been refined to incorporate feedback from stakeholders like providers, families, coaches, and other ECE and school-age care associations.
Programs that already offer Head Start and/or Early Head Start programming that is accepted as equivalent to a YoungStar rating can request an automated rating of 5 Star based on this programming. A copy of the Policy on Head Start Participation in YoungStar and the requirements that need to be met to be considered equivalent to a YoungStar 5 Star rating can be found here.
ProgramsPrograms that are already accredited by one of the agencies that is accepted as equivalent to a YoungStar rating can request an automated rating of 4 or 5 Star based on the accrediting body and the program's educational qualifications (as applicable). A copy of the YoungStar accreditation policy and a list of accrediting agencies that are accepted as equivalent to a YoungStar rating can be found here.
Programs that select this option must send proof of the accreditation, and any accreditation renewals, to the Department of Children and Families on a timely basis to ensure that the YoungStar rating is correct. Proof of accreditation can be faxed to 608-422-7156 or emailed to youngstar@wisconsin.gov.
Programs that participate in YoungStar and are in regulatory compliance meet all the requirements to earn a 2 Star rating. Choosing to complete an automated 2 Star rating process allows a program to participate in YoungStar without being assessed on the YoungStar Evaluation Criteria. Programs that select this option CANNOT earn a rating higher than a 2 Star rating.
