Quality Counts

At a glance

Between 2022-2023, our investments in Quality Counts supported:

8,135 children served at enrolled sites

1,113 professional development stipends for providers

83 professional development opportunities

$2.1M in financial incentives disbursed

A statewide effort to strengthen the early learning and care system

Quality Counts is an initiative that helps early care and education professionals improve their programs to better support the children and families they serve.

90% of brain development happens in the first five years of a child’s life—making these years critical for the future success of our children and our society. That’s why we’re dedicated to working with early care and education professionals who are committed to quality and best practices. Quality care during these years creates a safe, nurturing environment for children to develop physically, socially, emotionally, and intellectually.

What does quality early care and education look like?

While quality metrics are tied to the classroom, at First 5 we’re guided by our “whole child, whole family, whole community” approach. We recognize that conditions beyond the classroom have significant impact on a child’s positive development. We’re focused on:

Low teacher-to-child ratios and small group sizes
Age-appropriate learning activities
Safe, engaging learning environments
Activities that support physical, social, and emotional growth
Qualified staff with access to professional development opportunities

Benefits of participating in Quality Counts

Through Quality Counts, First 5 Alameda County provides:

Integrated quality rating
Funding opportunities and technical assistance
Professional development, training and coaching

Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible for Quality Counts?

All licensed and publicly funded, license-exempt early care and education sites are eligible to participate in Quality Counts. This includes California Department of Education Contractors (CSPP and CCTR), Early Head Start and Head Start, Licensed Family Child Care Providers and Private Centers, and Legally License-Exempt Public Child Care Centers.

Is there priority eligibility for underserved neighborhoods that enroll?

Yes, priority is given to early care and education providers who serve children from low-income families, infants and toddlers, children with special needs, and children who are English Language Learners

Do I qualify for the professional development stipends?

Participants who wish to receive the Quality Counts Professional Development Stipend and/or Workforce Pathways Project Higher Ed Stipend must register and submit their applications through the California Early Care and Education (CA ECE) Workforce Registry. The Registry website, resources, and technical assistance support are available in English, Spanish, and Chinese.

What is the CA ECE Workforce Registry?

The California Early Care and Education (CA ECE) Workforce Registry is a statewide website that maintains demographic and verified educational information for members of the early care and education workforce. This data system keeps track of your employment history, degrees, professional development hours, child development permits, credentials, and accomplishments.

How do I register for the CA ECE Workforce Registry?

Click here to read the instructions for creating a user account. You can also watch the tutorial videos, which are available in English, Spanish, and Chinese.

How is the Quality Counts initiative funded?

Quality Counts is funded by a collaboration between First 5 California (F5CA), the California Department of Education (CDE), and the California Department of Social Services (CDSS).