Applications & Frameworks

Our Mission

BrightStars helps families in Rhode Island access quality child care, early learning, and school-age programs. We help child care providers learn about best practices in early learning and apply them to the care children receive. We recognize program quality and give parents information to make choices about their children’s care and education. We support programs to develop and meet quality improvement goals.

Application Materials

Family Child Care Providers

Family child care providers must complete an application to participate in BrightStars. BrightStars is a five-level Tiered Quality Rating and Improvement System, with each level corresponding to a star rating. Providers should indicate their desired star rating on the application; this can be determined by reviewing the BrightStars Family Child Care Quality Framework; support is also available to determine your star rating by contacting BrightStars staff. BrightStars will review each application and will work with providers to help them achieve their desired star rating. Providers should also review our Information and Policies for Family Child Care to learn more about the application and rating process.

Application Materials

Child Care Centers and Preschools

Child care centers must complete an application to participate in BrightStars. BrightStars is a five-level Tiered Quality Rating and Improvement System, with each level corresponding to a star rating. Programs should indicate their desired star rating on the application; this can be determined by reviewing BrightStars’ BrightStars Child Care Center and Preschool Quality Framework; support is also available to determine your star rating by contacting BrightStars staff. BrightStars will review each application and will work with child care programs to help them achieve their desired star rating. Programs should also review our Information and Policies for Child Care Centers and Preschools to learn more about the application and rating process.

Please Note: For application support, please contact your BrightStars Navigator or email info@riaeyc.org

Application Materials

Public Schools

All Public Schools with a Preschool/PreK classroom must complete an application to participate in BrightStars. BrightStars is a five-level Tiered Quality Rating and Improvement System, with each level corresponding to a star rating. Programs should indicate their desired star rating on the application; this can be determined by reviewing BrightStars’ BrightStars Public School Quality Framework; support is also available to determine your star rating by contacting BrightStars staff. BrightStars will review each application and will work with district leadership to help them achieve their desired star rating. Programs should also review our Information and Policies to learn more about the application and rating process.
Please Note: For application support, please contact your BrightStars Navigator or email info@riaeyc.org

Application Materials

School-Age Programs

School-age (K-5) programs must complete an application to participate in BrightStars. Programs should indicate their desired star rating on the application; this can be determined by reviewing the BrightStars School-Age Child Care (K-5) Quality Framework; support is also available to determine your star rating by contacting BrightStars staff. BrightStars will review each application and will work with child care programs to help them achieve their desired star rating. Programs should also review our Information and Policies for School-Age Programs to learn more about the application and rating process.