Early Childhood Education

One of the best ways to ensure that children succeed in school is to provide all children with access to high-quality programs for early learning.

To meet this goal, we work with public and nonpublic schools, community-based organizations, and home-based child-care providers to continuously improve the quality of early-learning programs and to expand opportunities for early learning across our state.

The early childhood work in the Office of Instruction, Assessment, and Curriculum supports four primary goals:

1. Increasing access to high-quality early childhood education programs for all children
2. Supporting the professional development of early childhood professionals
3. Providing information to families about supporting their child's learning
4. Ensuring that children with developmental delays or disabilities are identified and have access to specialized services and supports

BrightStars and Public Preschools

By June 30, 2025, all RIDE-approved public schools serving children between the ages of 3 and 5 will be required to apply to BrightStars. BrightStars is Rhode Island's Tiered Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) for Early Care, Education, and School-age Programs. Through BrightStars, RIAEYC is creating a sustainable infrastructure of diverse, high quality early care, education, and school-age programs using research-based practices that promote positive outcomes for children and families. A BrightStars rating is an objective tool to support program quality improvement.

Next Steps:

• The BrightStars Framework for Public Schools and Application for Participation can be found at https://brightstars.org/applications/
• An informational webinar will be recorded and posted by Friday, November 15 at https://brightstars.org/applications/
• Informational sessions (in-person):
  • January 15, 2025, 3:30-4:30pm
  • March 12, 2025, 3:30-4:30pm  
• Application Support Sessions (virtual drop-in on Zoom): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81570782987?pwd=Xas2D3Rnx0nGxEAZRYhgJMZo4RofYx.1
  • November 20, 2pm-4pm 
  • December 11, 2pm-4pm 
  • Additional sessions will be posted on the BrightStars website.
• Support and Technical Assistance is available through BrightStars and The Center for Early Learning Professionals (https://center-elp.org/)
• LearnERS opportunities will continue to be available for the 2025-26 school year; LearnERS application will be available in August 2025 on the BrightStars website.

Have more questions?

BrightStars employs dedicated support staff, or BrightStars Navigators, to support schools in Continuous Quality Improvement efforts.  Email info@riaeyc.org to connect with your BrightStars Navigator.

Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of these schools that achieved 5 stars in BrightStars!