Grow NJ Kids

Grow NJ Kids is New Jersey’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). A QRIS is a system that states throughout the country have utilized to enhance and strengthen early learning and child care programs. Through Grow NJ Kids, many child care programs, including district funded preschool programs, Head Start and Early Head Start programs will be voluntarily evaluated. Currently Grow NJ Kids is being test piloted in three counties and one city in New Jersey. Upon evaluation these programs, valuable information about high quality early care and education will be clearly communicated to families, communities and the public.

How do families benefit from a QRIS, such as Grow NJ Kids?

• Families can easily access information on high quality early childhood programs
• Grow NJ Kids provides a common framework for early care professionals, families and community stakeholders to understand and discuss quality care and education
• Families are provided with more high quality child care options
• Children benefit from high quality early learning environments that will directly impact their school readiness skills for their entry to kindergarten