I get asked all the time what are the most salient generic key indicators from all the various sectors of the early care and education system, such as regulatory compliance/licensing, professional development and quality rating improvement systems (QRIS).  I have mentioned in this blog over the years that I have maintained a national data base for an Early Childhood Program Quality Improvement and Indicator Model (ECPQI2M) for the past 40 years which has data from these major systems.   In these systems I have generated key indicators over the decades to look at trends and what were the most important standards that statistically predicted quality and child outcomes.  In the past, these key indicators have focused more on regulatory compliance/licensing and have appeared in ACF and ASPE publications.  More recently, I have been able to apply the same key indicator methodology to professional development and QRIS system.  So here is the list of the seven generic key indicators from these various systems in addition to regulatory compliance/licensing that we should focus on:

1. All children are properly immunized (licensing)
2. Teachers & Director have ECE degrees (licensing)
3. Competent supervision at all times (licensing)
4. Families are fully engaged (QRIS)
5. Coaching occurs (professional development)
6. Teacher’s guide children’s behavior (QRIS and Environmental Rating Scales)
7. Teacher’s respond to children’s communication (QRIS and Environmental Rating Scales)