Bright & Early ND Overview

Building Quality is a new initiative of Bright & Early ND and is designed for programs that are ready to learn, grow, and make meaningful change. Whether you want to enrich your learning environment, explore curriculum options, strengthen your assessment practices, or build stronger relationships with children and families, this initiative helps you focus on what matters most to your program.

Over the course of 6 months, you'll work one-on-one with a coach to set goals, try new strategies, and find what works best for your program and the children you serve.

Ready to build your program's quality? Log in to the ND Early Childhood Hub to apply or visit the Bright & Early ND Resources page to learn more.

Demonstrating Quality is designed for programs ready to show how their practices align with the Bright & Early ND Quality Standards. By submitting evidence for review, you'll receive detailed feedback and an official Bright & Early ND Step 2, 3, or 4 Quality Rating.

Over the course of 3 months, you'll work one-on-one with a coach to gather and submit evidence for your Quality Rating review.

Ready to showcase your program's quality? Log in to the ND Early Childhood Hub to apply or visit the Bright & Early ND Resources page to learn more.

Maintaining Quality is designed for programs that have achieved a Bright & Early ND Step 2, 3, or 4 Quality Rating and want to sustain and build on their success. You'll check in regularly with a coach to reflect on your practices, review progress, and create a plan for ongoing improvement.

There's no need to apply, eligible programs are automatically enrolled in Maintaining Quality.

Programs that are preparing to demonstrate how their practices align to the Bright & Early ND Quality Standards will be required to complete a program observation. Each observation includes an on-site visit from a trained and reliable observer, a detailed summary report, and guidance on how to incorporate this feedback into your program's Quality Improvement Plan (QIP).

Ready to schedule your observation? Log in to the ND Early Childhood Hub to apply or visit the Bright & Early ND Resources page to learn more.

As you move through your initiative, you'll receive valuable feedback that helps you recognize successes, strengthen your practices, and identify opportunities for continued growth. Feedback may come from your coach, a program observation, or the Quality Rating review process.

Every milestone is an opportunity to build on your success. Whether you've completed Building Quality, earned or maintained a Bright & Early ND Quality Rating, or used observation results to strengthen your program, Bright & Early ND is here to support your next steps in continuous quality improvement.

A healthy and safe environment is the foundation of high-quality early childhood experiences. When children are healthy and feel safe, they are better able to explore, build relationships, and engage in meaningful learning.

Programs that meet this standard:

• Are licensed by Health and Human Services and meet basic requirements for space, safety, cleanliness, staff qualifications, and staff-to-child ratios
• Receive regular monitoring visits from a Licensing Specialist who ensures that licensing regulations are being followed through on-site visits, record reviews, and observations
• Promote physical safety by actively preventing injuries, while also supporting safe, age-appropriate risk-taking that encourages exploration and development

All licensed early childhood programs in North Dakota are automatically enrolled in Bright & Early ND with a Step 1 Quality Rating.

Building on a foundation of health and safety, Step 2 focuses on creating environments that inspire hands-on exploration, reflect children’s interests, and promote independence. When children are in intentionally designed environments, they are more likely to engage deeply, think critically, and develop a strong sense of self.

Programs that meet this standard:

• Continue to meet the requirements of Step 1
• Design indoor and outdoor environments that are organized, welcoming, and offer a variety of age-appropriate materials that support learning through exploration
• Use children's interests and developmental stages to guide the selection and rotation of materials, creating spaces that promote engagement, creativity, and social interaction
• Regularly reflect on and adjust the environment to ensure inclusivity and support for each child’s development and learning

Building on safe, supportive environments, Step 3 emphasizes intentional, meaningful activities that build on each child's strengths and developmental progress. When learning experiences are planned with purpose and aligned with developmental goals, children are more likely to thrive—academically, socially, and emotionally.

Programs that meet this standard:

• Continue to meet the requirements of Step 1 and Step 2
• Use a curriculum aligned with the North Dakota Early Learning Standards: Birth to Kindergarten to plan activities and guide teaching practices
• Conduct observation-based assessments to ensure children are making progress toward developmental milestones and goals

At the highest level of quality, programs cultivate warm, supportive environments where they feel safe to take risks, explore new ideas, and build strong relationships. Positive, responsive interactions between children and caregivers lay the foundation for lifelong learning, social development, and emotional well-being.

Programs that meet this standard:

• Continue to meet the requirements of Steps 1-3
• Build caring, respectful relationships with each child and encourage positive connections among children
• Consider children’s interests, motivations, and perspectives in daily routines and activities
• Support children’s thinking and language development through thoughtful, engaging conversations