Bright & Early ND is North Dakota’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) designed to empower early childhood professionals to build upon and improve the quality of care they provide to children ages birth to five.
We do this by supporting early childhood professionals through targeted technical assistance, specialized training opportunities, and access to financial incentives. By partnering with early childhood programs, we are coming together to ensure all children receive the foundation they need to thrive in school and in life.
Bright & Early ND Framework
Bright & Early ND uses a block system approach which includes four levels, or steps, to quality. Each step focuses on a component of quality care and must be demonstrated by the program before moving to the next step.
Getting Started
Meeting and maintaining child care licensing regulations is the foundation of Bright & Early ND. These regulations are designed to protect and promote child safety and well-being in all types of settings.
All programs who hold a current license issued by Health & Human Services (HHS) are automatically welcomed into Bright & Early ND as a Step 1 Quality Rated program. If you are ready to continue your quality improvement journey, learn more about the process below.
Questions? Contact Us
Early Childhood Section
600 E. Boulevard Avenue, Dept. 325
Bismarck, ND 58505-0250
Phone: (701) 328-2115
Toll-Free: (800) 997-8516
Relay ND TTY: 711
Email: dhsec@nd.gov