Beginning August 1, 2026, we are expanding Bright & Early ND, North Dakota's Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS), to better support early childhood programs at every stage of their quality journey.
Whether your program is just getting started, ready to earn a quality rating, or working to maintain its success, Bright & Early ND offers the tools, coaching, and support needed to continue growing and improving.
Our quality initiatives work together to create a clear pathway for continuous quality improvement. Together, these initiatives help programs provide high-quality experiences for children and families while building a culture of continuous learning and growth.
Read the full description of each initiative below.
QRIS - Building Quality
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.
QRIS – Demonstrating Quality
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.
QRIS – Maintaining Quality
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.
QRIS – Program Observation
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).