Getting Started
The Bright & Early ND Program Guide is a resource to help programs successfully participate in Bright & Early ND. Its purpose is to help programs understand the framework and requirements associated with Bright & Early ND. The program guide will serve as an ongoing reference tool for programs participating in Bright & Early ND.
Step 1: Health and Safety
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 licensing staff who ensure 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.
Step 2: Space and Materials
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.
Supports Indicator SM.1
- CACFP Meal Patterns
- Infant Meal Pattern
- Child Meal Patterns
- Go NAPSACC Self-Assessments for Preschool and Center Licensed Programs
- Go NAPSACC Self Assessments for Family and Group Licensed Programs
- MyPlate Life Stages
- Weekly Menu Template
Supports Indicator SM.2
The Environment Rating Scales® (ERS®) are a series of reliable, valid, research-based observational tools designed to assess the quality of the environment. The QRIS utilizes three scales, each designed for a different segment of the early childhood field.
- The Infant and Toddler Environment Rating Scale®, Third Edition (ITERS-3™) is designed to assess the quality of environments serving children birth to 36 months and is predominately used in infant and toddler classrooms located in a center.
- The Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale®, Third Edition (ECERS-3™) is designed to assess the quality of environments serving children ages 3 to 5 and is predominately used in preschool classrooms located in a center.
- The Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale®, Third Edition (FCCERS-3™) is designed to assess the quality of environments in family child care settings. One observation is conducted per family or group child care program.
Additional Resources
Supports Indicator SM.3
Quality Improvement Planning
Continuous quality improvement is a process to ensure programs are systematically and intentionally improving services and increasing positive outcomes for the children and families they serve. It is proactive, not reactive. A continuous quality improvement environment is one in which data is collected and used to make positive changes, even when things are going well. The process is meant to be ongoing and generally follows a cycle. Through the process of continuous quality improvement, early care and education programs are able to:
- Identify needs or barriers
- Develop strategies of change
- Implement those strategies
- Make decisions about ongoing and long-lasting improvements
The Quality Improvement Plan is part of the continuous quality improvement process in which programs assess their strengths and opportunities for growth, set achievable goals, and develop realistic plans for improvement.
Supports Indicator SM.4
ND Early Childhood Workforce Registry Help Center
- Employment Information for Individuals
- Employee Information for Organizations
The ND Early Childhood Workforce Registry is the source for training, education, and employment verification. All training must appear on an individual’s Learning Record as approved clock hours. Programs that experience turnover in leadership positions must also submit a Professional Development Action Plan.
Supports Indicator SM.5
ND Early Childhood Workforce Registry Help Center
- Individual Accounts
- Career Pathways
The ND Early Childhood Workforce Registry is the source for training, education, and employment verification. All training must appear on an individual’s Learning Record as approved clock hours. Programs that experience turnover in leadership positions must also submit a Professional Development Action Plan.
Supports Indicator SM.6
Visit the ND Early Childhood Training Calendar to find current listing of trainings offered.
The ND Early Childhood Workforce Registry is the source for training, education, and employment verification. All training must appear on an individual’s Learning Record as approved clock hours. Programs that experience turnover in leadership positions must also submit a Professional Development Action Plan.
Step 3: Activities and Experiences
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.
Supports Indicator AE.1
Supports Indicator AE.2
Teaching Strategies GOLD Resources
- Model Implementation Plan
- The Model Implementation Plan is a visual road map that outlines the recommended professional development, best practices, and resources that will support a successful first year of implementation.
- Preparing for Implementation
- The Preparing for Implementation Document helps you reflect on pre-implementation key features: identifying measures of success, building a professional development plan, planning for logistics, and reviewing fidelity FAQs.
- Getting Started Checklists
- The Getting Started Checklists, each designed with a specific type of user in mind, provide tactical steps so you can feel confident in independently getting started with GOLD.
- User Guides
- The GOLD User Guides, each designed with a specific type of user in mind, provide you with the comprehensive collection of steps and year-round support to ensure a successful GOLD implementation.
- GOLD Objectives for Development and Learning: Birth through Third Grade
- GOLD Progressions: Birth through Third Grade
- Teaching Strategies Support Portal for GOLD
Supports Indicator AE.3
Supports Indicator AE.4
Quality Improvement Planning
Continuous quality improvement is a process to ensure programs are systematically and intentionally improving services and increasing positive outcomes for the children and families they serve. It is proactive, not reactive. A continuous quality improvement environment is one in which data is collected and used to make positive changes, even when things are going well. The process is meant to be ongoing and generally follows a cycle. Through the process of continuous quality improvement, early care and education programs are able to:
- Identify needs or barriers
- Develop strategies of change
- Implement those strategies
- Make decisions about ongoing and long-lasting improvements
The Quality Improvement Plan is part of the continuous quality improvement process in which programs assess their strengths and opportunities for growth, set achievable goals, and develop realistic plans for improvement.
Supports Indicator AE.5
The Introduction to GOLD (2024) is a bundle of courses that is delivered online, self-service, through the SmartTeach™ platform by Teaching Strategies®. Attendees must be participating in Bright & Early ND, working towards a Step 3 or Step 4 Quality Rating, and have an active SmartTeach® account.
Register for Introduction to GOLD (2024)
The North Dakota Early Childhood Workforce Registry, Growing Futures, is the source for training, education, and employment verification. All training must appear on an individual’s Growing Futures Learning Record as approved clock hours. Programs that experience turnover in leadership positions must also submit a Professional Development Action Plan.
Step 4: Relationships and Interactions
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.
Supports Indicator RI.1
Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS)
The Classroom Assessment Scoring System® (CLASS®) is a research-based method of measuring, evaluating, and improving teacher-child interactions. The QRIS utilizes three scales, each designed for a different segment of the early childhood field.
- The Infant CLASS® is designed to assess effective teacher-child interactions in care environments serving children birth to 18 months.
- The Toddler CLASS® is designed to assess effective teacher-child interactions in care environments serving children 19 to 35 months.
- The PreK CLASS® is designed to assess effective teacher-child interactions in care environments serving children ages 3 to 5 years.
Additional Resources
Supports Indicator RI.2
Quality Improvement Planning
Continuous quality improvement is a process to ensure programs are systematically and intentionally improving services and increasing positive outcomes for the children and families they serve. It is proactive, not reactive. A continuous quality improvement environment is one in which data is collected and used to make positive changes, even when things are going well. The process is meant to be ongoing and generally follows a cycle. Through the process of continuous quality improvement, early care and education programs are able to:
- Identify needs or barriers
- Develop strategies of change
- Implement those strategies
- Make decisions about ongoing and long-lasting improvements
The Quality Improvement Plan is part of the continuous quality improvement process in which programs assess their strengths and opportunities for growth, set achievable goals, and develop realistic plans for improvement.
Supports Indicator RI.3
Growing Futures Help Center
- Individual Accounts
- Career Pathways
The North Dakota Early Childhood Workforce Registry, Growing Futures, is the source for training, education, and employment verification. All training must appear on an individual’s Growing Futures Learning Record as approved clock hours. Programs that experience turnover in leadership positions must also submit a Professional Development Action Plan.
Supports Indicator RI.4
Aim4Excellence™ Director Credential
Aim4Excellence™ is an online national director credential for early childhood administrators. The credential focuses on the essential knowledge and skills directors need to deliver high-quality programming for children. Aim4Excellence™ includes nine self-paced modules. Modules can be taken for credit or CEUs through University of North Dakota (UND) or for noncredit. Aim4Excellence™ is a project of the McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership.
The North Dakota Early Childhood Workforce Registry, Growing Futures, is the source for training, education, and employment verification. All training must appear on an individual’s Growing Futures Learning Record as approved clock hours. Programs that experience turnover in leadership positions must also submit a Professional Development Action Plan.
Supports Indicator RI.4a
Visit the North Dakota Early Childhood Training Calendar to find current listing of trainings offered.
The North Dakota Early Childhood Workforce Registry, Growing Futures, is the source for training, education, and employment verification. All training must appear on an individual’s Growing Futures Learning Record as approved clock hours. Programs that experience turnover in leadership positions must also submit a Professional Development Action Plan.
Supports Indicator RI.5
The Introduction to the Infant CLASS®, Introduction to the Toddler CLASS®, and Introduction to the Pre-K CLASS® are a bundle of courses that are delivered online, self-service, through the myTeachstone platform. Attendees must be participating in Bright & Early ND, working towards a Step 4 Quality Rating, and have an active myTeachstone account.
The Introduction to the Infant CLASS® is a bundle of courses that includes the following:
- Learn About Relational Climate (15 minutes)
- Learn About Teacher Sensitivity (15 minutes)
- Learn About Facilitated Exploration (15 minutes)
- Learn About Early Language Support (15 minutes)
- Infant-Toddler Caregiving: Responding with Developmentally Appropriate Practice (30 minutes)
- Infant-Toddler Caregiving: Observing Children’s Cues (15 minutes)
- Infant-Toddler Caregiving: Nurturing Attachment with Teacher Sensitivity (20 minutes)
Register for the Introduction to the Infant CLASS
The Introduction to the Toddler CLASS® is a bundle of courses that includes the following:
- Learn About Positive Climate (15 minutes)
- Learn About Negative Climate (15 minutes)
- Learn About Teacher Sensitivity (15 minutes)
- Learn About Regard for Child Perspectives (15 minutes)
- Learn About Behavior Guidance (15 minutes)
- Learn About Facilitation of Learning and Development (15 minutes)
- Learn About Quality of Feedback (15 minutes)
- Learn About Language Modeling (15 minutes)
Register for the Introduction to the Toddler CLASS
The Introduction to the Pre-K CLASS® is a bundle of courses including the following:
- Learn About Positive Climate (15 minutes)
- Learn About Negative Climate (15 minutes)
- Learn About Teacher Sensitivity (15 minutes)
- Learn About Regard for Student Perspectives (15 minutes)
- Learn About Behavior Management (15 minutes)
- Learn About Productivity (15 minutes)
- Learn About Instructional Learning Formats (15 minutes)
- Learn About Concept Development (15 minutes)
- Learn About Quality of Feedback (15 minutes)
- Learn About Language Modeling (15 minutes)
Register for the Introduction to the Pre-K CLASS
The North Dakota Early Childhood Workforce Registry, Growing Futures, is the source for training, education, and employment verification. All training must appear on an individual’s Growing Futures Learning Record as approved clock hours. Programs that experience turnover in leadership positions must also submit a Professional Development Action Plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for a Bright & Early ND Cohort?
Follow the steps below:
Step 1: Log in to the ND Early Childhood Hub.
Step 2: Enter your email address and password.
Step 3: In the top right corner, click the blue box, then select your organization.
Step 4: From the left-hand menu, click Quality Dashboard.
Step 5: On the right side, click the Apply for Cases button.
Step 6: Scroll down to QRIS-Bright & Early ND, then click Apply.
Step 7: Review each section of the application. You can track your progress using the icons (confirmed, review, and incomplete).
Step 8: After reviewing all sections, click Submit Application.
Step 9: Read and agree to the Bright & Early ND Participation Agreement, then click Continue.
Step 10: Click Yes to confirm and submit your application.
Step 11: After submission, you'll receive a confirmation email with next steps.
How do I set up the Classrooms Tab?
Follow the steps below:
Step 1: Log in to the ND Early Childhood Hub.
Step 2: Enter your email address and password.
Step 3: In the top right corner, click the blue box, then select your organization.
Step 4: In the Classrooms tab, to update Program Capacity & Enrollment, click Edit. See the step-by-step instructions for additional details.
Step 5: Check over the information entered, click Update when finished.
Step 6: Click edit to add a ‘Licensee/Owner’ (for Family and Group licensed programs) or a ‘Program Director’ (for Preschool and Center-based programs).
Step 7: Click Add Director, under ‘Edit Licensee/Owner’ (for Family and Group licensed programs) or ‘Edit Director of Record’ (for Preschool and Center-based programs).
Step 8: A list of the organization’s current employees will generate. Click select to assign this role. Enter the date the ‘Licensee/Owner’ (for Family and Group licensed programs) or ‘Director of Record’ (for Preschool and Center-based programs) began employment in that role, when completed click confirm. Check over the information listed, click Return when finished.
Step 9: Click the Add button to create a new classroom or group. See the step-by-step instructions for additional details.
How do I submit my Quality Standards Inventory?
Follow the steps below:
Step 1: Log in to the ND Early Childhood Hub.
Step 2: Enter your email address and password.
Step 3: In the top right corner, click the blue box, then select your organization.
Step 4: From the left-hand menu, click Quality Dashboard.
Step 5: Scroll down to locate the QRIS - Bright & Early ND case. Click on the green Case Details button.
Step 6: On the right-hand side, click on the green View Quality Standards Inventory button.
Step 7: You will need to review each of section of the Quality Standards inventory. You can track your progress by viewing the (confirmed, review, and incomplete) icons.
Step 8: Read through the directions of each indicator carefully and complete the required checkboxes. Some indicators may require evidence to be added, others may not.
Step 9: Programs can work on their Quality Standards Inventory throughout the Bright & Early ND cohort. To ensure your hard work is captured click the Save button. You must read through and complete all the indicators prior to submitting your Quality Standards Inventory.
Step 10: To submit your Quality Standards Inventory for review, click on the Submit for Quality Rating button.
Step 11: Click Yes to confirm you are ready to Submit for Quality Rating.
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