Bright & Early ND Resources

Early childhood programs play a critical role in supporting the health and wellness of children through the provision of nutritious foods. Early childhood professionals have a powerful opportunity to instill healthy habits in young children that serve as a foundation for healthy choices throughout life.

Option 1: Participation in a National Food Program 

Program is actively participating in a national food program, either the Child & Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) or National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and is in good standing. Active participation means the program is fulfilling the requirements to receive potential benefits on a monthly basis.

To meet this option, programs must submit evidence that:

• Shows active participation (e.g., billing statements or proof of payment)
• Includes a valid date (e.g., month-day-year)
• Is dated within 60 days of the Quality Standards Inventory submission

Option 2: Not Participating in a National Food Program  

The program is not actively participating in a national food program.

To meet this option, programs must submit:

• One week of menus aligned with USDA guidelines, and
• Completed Go NAPSACC Self-Assessment(s).

Please contact your coach to request a copy of the Go NAPSACC Self-Assessments specific to your program type.

Program develops a Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) that:

• Is guided by ERS® observation summary report(s),
• Includes both short-term and long-term goals,
• Includes action items to support overall quality improvement.

A 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.

To meet this indicator, programs must submit:

• QIP that reflects all the components listed above, and
• Is dated within the previous 12 months

The Early Childhood Workforce Registry, formerly known as Growing Futures, is the source for training, education, and employment verification.

To meet this indicator, the Program Director, all Lead Teachers and/or all Lead Caregivers must:

• Have verified employment in the program's organization account

Indicator Validation

This indicator is verified using the organization's SM.4 Quality Indicator Report.

The Early Childhood Workforce Registry, formerly known as Growing Futures, is the source for training, education, and employment verification. 

To meet this indicator, the Program Director, all Lead Teachers and/or all Lead Caregivers must: 

• Maintain a current individual membership in the Registry, and
• Have a current Career Pathway placement of Category A or Higher

Indicator Validation

This indicator is verified using the organization's SM.5 Quality Indicator Report.

Helpful Resources

Programs experiencing turnover within 90 days prior to submitting their Quality Standards Inventory must submit a Professional Development Plan for all newly hired Lead employees, including Program Directors, Lead Teachers and Lead Caregivers.

This provides newly hired employees time to meet licensing requirements and the program’s Bright & Early ND Step goal. This plan is to be completed by the employee and will be used as evidence to verify professional development requirements for Bright & Early ND. All goals and action items must be within one year of the employee’s hire date. 

The Early Childhood Workforce Registry, formerly known as Growing Futures, is the source for training, education, and employment verification. All training must appear on an individual’s Learning Record as approved clock hours. 

To meet this indicator, the Program Director, all Lead Teachers and/or all Lead Caregivers must:

• Complete at least 10 clock hours in Core Competency Area II. Learning Environment and Curriculum

Indicator Validation

This indicator is verified using the organization's SM.6 Quality Indicator Report.

Helpful Resources

Programs experiencing turnover within 90 days prior to submitting their Quality Standards Inventory must submit a Professional Development Action Plan for all newly hired Lead employees, including Program Directors, Lead Teachers and Lead Caregivers.

This provides newly hired employees time to meet licensing requirements and the program’s Bright & Early ND Step goal. This plan is to be completed by the employee and will be used as evidence to verify professional development requirements for Bright & Early ND. All goals and action items must be within one year of the employee’s hire date. 

Visit the ND Early Childhood Training Calendar to find current listing of trainings offered. 

The program implements a developmentally appropriate curriculum that aligns with the North Dakota Early Learning Standards: Birth to Kindergarten. Use the Bright & Early ND Curriculum Alignment Worksheet (pdf) to determine how your curriculum aligns with the Standards. Bright & Early ND does not require programs to use a specific curriculum. Rather, curricula should be aligned with the Standards and reflect the values and philosophy of the program and the children and families served.

Programs can request a review of their Curriculum Alignment Worksheet at any time. Once approved, they will receive a copy of the Bright & Early ND Curriculum Alignment Rubric used to evaluate the worksheet. For step-by-step instructions on submitting your worksheet for review, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions at the bottom of this page.

To meet this indicator, programs must submit:

• Completed and scored Curriculum Alignment Rubric, and
• Is dated within the previous 3 years

This indicator requires programs to utilize GOLD®, a developmentally appropriate observation-based assessment system. GOLD® is an authentic, ongoing, observation-based assessment system that helps early childhood professionals, like you, focus on what matters most for children’s success. Access to GOLD® is provided, at no cost, by Health and Human Services (HHS).

To meet this indicator, programs must submit: 

• Evidence of the program's current GOLD® subscription agreement and receipt of purchase. For programs accessing GOLD® via HHS, no additional evidence is needed. 

This indicator requires programs to complete GOLD® checkpoints during the three yearly periods (fall, winter, spring). Programs will demonstrate ongoing assessment of children using GOLD® checkpoints. A checkpoint period is the timeframe where programs will observe, document, and assess children’s development and learning. In order to produce a valid and reliable area level score, each classroom or group must complete, at minimum, 70% of objectives and dimensions in each area.

To meet this indicator, programs must submit evidence that: 

• Reflects the current or previously completed checkpoint period
• Includes all eligible classrooms or groups with, at minimum, 70% of objectives and dimensions in each area completed

Program develops a Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) that:

• Is guided by GOLD® assessments,
• Includes both short-term and long-term goals,
• Includes action items to support overall quality improvement.

A 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.

To meet this indicator, programs must submit:

• QIP that reflects all the components listed above, and
• Is dated within the previous 12 months

The Early Childhood Workforce Registry, formerly known as Growing Futures, is the source for training, education, and employment verification. All training must appear on an individual’s Learning Record as approved clock hours.

To meet this indicator, the Program Director, all Lead Teachers and/or all Lead Caregivers must complete one of the following:

• Introduction to GOLD® (14 clock hours); As of July 15th, 2024 this course has been retired.
• Introduction to GOLD® 2024 (13 clock hours)

Indicator Validation

This indicator is verified using the organization's AE.5 Quality Indicator Report.

Helpful Resources

Programs experiencing turnover within 90 days prior to submitting their Quality Standards Inventory must submit a Professional Development Plan for all newly hired Lead employees, including Program Directors, Lead Teachers and Lead Caregivers.

This provides newly hired employees time to meet licensing requirements and the program’s Bright & Early ND Step goal. This plan is to be completed by the employee and will be used as evidence to verify professional development requirements for Bright & Early ND. All goals and action items must be within one year of the employee’s hire date.

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)

Program develops a Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) that:

• Is guided by CLASS® observation summary report(s),
• Includes both short-term and long-term goals,
• Includes action items to support overall quality improvement.

A 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.

To meet this indicator, programs must submit:

• QIP that reflects all the components listed above, and
• Is dated within the previous 12 months

The Early Childhood Workforce Registry, formerly known as Growing Futures, is the source for training, education, and employment verification. 

To meet this indicator, the Program Director, all Lead Teachers and/or all Lead Caregivers must: 

• Maintain a current individual membership in the Registry, and
• Have a current Career Pathway placement of Category E or Higher

Indicator Validation

This indicator is verified using the organization's RI.3 Quality Indicator Report.

Helpful Resources

Programs experiencing turnover within 90 days prior to submitting their Quality Standards Inventory must submit a Professional Development Plan for all newly hired Lead employees, including Program Directors, Lead Teachers and Lead Caregivers.

This provides newly hired employees time to meet licensing requirements and the program’s Bright & Early ND Step goal. This plan is to be completed by the employee and will be used as evidence to verify professional development requirements for Bright & Early ND. All goals and action items must be within one year of the employee’s hire date. 

The Early Childhood Workforce Registry, formerly known as Growing Futures, is the source for training, education, and employment verification. All training must appear on an individual’s Learning Record as approved clock hours. 

To meet this indicator, the Program Director must:

• Have a verified and current Aim4Excellence™ Director Credential.

Indicator Validation

• This indicator is verified using the organization's RI.4 Quality Indicator Report.
• This indicator is N/A for Family Child Care and Group licensed programs.

Helpful Resources

Programs experiencing turnover within 90 days prior to submitting their Quality Standards Inventory must submit a Professional Development Plan for all newly hired Lead employees, including Program Directors, Lead Teachers and Lead Caregivers.

This provides newly hired employees time to meet licensing requirements and the program’s Bright & Early ND Step goal. This plan is to be completed by the employee and will be used as evidence to verify professional development requirements for Bright & Early ND. All goals and action items must be within one year of the employee’s hire date. 

The Early Childhood Workforce Registry, formerly known as Growing Futures, is the source for training, education, and employment verification. All training must appear on an individual’s Learning Record as approved clock hours. 

To meet this indicator, all Lead Caregivers must:

• Complete at least 10 clock hours in Core Competency Area VIII. Program Planning and Evaluation

Indicator Validation

• This indicator is verified using the organization's RI.4a Quality Indicator Report.
• This indicator is N/A for Preschool and Center licensed programs.

Helpful Resources

Programs experiencing turnover within 90 days prior to submitting their Quality Standards Inventory must submit a Professional Development Plan for all newly hired Lead employees, including Program Directors, Lead Teachers and Lead Caregivers.

This provides newly hired employees time to meet licensing requirements and the program’s Bright & Early ND Step goal. This plan is to be completed by the employee and will be used as evidence to verify professional development requirements for Bright & Early ND. All goals and action items must be within one year of the employee’s hire date. 

Visit the North Dakota Early Childhood Training Calendar to find current listing of trainings offered. 

The Early Childhood Workforce Registry, formerly known as Growing Futures, is the source for training, education, and employment verification. All training must appear on an individual’s Learning Record as approved clock hours.

To meet this indicator, the Program Director, all Lead Teachers and/or all Lead Caregivers must complete one of the following:

• Introduction to the Infant CLASS® (2 clock hours)
• Introduction to the Toddler CLASS® (2 clock hours)
• Introduction to the Pre-K CLASS® (2.5 clock hours)

Indicator Validation

This indicator is verified using the organization's RI.5 Quality Indicator Report.

Helpful Resources

Programs experiencing turnover within 90 days prior to submitting their Quality Standards Inventory must submit a Professional Development Plan for all newly hired Lead employees, including Program Directors, Lead Teachers and Lead Caregivers.

This provides newly hired employees time to meet licensing requirements and the program’s Bright & Early ND Step goal. This plan is to be completed by the employee and will be used as evidence to verify professional development requirements for Bright & Early ND. All goals and action items must be within one year of the employee’s hire date.

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

Follow the steps below:

1. Log in to the ND Early Childhood Hub using your email and password.
2. In the top right corner of the screen, click the blue box and select your organization.
3. In the Document Vault, click Add Document to upload your completed Curriculum Alignment Worksheet.
4. Send an email to QRIS@nd.gov and request a review.
5. Once your worksheet is reviewed, you will receive your completed rubric within 15 business days.

Follow the steps below:

1. Log in to the ND Early Childhood Hub using your email and password.
2. In the top right corner of the screen, click the blue box and select your organization.
3. From the menu on the left side of the screen, click Quality Dashboard.
4. Scroll down the page until you find the Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) section.
5. Click Add Goal to create a new goal.
6. In the Goal Manager, fill out each section of the form.
7. When you finish, click Save.

Follow the steps below:

1. Log in to the ND Early Childhood Hub using your email and password.
2. In the top right corner of the screen, click the blue box and select your organization.
3. In the Classrooms tab, to update Program Capacity & Enrollment, click Edit. 
4. Check over the information entered, click Update when finished.
5. To add an "Owner" or "Program Director", click Edit. Then, click Add.
6. A list of the organization’s current employees will generate. Click select to assign this role. Enter the date the "Owner" or "Program Director" started in that role. When you're done, click confirm. Check over the information listed, click Return when finished.
7. Click the Add button to create a new classroom or group. 

Follow the steps below:

1. Log in to the ND Early Childhood Hub using your email and password.
2. In the top right corner of the screen, click the blue box and select your organization.
3. From the menu on the left side of the screen, click Quality Dashboard.
4. On the right side of the screen, click the Apply for Cases button.
5. Scroll down until you find QRIS-Bright & Early ND, then click Apply.
6. Review each section of the application. You can track your progress using the icons (confirmed, review, and incomplete).
7. After reviewing all sections, click Submit Application.
8. Read and agree to the Bright & Early ND Participation Agreement, then click Continue.
9. Click Yes to confirm and submit your application.
10. After you submit, you will receive a confirmation email with next steps.

Follow the steps below:

1. Log in to the ND Early Childhood Hub using your email and password.
2. In the top right corner of the screen, click the blue box and select your organization.
3. From the menu on the left side of the screen, click Quality Dashboard.
4. Scroll down to locate the QRIS - Bright & Early ND case. Click on the green Case Details button.
5. On the right-hand side, click on the green View Quality Standards Inventory button.
6. 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.
7. Read through the directions of each indicator carefully and complete the required checkboxes. Some indicators may require evidence to be added, others may not.
8. 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.
9. To submit your Quality Standards Inventory for review, click on the Submit for Quality Rating button.
10. Click Yes to confirm you are ready to Submit for Quality Rating.

Follow the steps below:

1. Log in to the ND Early Childhood Hub with your email and password.
2. Click the blue box in the top right corner of the screen and choose your organization.
3. On the left side of the screen, click on Quality Dashboard from the menu.
4. On the right side of the screen, find and click the Apply for Cases button.
5. Scroll down until you see QRIS - Quality Improvement Grant, then click Apply.
6. Go through each part of the application and review it. You can see how you're doing by looking at the icons that show confirmed, review, and incomplete sections.
7. Once you've looked at all of the sections, click Submit Application button.
8. Read the grant attestation, agree to it, then click Continue.
9. Confirm that you want to submit your application by clicking Yes.

The Alternate Pathway is a streamlined process to achieve a Step 4 Quality Rating. This option is available because the requirements of the accreditation and Head Start Performance Standards mirror or exceed the requirements of the Full Pathway process.

Programs with a Head Start designation or certificate of accreditation from one of the following organizations are eligible to pursue the Alternate Pathway:

• National Association for the Education for Young Children (NAEYC)
• National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) accreditation
• Council on Accreditation (COA)
• National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs (NAC)

Programs following the Alternate Pathway will complete all the required Quality Indicators within that pathway. Please see the list below for all required indicators: 

• SM.2
• SM.3
• SM.4
• SM.5
• RI.1
• RI.2
• RI.3
• RI.4 or RI.4a
• RI.5

Before the Observation
Your assigned assessor will confirm your scheduled observation 48 hours beforehand with a phone call. If you're not available, they'll leave a message. They'll also send an email to the address listed in your organization account.

On the morning of the observation, the assessor will arrive 5-10 minutes early. If your program has multiple classrooms or groups, they'll meet with the Program Director or Lead Caregiver to review the schedule.

At this meeting, the assessor will need some information:

• The names of the Lead Teachers or Lead Caregivers who will be present during the observation
• The number of children enrolled in each classroom or group
• If any children have special needs
• The birthdates of the oldest and youngest children in each classroom or group

We recommend that you stick to your regular schedule, including both indoor and outdoor activities. If something unexpected comes up, like a thunderstorm, just follow your usual plan for that situation.

During the Observation

The observation is divided into three cycles. Each cycle includes fifteen minutes of observation, followed by 10 minutes of scoring, during which the assessor will step out of the room. After scoring, they might take a few extra minutes to prepare for the next cycle. 

The assessor will let you know when they start and finish the observation. They'll stay in the background and limit their interactions with both children and adults during the observation.

After the Observation

Once the observation is complete, the assessor will let you know. They'll create a summary report based on the data collected during the observation and email it to your program within three weeks of the observation date.

Child Enrollment Requirements

To meet the requirements, at least one child from each classroom or group must be in attendance on the day of the observation.