Great Start to Quality

07/30/2026

CLASS 2nd Edition Pre-K–3 builds on the same proven framework educators know and trust, with enhancements that better reflect and honor individual and cultural differences.

Great Start to Quality will begin using CLASS 2nd Edition Pre-K–3 on August 1, 2026. To help you prepare, we'll be sharing resources, training opportunities, and updates along the way. Watch our website for more information!

07/30/2026

Learn how the voices of child care providers across the state are urging change to better support their child care businesses and the children they care for.

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) helps ensure children have access to nutritious food by reimbursing child care providers for healthy meals.

Yet only 48% of Michigan's early childhood programs take advantage of this support. Why? We turned to the experts, early educators, to understand what an equitable CACFP program should look like to support Michigan's youngest children.

Join us on Tuesday, August 11, to hear about the specific policy changes providers are calling for, help identify the top policy priorities, and discuss actionable advocacy approaches to transform CACFP and turn this shared vision into reality.

Register now: https://bit.ly/4fLS7KF

07/29/2026

Have you heard about the new Michigan Infant and Toddler Caregiver Certificate? This is a NEW opportunity for entry-level educators to enhance learning, skills, and career progression!

Learn more: https://bit.ly/3RvZIUY

07/26/2026

Looking for a career in the early care and education field? Check out the GSQ Job Board for opportunities across Michigan that support children and families. Search for positions and apply for free: https://bit.ly/3LuSZb3

07/24/2026

One week left: don’t miss your chance to apply!

For organizations interested in becoming a Great Start to Quality Resource Center, applications are due on Friday, July 31st at 5 p.m. ET.

Learn more and apply now: https://bit.ly/4ogKEqu

***Individual child care providers or businesses are not eligible for this specific funding opportunity.***

07/21/2026

Using open-ended questions can help children grow their curiosity, creativity, and thinking skills, while giving educators a clear look into how children think and feel.

These types of questions encourage children to use descriptive language instead of giving simple, one-word answers. Since open-ended questions don't have a right or wrong answer, the pressure of making mistakes is taken away and it allows children to participate successfully. Educators can use “tell me about…” statements or ask questions like “what do you think?” or “what did you learn?”

07/17/2026

Great Start to Quality Validators from the Early Childhood Investment Corporation spent time at the The National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) conference this week networking with other professionals supporting and advocating for home-based child care business owners. Their learning will help us to continue improving the ways in which we support high-quality care in these dynamic and invaluable programs which are critical to supporting children and families in our state.

07/16/2026

Want to stay in the LOOP on all things Great Start to Quality?

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter, 'The Loop,' to receive updates on recent news across the state, tips for validation and on-site observation, Quality Connection updates, and more!

Subscribe today here:
https://bit.ly/4nSUmO6

07/14/2026

In programs that serve youth, There should be multiple opportunities for them to set goals or make and revise plans. This could be within activities or activities they plan to complete.

Before starting an activity, have youth make a goal or plan for what they want to accomplish or how they will complete the task. Encourage them to draw, write down, or represent their goal/plan in some way so that they can refer back to it while monitoring their progress or to edit the plan/goal when things don’t work out.

This helps children engage more deeply in the activities that are planned. It also allows them to monitor their own progress and evaluate whether their goal/plan needs to change when there is a outcome is not what was intended.

Learn more about the Social Emotional Learning Program Quality Assessment tool used in Out-of-School Time only programs: https://bit.ly/4uCWJYI

07/10/2026

Check out the improvements that will better support trainers in MiRegistry.

Beginning on July 9th, 2026, MiRegistry Approved Trainers and Training Sponsor Organizations (TSOs) will see a new and improved course and event Training Entry page in MiRegistry. This enhanced layout ensures that your courses and events are organized in a more user-friendly, mobile-first format. All functionality will remain the same.

Please see our Creating an Event and Creating a Course guides for step-by-step assistance navigating the new layout.

If you have any questions about navigating the new layout, please email us at [email protected].