Pathways to the Stars: The Modernized NC Quality Rating and Improvement System

Better school and life outcomes for children depend on quality early childhood teachers who have the skills to ensure that children, supported by their families, have the early experiences they need for healthy development and a strong foundation for learning. North Carolina led the nation in 1999 when it launched its Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS), a star rating system for early childhood education facilities. QRIS is a systemic approach to assess, improve, and communicate the level of quality in child care. It encourages programs to engage in continuous quality improvement and families may use the star rating to make informed decisions when choosing a child care facility. 

Begun in February 2023, the Child Care Commission’s work to modernize North Carolina’s QRIS is now complete. Pathways to the Stars, Section .3200, Standards for Two through Five Star Rated Licenses became effective July 1, 2025. Informed by national research, trends and outcomes, and input from more than 1,800 NC early childhood education professionals, Pathways to the Stars incorporates recommendations for change, such as:

• Offering a choice of three pathways to demonstrate quality and earn a 2-5 Star Rated License. 
• Updating education standards for early childhood educators to expand options; and
• Adding standards for both educators and facilities that support continuous quality improvement and family/community engagement and leadership best practices.

Getting Started

Effective October 2025, DCDEE child care consultants now discuss the Pathways to the Stars during licensing visits. Consultants review the pathway options, identify facility needs, answer questions, and work with the facility operator to establish an individualized timeline for transition to a new rated license within 12 months based on the pathway chosen.

DCDEE recognizes that the transition to the new QRIS is a big change. Our staff is committed to ensuring every child care program has the information needed to pick the pathway that works best for their facility. The Division recently held community meetings and virtual information sessions providing guidance on the transition.

• Pathways to the Stars Info Session slide deck
• Pathways to the Stars Family Child Care Home Session slide deck


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DCDEE has updated the Child Care Rule Rollout Course in DCDEE Moodle to include the July 2025 New Rule/Rule Amendments Overview covering the new QRIS Modernization rules.

Effective February 1, 2025, ECERS-3, ITERS-3, and FCCERS-3 — also known as the "Threes" — will be used for program assessments and reassessments. Find information about updated resources, credit hour trainings, and outreach assessment opportunities from the North Carolina Rated License Project (NCRLAP).​

Resources| Recursos

• Recommendations for Quality Rating Improvement System Reform (QRIS/Star-Rating System) from the North Carolina Child Care Commission Report to The Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services By North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, March 28, 2024.​
• Pathways in Brief | Senderos en Resumen
  • Competency Evaluations | Evaluaciones de Competencias
  • Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) for Centers and CLIAR | Mejora Continua de la Calidad para Centros y Centros en Residencias
  • Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) for FCCH | Mejora Continua de la Calidad para Hogares de Cuidado Infantil Familiar
  • Education Standards - Center OnSite Administrator | Estándares Educativos − Administradores presemciales de Centros de Cuidado Infantil 
  • Education Standards - FCCH Operator | Estándares Educativos − Hogares de Cuidado Infantil Familar
  • Education Standards - Group Leader | Estándares Educativos − Líder de Grupo
  • Education Standards - Lead Teacher | Estándares Educativos − Docente Principal
  • Education Standards - Program Coordinator | Estándares Educativos − Coordinadores de Programas
  • Education Standards - School Age Only Administrator | Estándares Educativos − Administrador Cuidando Ninos de Edad Escolar
  • Education Standards - Teacher | Estándares Educativos − Maestro/a
  • Family & Community Engagement Standards for Centers and CLIAR | Estándares de Participación Familiar y Comunitaria para Centros y Centros en una Residencia
  • Family & Community Engagement Standards for FCCH | Estándares de Participación Familiar y Comunitaria para Hogares de Cuidado Infantil Familiar
  • Pathway 1 - Program Assessment for Child Care Centers and CLIAR |  Sendero 1 - Evaluación de Programas para Centros y Centros en una Residencia
  • Pathway 1 - Program Assessment for FCCH | Sendero 1 - Evaluación de Programas para Hogares de Cuidado Infantil Familiar
  • Pathway 2 - Classroom & Instructional Quality for Child Care Centers and CLIAR | Sendero 2 − Calidad Instruccional en el Aula para Centros y Centros en Residencias
  • Pathway 2 - Classroom & Instructional Quality for FCCH | Sendero 2 − Calidad Instruccional en el Aula para Hogares de Cuidado Infantil Familiar
  • Pathway 3 - Accreditation and Head Start | Sendero 3 − Acreditación y Head Start
    • Accreditation Organizations Used in NC QRIS | Organizaciones Nacionales de Acreditación en Educación Infantil en Carolina del Norte
    • Accreditation Licensure Request Form
  • Staff-Child Ratio and Space for Child Care Centers | Requisito de Proporción Personal a Niños y Espacio para Centros de Cuidado Infantil
  • Work Experience Definitions for All Education Standards | Definiciones de Experiencia Laboral para Todos los Estándares Educativos
• Frequently Asked Questions | Preguntas Frecuentes Próximamente

We understand that you may have questions as you consider this information. Questions about QRIS Modernization (Reform) may be sent to [email protected]. In an effort to provide consistent and accurate answers to all individuals, we collect questions and answer them in the Frequently Asked Questions document above.