Quality Counts California (QCC) — complete provider guide
Quality Counts California is California's quality improvement and tiered reimbursement system for licensed child care providers. Unlike most state QRIS programs, QCC does not assign public star ratings — instead, it provides enhanced subsidy reimbursement rates for providers who demonstrate quality improvement through environmental assessments, staff credentials, and interaction quality scores.
What Quality Counts California is
Quality Counts California (QCC) is California's Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS), operated jointly by CDSS and local county Consortia. QCC has three core components:
Tiered reimbursement
Providers who meet higher-tier quality criteria receive enhanced subsidy reimbursement rates through their AP agency. The enhancement is above the standard market-rate reimbursement. Exact enhancement amounts are set by CDSS rate tables — contact your county Consortium for current figures.
Quality improvement coaching
County Consortium lead agencies provide free coaching from quality improvement specialists. Coaches help providers improve their physical environment, curriculum implementation, and caregiver-child interactions — the factors assessed in formal QCC evaluations. Coaching is available to all licensed providers regardless of tier level.
Professional development support
Consortium lead agencies connect providers with professional development resources — ECE coursework, CDA credential programs, leadership training, and sometimes financial support for staff education. These resources support providers in meeting the staff credential requirements for higher QCC tiers.
QCC tier structure
QCC uses a tiered structure with quality expectations increasing at each tier. Unlike star ratings displayed publicly on a state website, QCC tiers primarily determine your reimbursement rate enhancement. Tier definitions and specific thresholds may vary by county Consortium — always verify with your local lead agency.
Tier 1 — Licensed (base)
Standard AP rate (no enhancement)All licensed child care providers in good standing with CCLD are at Tier 1 by default. No additional quality demonstration is required at this level. Tier 1 providers receive the standard AP market rate ceiling reimbursement — no enhancement above the base rate.
Tier 2 — Quality (entry enhanced)
Enhanced above base rateRequires completion of a self-assessment and quality improvement plan, completion of required training, and a site visit by Consortium assessors. Minimum scores on environmental rating scales required. Staff credential requirements at this tier are generally entry-level (current ECE units or training). First tier that qualifies for enhanced reimbursement.
Tier 3 — High Quality
Higher enhancement above base rateRequires higher scores on environmental rating scales (ECERS-3, ITERS-3, FDCERS as applicable), stronger staff credentials (lead teachers with CDA or associate degree in ECE), and a CLASS observation component. Director credential or experience requirements increase. Most providers spend 1–2 years in active quality improvement before achieving Tier 3.
Tier 4 — Excellence
Highest enhancement rateThe highest QCC tier. Requires the strongest environmental scores and CLASS observation scores, plus the highest staff credential levels (lead teachers with bachelor's degrees, directors with advanced credentials). Many Tier 4 programs also hold national accreditation (NAEYC, NAFCC). Achieving Tier 4 typically requires 2–4 years of sustained quality improvement.
Free: QCC self-assessment checklist
Assess your program's current position against QCC Tier 2 and Tier 3 criteria — identify your gaps before contacting your Consortium lead agency.
How to pursue higher QCC tiers
- 1Step 1Contact your county Consortium lead agency
Your county CCR&R is often also the Consortium lead agency, or can connect you to it. The lead agency provides free QCC orientation, self-assessment tools, and a quality improvement coach. This is your starting point — do not attempt to navigate QCC without connecting with your local lead agency first.
- 2Step 2Complete a self-assessment
Work with your quality improvement coach to complete a self-assessment of your program against QCC criteria. The self-assessment maps your physical environment, staff credentials, curriculum, and family engagement practices against tier requirements. It identifies your priority improvement areas.
- 3Step 3Develop a Quality Improvement Plan (QIP)
Based on the self-assessment, develop a Quality Improvement Plan with your coach. The QIP sets specific, time-bound goals for environmental improvements, staff credential attainment, and curriculum refinement. The QIP guides your work between assessments.
- 4Step 4Complete required training and credential support
Enroll lead teachers in CDA programs or ECE coursework as required for your target tier. Identify director credential requirements and begin working toward them. Your Consortium lead agency can connect you with scholarship and grant resources for staff education.
- 5Step 5Request a formal QCC assessment
When you and your coach believe you're ready for a formal assessment, request one through your Consortium lead agency. An assessor will conduct environment rating scale observations and, for higher tiers, CLASS observations. Review your assessment report carefully — it identifies both your tier designation and areas for continued improvement.
QCC assessment tools
ECERS-3 (Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale)
Used for preschool and mixed-age rooms (ages 2.5–5). Assesses space and furnishings, personal care routines, language and literacy, learning activities, interaction, and program structure. Scores range from 1–7 across 35 items.
ITERS-3 (Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale)
Used for infant and toddler rooms (ages 0–36 months). Similar structure to ECERS-3 with 33 items calibrated to the developmental needs of very young children.
SACERS (School-Age Care Environment Rating Scale)
Used for school-age child care settings. Assesses the physical environment, health and safety, activities, interactions, and programming for children in kindergarten through age 12.
FDCERS (Family Day Care Environment Rating Scale)
Used for licensed Family Day Care Homes. Assesses the home-based care environment specifically, recognizing that family day care has different physical and structural characteristics than center-based care.
CLASS (Classroom Assessment Scoring System)
Used at higher tiers to assess the quality of caregiver-child interactions in real time. Scores across 10 dimensions including emotional support, classroom organization, and instructional support. CLASS observations are conducted by trained, certified observers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Quality Counts California the same as a star rating system?
No. Quality Counts California (QCC) is not a traditional star rating system. Unlike most states' QRIS programs (which assign 1–5 star ratings), QCC uses a tiered reimbursement model based on quality improvement milestones rather than a publicly visible rating badge. Participation in QCC improves your subsidy reimbursement rate without necessarily resulting in a publicly displayed star rating. This structure is specific to California and different from what providers in other states may be familiar with.
How much more does QCC pay compared to non-QCC providers?
QCC tiered reimbursement rate enhancements above the base AP rate vary by county, tier, and age group. Enhancement amounts are set in the CDSS Reimbursable Expense Rate tables and are updated periodically. Contact your local QCC Consortium lead agency for the current enhancement amounts in your county — the financial impact depends on your enrollment mix and the current rate table for your area.
Which providers can participate in Quality Counts California?
Licensed Child Care Centers, licensed Family Day Care Homes (Small and Large), and license-exempt providers serving AP-funded families are eligible to participate in QCC. You must be enrolled with an Alternative Payment agency to receive tiered reimbursement enhancements through QCC. Participation in quality improvement activities is open to all licensed providers regardless of AP enrollment status.
What is a QCC Consortium lead agency?
QCC is administered locally through county-level Consortia, each led by a lead agency (typically the local CCR&R or a county office of education). The Consortium lead agency coordinates quality improvement activities, administers tiered reimbursement in collaboration with AP agencies, and connects providers with coaching, professional development, and assessment resources. Your first call when pursuing QCC participation should be to your county Consortium lead agency.
What assessments are used in QCC?
QCC uses a combination of environment rating scales (ECERS-3 for preschool rooms, ITERS-3 for infant/toddler rooms, SACERS for school-age settings, FDCERS for family day care homes) and CLASS (Classroom Assessment Scoring System) for caregiver-child interaction quality. Assessments are conducted by trained assessors affiliated with your county Consortium. The specific assessment tools and thresholds required at each tier may vary by Consortium — verify with your local lead agency.
How long does it take to advance through QCC tiers?
Advancement timelines depend on your starting point and the specific requirements for each tier in your county Consortium. Programs with some credentialed staff and a decent physical environment can often achieve the first enhanced tier within 6–12 months. Moving to higher tiers — which require higher CLASS and environment rating scores and stronger staff credential levels — typically takes 18–36 months of deliberate quality improvement. Your Consortium lead agency can give you a realistic timeline based on your current program.
Related guides
Official QCC resources
Get the complete QCC self-assessment checklist
Every criterion for QCC Tiers 2, 3, and 4 — use it to identify your gaps before working with your quality improvement coach.
Get the complete QCC provider guide
The full guide covers tier-by-tier criteria in detail, how environment rating scale scores are calculated, the highest-impact environmental improvements per dollar, and the staff credential pathway most common among California providers advancing to Tier 3.
View the Quality Counts California guide — $4.99Instant access after purchase · Last verified May 2026
Information current as of May 2026. QCC tier criteria and reimbursement rates are updated periodically — verify current requirements with your county Consortium lead agency and at qualitycountscalifornia.com. CloverMap is not affiliated with California CDSS.