The Five Star Levels in Detail
Each level is cumulative — a 3-star provider meets all 1-star and 2-star requirements, plus additional ones.
<\!-- STAR 1 -->One Star — Licensed & Entering the System
A one-star rating means the provider has a valid Georgia childcare license and has enrolled in the Quality Rated system. They have completed the initial application and self-assessment, and they are actively working toward improvement. One-star status is the starting point — it signals willingness to be evaluated and a commitment to a quality journey, even if the full standards have not yet been met.
What One Star Requires
- Active, valid Georgia childcare license from DECAL
- Completed Quality Rated application and enrollment
- No outstanding licensing violations or corrective actions
- Participation in orientation and self-assessment training
- Agreement to on-site environment assessments
Two Stars — Enhanced Environment & Staff Training
Two stars means the program has been assessed by a trained rater using standardized observation tools and has met enhanced benchmarks. The classroom environment is measurably better organized, richer in materials, and more responsive to children's needs than a baseline licensed program.
Environment Standards
- Classrooms assessed using Environment Rating Scales (ERS) — validated tools used nationally
- Learning centers are organized and accessible to children
- Adequate books, materials, and sensory play opportunities
- Daily schedule balances active and quiet play
Staff Training
- All lead teachers complete at least 10 hours of documented professional development annually
- Director completes leadership training modules
- Staff files include verified training records
What This Means for Your Child
A more stimulating classroom with better materials, teachers who are actively growing their skills, and a program that has invited outside eyes in to evaluate its quality — a significant step above minimum licensing.
Three Stars — Credentialed Teachers & Formal Curriculum
Three stars is the level where professional qualifications become a hard requirement. The leap from 2 to 3 stars is significant — it's where you start to see teachers who have made early childhood education their formal area of study.
Teacher Qualifications
- All lead teachers hold at minimum a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential
- CDA requires 120 hours of formal childcare education and direct observation
- Some teachers may hold associate's or bachelor's degrees in ECE
- Ongoing education plans on file for all staff
Curriculum Requirements
- Written curriculum aligned to Georgia's Early Learning & Development Standards (GELDS)
- Lesson plans documented and available to parents upon request
- Intentional teaching strategies observed during assessment
Family Engagement
- Formal family engagement policies in place
- Regular parent communication — newsletters, conferences, or digital updates
- Translated materials available for non-English-speaking families
Four Stars — Leadership Development & Data-Driven Practice
Four-star programs demonstrate strong organizational leadership and use child assessment data to improve teaching practice. The director is typically degree-educated in early childhood, and the program runs sophisticated professional development systems for all staff.
Director Qualifications
- Director holds at minimum an associate's degree in Early Childhood Education or related field
- Many directors hold bachelor's degrees with specialization in ECE leadership
- Director completes advanced leadership and business management training
- Demonstrated experience in curriculum oversight and staff supervision
Professional Development
- Written Individual Professional Development Plans (IPDPs) for every teacher
- Staff coaching and mentoring systems documented and in use
- Higher training hour requirements than 3-star
Child Assessment & Improvement
- Child observation data collected regularly and used to adjust teaching
- Program-level data reviewed at least annually to drive improvement goals
- Strong, documented family partnership practices including involvement opportunities
Five Stars — Georgia's Gold Standard
Five-star programs represent the highest level of verified quality in Georgia. They exceed all state standards in every measured domain, and many have pursued NAEYC accreditation — a nationally recognized mark of excellence that requires an independent review of hundreds of program standards. Choosing a 5-star provider means choosing the best available early care Georgia has to offer.
Staff Qualifications
- Majority of lead teachers hold bachelor's degrees or higher in ECE or a related field
- Director holds a bachelor's or master's degree in early childhood education or program administration
- Highest professional development hour requirements in the system
- Staff compensation practices support retention of qualified educators
Program Standards
- Top-tier environment assessment scores across all classrooms
- Sophisticated, research-aligned curriculum in use with observable implementation
- Comprehensive child assessment system used to individualize learning
- Deep family partnership — families are viewed as genuine partners, not recipients
NAEYC Accreditation
- Many 5-star programs hold NAEYC accreditation — a rigorous, voluntary national standard
- NAEYC requires compliance with 10 program standards and ~400 individual criteria
- Accreditation involves a self-study and independent on-site verification visit
- Valid for 5 years; programs must re-accredit to maintain status
Side-by-Side Comparison
How the key requirements stack up across each star level.
| Requirement | ★ 1 Star | ★★ 2 Stars | ★★★ 3 Stars | ★★★★ 4 Stars | ★★★★★ 5 Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valid GA License | ✔ Required | ✔ Required | ✔ Required | ✔ Required | ✔ Required |
| Environment Assessment (ERS) | Enrolled | ✔ Meets benchmark | ✔ Higher benchmark | ✔ High benchmark | ✔ Top benchmark |
| Teacher Credential (min CDA) | — | — | ✔ Required | ✔ Required | ✔ Required |
| Director Education (min AS) | — | — | — | ✔ Required | ✔ Required (BS+) |
| Written Curriculum (GELDS-aligned) | — | — | ✔ Required | ✔ Required | ✔ Required |
| Annual Professional Development | Basic | 10 hrs+ | 15 hrs+ | IPDPs for all staff | Highest requirement |
| Family Engagement Policy | — | Basic | ✔ Formal policy | ✔ Strong partnership | ✔ Comprehensive |
| Child Assessment Data Use | — | — | Emerging | ✔ Used for instruction | ✔ Individualized learning |
| NAEYC Accreditation Eligible | — | — | — | Possible | ✔ Many hold it |
| CAPS Subsidy Eligible | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes |
How DECAL Measures Quality
Georgia uses research-validated tools — not just paperwork — to assign star ratings.
Environment Rating Scales (ERS)
The gold-standard classroom observation tools used globally. Trained raters observe and score each classroom across dozens of quality indicators including space, materials, interactions, and program structure.
Documentation Review
Staff credentials, training records, curriculum materials, child assessment records, and family engagement plans are reviewed against specific criteria at each star level.
On-Site Assessment
Trained DECAL assessors visit the facility unannounced or by appointment. They observe teacher–child interactions, classroom layout, daily routines, and safety practices firsthand.
Renewal & Monitoring
Ratings are not permanent. Providers must renew their rating on a set cycle, and complaints can trigger reassessment. A provider that declines in quality can lose stars, creating real accountability.
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