April 2022
QRIS: Granite Steps for Quality
Have you started exploring Granite Steps for Quality, NH's new Quality Recognition and Improvement System?

It is time to get recognized for all you do and become one of New Hampshire’s “recognized” quality programs as a Granite Steps for Quality awardee. To get started take some time to review the Granite Steps for Quality Guidebook, the GSQ application and other informational and instructional pieces included on the "Granite Steps for Quality" page.
Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities
We hope to see you at our upcoming Intro and Overview sessions, before we take a short break for the summer. Child Care Aware holds trainings from September through June, starting in July we will be preparing for our 2022-2023 training season. We urge you to plan ahead and sign up for our upcoming sessions if you need them to satisfy the Granite Steps for Quality requirements.
Learning More About Granite Steps for Quality (GSQ)
New Updates on How to Select Staff for GSQ Application from the Bureau of Child Development and Head Start Collaboration:

The GSQ online application has several places in which there are staff roster pick lists. We have discovered that many program’s staff rosters are in need of updating. While we work to update your
rosters we ask that you follow these steps in order to successfully complete your program’s GSQ Application:

  1. When presented with an option to select staff from a pick list within the GSQ application (e.g., credential selection and ERS training selection), please choose “select all”.
  2. After submitting your GSQ Application, email NHGSQ@dhhs.nh.gov a list of all currently employed staff and indicate which staff should be considered to meet the Credentialing and ERS (if applicable) requirements.
Quarterly Bonus Announcement: 3.29.2022

The Bureau of Child Development and Head Start Collaboration released an announcement on March 29th pertaining to the Quarterly Bonus Dates for Granite Steps for Quality. BCDHS understands the identified "bugs" within NHCIS have created barriers for applying for GSQ and they have taken steps to help programs that have missed the "30 day" deadline to apply. Please read the announcement for full details.
Do you have questions about Granite Steps for Quality?

Check out the GSQ Frequently Asked Questions document found on the "Granite Steps for Quality" page on NH-Connections. It is fueled by the questions coming from providers all around the state, and is updated frequently. The Bureau of Child Development and Head Start Collaboration, Child Care Aware of New Hampshire and ACROSS NH are actively collecting your questions in order to get you all the information you need.
Did you miss the QRIS: Granite Steps for Quality (GSQ) Multisite Webinar?
You can now watch the recording

Date: March 22, 2022
Time: 12:30-1:30

Please join The BCDHSC for the latest, “GSQ Webinar: Multisite Programs”. This webinar will discuss common questions from multisite programs, including but not limited to: eligible staff, pathways, credentialing, and training requirements in regards to GSQ.
Step Toward "Quality" with CCAoNH
  • Are your Program Practices committed to Quality Improvement for your children, families and staff?

  • Does your program have experience with Credentialing, Pyramid Model Practices or the Environment Rating Scales?

  • Have you heard about the current Quality Recognition and Improvement System (QRIS): Granite Steps for Quality?

With the newly adopted QRIS System, the team here at CCAoNH is prepared to help programs start taking Steps for Quality. We have created new programming, offerings and resources to help Early Childhood Programs and Family Care Providers begin aligning their practices towards the standards within the QRIS: Granite Steps for Quality.

If you'd like to explore what that may look like in your program we invite you to contact us at ccrrta@snhs.org with questions or start your process by taking our Quality Readiness Pre-Assessment Survey.
Staff Qualifications
You can find all the information to apply for your NH Early Childhood Credential on the "Credentialing" page of NH Connections.
Office Hours with the Credentialing Specialist:
Join Annmarie Censullo, NH Credentialing Specialist for virtual office hours to have your questions answered concerning the NH Early Childhood Credential Process.

Date: Tuesday, May 31, 2022
Time: 1:00-2:00 PM
If your program needs more hands-on assistance with Credentialing consider applying for our Q-Ready Staff Qualifications Initiative.
For more information about New Hampshire's Early Childhood Professional Development System, please visit the "Credentialing" page of our website. If you have questions about the Credentialing process or documents please reach out to us at ccrrta@snhs.org.
Environment Rating Scales (ERS)
ECERS-3 Notes for Clarification Update: March 2022
Last month Environment Rating Scales Institute released another version of their "Notes for Clarification" for the ECERS-3 tool. Please ensure you are using the proper items when preparing for Granite Steps for Quality.

Find this and so much more by checking out the ERSI Website.
Join us for any of our upcoming Intro and Overview of Environment Rating Scales opportunities or apply to participate in the Q-Ready Environment Rating Scales Progressive Training Program.
For more information on the ERS or how you can begin to explore this important tool check out our "Environment Rating Scales" page of our website.

If you have questions about exploring the ERS tool please reach out to us at ccrrta@snhs.org.
Pyramid Model
Reframing...How it can Help Your Relationships with Children.
The Pyramid Model Framework promotes teachers' understanding of how to better identify their hot buttons and helps them to diffuse them in a variety of ways. One way is through the reframing of thoughts when interacting with children. This helps teachers to consider what the message behind the behavior may be. For example, we may have thought something along the lines of, "He whines the entire day from drop off until the time he gets on the bus to go home".

We know that this behavior can be challenging! But it's important to remember that every action has a message behind it. When reframing one may choose to think, "He must really miss his family". An individual could then try to find ways to connect the child to their family.

To help, we've attached the "Reframing Activity" individuals may use to help reframe thinking, check it out and let us know if it's helpful.
Join us for any of our upcoming Intro and Overview of the Pyramid Model trainings or apply to participate in the Q-Ready Pyramid Model Intro and Overview Progressive Training Program.
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For more information on the Pyramid Model or how you can begin to explore this Social Emotional Learning Framework you can visit our "Social Emotional Development and Learning" page.

If you have questions about exploring the Pyramid Model Framework reach out to us at ccrrta@snhs.org.
Child Care Aware of New Hampshire is a Child Care Resource and Referral Program of Southern New Hampshire Services. The preparation of this email was financed under a Contract with the State of New Hampshire, Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Economic and Housing Stability, Bureau of Child Development and Head Start Collaboration with funds provided in part by the State of New Hampshire and the US Department of Health and Human Services.