This letter transmits new Step Up to Quality forms. Step Up to Quality is a voluntary child care quality rating system available statewide which recognizes early care and education programs that exceed quality benchmarks above minimum health and safety licensing standards.

The following is a summary of the forms.

JFS 01555 "Emerging Star Conditions For Participation In Step Up to Quality" outlines requirements for programs participating in the Step Up to Quality program.

JFS 01556 "Request to Withdraw from Step Up To Quality" documents the request to withdraw from the Step Up to Quality program.

JFS 01557 "Quality Achievement Award Verification For Step Up to Quality" verifies data required to determine a quality achievement award for programs participating in Step Up to Quality.

These forms will appear in the Child Care Manual and will also be available on the Forms website. The electronic version of the Child Care Manual is located at: http://emanuals.jfs.ohio.gov. The manual contains all rules, forms, transmittal letters and procedure letters that the department has issued to child care providers. A current version of this manual should be utilized by staff in all child care centers and type A homes that are licensed by the Department of Job and Family Services. A current and updated copy of the manual should be accessible at all times in the center or type A home.

Forms can be located at: http://www.odjfs.state.oh.us/forms/inter.asp. The department will notify all licensed centers and type A homes when forms are changed and the date of the change. When forms are obsolete, they should no longer be used. The old version of the form should be removed and replaced with the new one. The use of current forms is necessary in order to be in compliance with child care licensing rules.

If you have questions or concerns about any of the items, please contact your licensing specialist or the Office for Children and Families Help Desk at 1-866-886-3537, option 4.

INSTRUCTIONS: The following chart identifies the material that needs to be inserted into the Child Care Manual (CCM).