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Welcome to Grow NJ Kids Rating at CREEHS!
Please note: Starting October 1, 2025, all center-based program types may submit for rating using the 2025 Revised Grow NJ Kids Standards. Programs may also submit for rating using the original, 2015 GNJK Standards until January 31, 2026. As of February 1, 2026, all center-based programs must submit for their Grow NJ Kids Rating using the 2025 Revised Standards, and the 2015 GNJK Standards will be retired.
The information included below is for programs that intend to submit for rating using the 2015 GNJK Standards. If your program intends to submit for rating using the 2025 Revised Grow NJ Kids Standards, review the 2025 GNJK Standards – Rating Information, Documentation and Training Requirements for Center-based Programs.
For more information on Grow NJ Kids ratings, please click on the applicable program type below.
Ratings eligibility and processes vary by program type.
Center-based programs
- A streamlined re-rating process is now available for eligible programs. Review the Streamlined Re-rating Protocol for All Programs for more information.
- Find more information about the rating process for center-based programs.
- Review the Documentation Review Protocol for Center-based Programs – December 2, 2022 (PDF)
In-district DOE programs
- An in-district DOE program is a program that does not have a childcare license and is located within a district building. If the program is a DOE-contracted center, refer to center-based programs above.
- Curriculum Training: All program staff, including administrators, must have received the hours of formal curriculum training required for the star rating sought by the program. Formal curriculum training must come from GNJK training services, directly from the developer, or a trainer with a current train-the-trainer certificate.
- Self-contained Classrooms: After rating submission, your program will be assigned to a Quality Rating Coordinator (QRC). Please notify your QRC if your in-district DOE program includes self-contained classrooms. Note: Self-contained classrooms will be included in the random selection of classrooms observed for rating. However, self-contained classroom scores are not currently included in the program’s average scores.
- A streamlined re-rating process is now available for eligible programs. Review the Streamlined Re-rating Protocol for All Programs for more information.
- Review the Documentation Review Protocol for In-district DOE Programs – December 2, 2022 (PDF)
- Curriculum Training: All program staff, including administrators, must have received the hours of formal curriculum training required for the star rating sought by the program. Formal curriculum training must come from GNJK training services, directly from the developer, or a trainer with a current train-the-trainer certificate.
NAEYC-accredited programs
- A streamlined re-rating process is now available for eligible programs. Review the Streamlined Re-rating Protocol for All Programs for more information.
- Find more information about the rating process for NAEYC-accredited programs.
- Review the Documentation Review Protocol for NAEYC-accredited Programs – October 25, 2024 (PDF)Note: NAEYC-accredited programs must submit the following to Grow NJ Kids Rating:
– Copy of current NAEYC Accreditation Certificate
– Copy of most recent Accreditation Decision Report
– Copy of completed NAEYC Annual Reports for years 1-3 as appropriate - Grow NJ Kids standards aligned to the NAEYC standards listed as “unmet” on the program’s Accreditation Decision Report, or found on the Areas for Ongoing Improvement section of the Accreditation Decision Report are not waived. Based on the findings from the Accreditation Decision Report and the completed NAEYC Annual Reports for years 1-3 by Grow NJ Kids Rating, additional documentation may be required to demonstrate evidence of meeting Grow NJ Kids standards and meeting points requirements for the requested Star Rating.
- The Quality Rating Coordinator will review the GNJK standards aligned to the NAEYC standards from the year the program received accreditation documentation when determining which GNJK standards are waived, unless the program submits documentation indicating otherwise.
Head Start programs
- Find more information about the rating process for Head Start programs.
- Review the Documentation Review Protocol for Head Start Programs – September 19, 2024 (PDF).
- Note: Head Start programs must submit the following to Grow NJ Kids Rating:
- Most recent Office of Head Start (OHS) Monitoring Reviews (Head Start Focus Area One and Focus Area Two Reports; any follow-up reports with corrections to Areas of Noncompliance or Deficiencies; and any additional reviews by OHS)
- Most recent CLASS in-person or virtual observation OHS report with scores that meet the thresholds outlined on GNJK Rating documents (Head Start programs with preschool classrooms that are seeking a Star 4 only)
- GNJK Standards aligned to Head Start items identified on OHS Monitoring Review reports as Areas of Noncompliance or Deficiencies are not waived, and to receive points for these GNJK Standards, the program must submit documentation evidence for verification. Head Start items not listed as non-compliant or deficiencies on OHS Monitoring Reviews are assumed to have been completed by the program and the aligned GNJK Standard(s) is waived.
- Waived standards apply to Head Start/Early Head Start classrooms only; blended programs (programs with classrooms onsite that are not funded by Head Start) must submit documentation for those classrooms to demonstrate evidence of meeting GNJK Standards.
- Head Start reports and NAEYC-accreditation certificates/reports must be submitted for Head Start programs that are also NAEYC-accredited.