Rating Information

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Updates on Rating – July 2023

An updated Star Rating process is now available for Head Start programs, in addition to rating processes for Center-based, In-district DOE, NAEYC-accredited and Family Childcare (FCC) programs.

Ratings eligibility and processes vary by program type. Click below for more information.

Official ratings will resume March 8, 2023. Provisional ratings will no longer be available at that time.
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)
Tech Kits are available at each Technical Assistance Centers for programs without access to the technology needed to complete PROP. Contact your Technical Assistance Specialist for more information.

Official ratings will resume March 8, 2023. Provisional ratings will no longer be available at that time. 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.
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 In-district DOE programs
Review the Documentation Review Protocol for In-district DOE Programs – December 2, 2022 (PDF)
Tech Kits are available at each Technical Assistance Centers for programs without access to the technology needed to complete PROP. Contact your Technical Assistance Specialist for more information.

Official ratings resumed on February 1, 2023. Provisional ratings are no longer available.
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 FCCs.
Review the Required Documentation for Rating – FCCs – April, 25, 2022 (PDF)
Las Calificaciones oficiales reanudaron el 1ero de febrero del 2023. Las Calificaciones provisionales ya no están disponibles.
Un proceso simplificado ya está disponible para programas elegibles. Revise el Protocolo para la recalificación simplificada para Todos los programas para más información.
Encuentre más información sobre el proceso de calificación para FCCs.
Revise la Documentación Requerida para Calificación – FCCs – 10 de mayo, 2022 (PDF)

Official ratings will resume March 8, 2023. Provisional ratings will no longer be available at that time.
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 – December 2, 2022 (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.

Ratings for Head Start programs are now available.
Find more information about the rating process for Head Start programs.
Review the Documentation Review Protocol for Head Start Programs – July 17, 2023 (PDF).
Note: Head Start programs must submit the following to Grow NJ Kids Rating:
- Most recent (within last five years) 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 observation 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.