I've been considering joining the food program and our local Quality Counts program, but wanted some opinions on if it's worth the time/effort.
Currently, my families send a packed lunch for their kids that they start eating at morning snack and then finish at lunchtime. I'm not thrilled with what shows up in the lunchboxes and sometimes it's a struggle to get my 20mo ds to eat his food after he sees theirs, so I see the upside to providing food, but I'm thinking only if I qualify for tier 1 reimbursement. Our assigned elementary school is listed as a Community Eligibility Provision school, which means "All students at these schools automatically qualify for a free breakfast and lunch daily. Families do not have to submit the Free & Reduced Meal application." Would this qualify us for tier 1? Would my 2 sons qualify under this too or would their eligibility be based upon our income?
The Quality Counts program is our county's QIRS program and I've read multiple posts here about the headaches involved and additional requirements. However, our program lists the ERS/CLASS assessments and Quality Ratings Binder as optional. If part of the program, there are financial incentives to attending workshops (which I'm already attending) and visits every few months from the resource center. I've already met with the representative a couple of times and I get along well with her, she's friendly and helpful.
A year ago I had never even considered being licensed; I've worked 3 years legally license-exempt caring for multiple families a week, but only one at a time, until my families asked me to become licensed so I could watch them at the same time. My license was approved just last month so this is all still new to me, but I'm looking at at least 3 years with my current families so I figure I should do what I can to improve without giving myself unnecessary trouble.
Currently, my families send a packed lunch for their kids that they start eating at morning snack and then finish at lunchtime. I'm not thrilled with what shows up in the lunchboxes and sometimes it's a struggle to get my 20mo ds to eat his food after he sees theirs, so I see the upside to providing food, but I'm thinking only if I qualify for tier 1 reimbursement. Our assigned elementary school is listed as a Community Eligibility Provision school, which means "All students at these schools automatically qualify for a free breakfast and lunch daily. Families do not have to submit the Free & Reduced Meal application." Would this qualify us for tier 1? Would my 2 sons qualify under this too or would their eligibility be based upon our income?
The Quality Counts program is our county's QIRS program and I've read multiple posts here about the headaches involved and additional requirements. However, our program lists the ERS/CLASS assessments and Quality Ratings Binder as optional. If part of the program, there are financial incentives to attending workshops (which I'm already attending) and visits every few months from the resource center. I've already met with the representative a couple of times and I get along well with her, she's friendly and helpful.
A year ago I had never even considered being licensed; I've worked 3 years legally license-exempt caring for multiple families a week, but only one at a time, until my families asked me to become licensed so I could watch them at the same time. My license was approved just last month so this is all still new to me, but I'm looking at at least 3 years with my current families so I figure I should do what I can to improve without giving myself unnecessary trouble.
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