News for Quality First participants.

Our approach to achieving quality is constantly evolving. This means we occasionally make updates to Quality First along the way. As a current participant, you can keep up with program-wide updates, explore helpful tools, or even rewatch meetings you may have missed—it's all here to help our participants succeed.

Rating Only Resources

Find everything you need to support your Quality First Rating Only participation, all in one place. This page includes key resources, guides, tools and required forms to help you make the most of your participation.


Understanding Rating Only

Want to learn more about Rating Only, including what it is, the benefits it offers and what to expect? Read our announcement Understanding Rating Only.


Rating Only Guide

A comprehensive overview of Quality First Rating Only, including what to expect, program policies and the supports offered throughout your participation.


Early Childhood Resource Guide

Free resources and tools are available to Arizona’s early childhood education providers. Providers are encouraged to use these resources to support their efforts to provide quality care for children and families. This digital guide includes:

  • Resources for Providers
  • Teacher Resources
  • Business and Financial Support
  • Professional Development
  • Resources for Families


Self Reflection Guides

Developed by Quality First assessors, the Self-Reflection Guides help you dive into the CLASS® and ERS guidelines and think about your own daily practices. Use the guides on your own or with a colleague.

Now available in Spanish!

Environment Rating Scale (ERS)

The ERS views child development from a global point of view, measuring a wide variety of areas that all contribute to children’s positive development in classrooms and family child care settings.

  • About the Environment Rating Scale (ERS) (English | Español)
  • Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS) Self-Reflection Guide (English | Español)
  • Infant Toddler Environment Rating Scale (ITERS) Self-Refection Guide (English | Español)
  • Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale (FCCERS) Self-Reflection Guide (English | Español)

Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS)

The Classroom Assessment Scoring System® (CLASS®) focuses on the effectiveness and quality of teacher-child interactions.


Forms

Linked below are commonly used Quality First Rating Only forms. Instructions for submittal are included at the top of the forms and in the Rating Only Guide. If you’re not sure where to submit a form, ask your coordinator or email the Quality First Team at QualityFirst@FirstThingsFirst.org.

English forms

Spanish Forms

SFY25 Rating Only Agreement SPANISH