Cincinnati Preschool Program

Quality improvements:the goal of the quality improvement program is to increase the number of high quality rated preschool seats available within the cps geographic boundaries. High quality rated preschools are those that have achieved a 3, 4, or 5 star rating in the ohio step up to quality (sutq) rating system. The need for an increase in the number of available high quality rated preschool programs in cincinnati was chronicled by a rand corporation study titled options for investing in access to high quality preschool in cincinnati and published in 2016.to meet its goals the program provides services, training, materials, and advice needed for preschools to achieve a 3, 4, or 5 star sutq rating. As with tuition assistance, the program is restricted to providing assistance within the geographic areas encompassed by the cincinnati public school district.

Cost of quality:the cost of quality program is focused on improving the quality of preschool education at community providers by improving lead teacher retention and training, both of which have been shown to improve outcomes for preschool students. The program has two grants meant to benefit teachers working at community providers who are eligible for tuition assistance (teacher promise grants, tpg, and teacher advancement stipends, tas) and one grant for those working at community providers eligible for quality improvement (staff support funds, ssf). Tpg, pays a monthly stipend directly to qualifying lead preschool teachers who stay in that role at their current provider. Tas, focuses on one-time payments to lead preschool teachers who achieve certain educational milestones. Ssf provide restricted grants to community providers, the funds of which may only be used to increase wages, benefits, or training for their preschool teachers.