Quality Care South Dakota
The South Dakota Department of Social Services partnered with the South Dakota State University Quality Collaborative to develop and implement Quality Care South Dakota (QCSD), South Dakota’s Quality Recognition and Information System (QRIS). The purpose of QCSD is to support early childhood and school-age care programs in their continuous quality improvement efforts. High-quality early childhood and school-age care programs are essential not only to South Dakota children, but also to their families and to the communities in which they live. QCSD provides a consistent measure of quality, helping parents make informed decisions when choosing child care. Quality Care South Dakota is housed at the Child & Family Resource Network on the campus of South Dakota State University.
Our Mission
Quality Care South Dakota (QCSD) is dedicated to enhancing the quality of early childhood and school-age care by providing a comprehensive framework to evaluate and recognize childcare services. Our mission is to support state-registered and licensed childcare providers by offering clear standards, resources, guidance, and support to improve care environments for children. Through Quality Care South Dakota, we aim to foster growth, accountability, and continuous improvement, ensuring that all children receive the highest quality care. QCSD is committed to empowering parents with the information they need to make informed choices, while also supporting providers to grow professionally.
Our Values
Key values for Quality Care South Dakota for childcare:
Quality
We are committed to setting and upholding high standards of care and education, ensuring every child experiences a nurturing, safe, and enriching environment.
Collaboration
We value the partnerships between parents, caregivers, educators, and communities to collectively enhance the quality of child care services.
Child-Centered Approach
At the heart of our system is the well-being and development of children. We prioritize practices that support their emotional, cognitive, and social growth in a safe, supportive setting.
Inclusion
We strive to create an inclusive system that ensures all children have access to quality care and early learning opportunities.
Continuous Improvement
We promote a culture of ongoing development, supporting providers in their journey toward excellence and ensuring that children’s needs are met.
Integrity
We uphold the highest ethical standards in all our interactions, ensuring fairness, honesty, and respect for all stakeholders in the child care ecosystem.
The Quality Recognition and Information System pilot took place from 2022-2024.
Please view our video to learn how the pilot supported licensed child care and school-age care programs and registered family day care homes.
Partnerships
Quality Care South Dakota works closely with the South Dakota Early Childhood Enrichment System (ECE) System. South Dakota’s ECE programs offer a systematic approach to providing early childhood and school-age education professional development, technical assistance, and coaching. Services are available to all child care and school-age educators, parents and others involved in the day-to-day care of children and youth. The ECE system supports program efforts in the QCSD through coordination and collaboration with the program and QCSD Team.
Box 2218
Brookings, SD 57007
SDSU.SDQRIS@sdstate.edu
605-688-5730
Hours: 8 am – 5 pm CST, Monday -Friday