ExceleRate Illinois: Circles of Quality and What They Mean

ExceleRate Illinois is the state's quality rating and improvement system for early learning programs. Licensed child care centers, licensed family child care homes and school preschool programs can earn one of four Circles of Quality: Licensed, Bronze, Silver or Gold. Gold is the highest.

A rating can help you compare programs, but it is only one piece of the picture. Here is what each level means, how to find a program's rating, and what to ask beyond it.

The four Circles of Quality

Licensed Circle of Quality

This is the starting level. It shows the program holds a current state license and meets licensing standards, such as staff-to-child ratios, background checks, health and safety rules and staff training. Every licensed center and home in Illinois starts here.

Bronze Circle of Quality

Bronze recognizes staff qualifications and training. Program staff complete a series of ExceleRate trainings tied to the state's quality standards. It shows the program has started the formal improvement process.

Silver Circle of Quality

Silver requires a detailed self-assessment and a continuous improvement plan, checked by an independent assessor. Programs must meet benchmarks for the learning environment and teaching quality, plus selected standards for administration, qualifications and training.

Gold Circle of Quality

Gold means the program met benchmarks on all standards, validated by an independent assessor. That includes the learning environment, teaching quality, all administrative standards, group size and ratios, staff qualifications and professional development. Many public school preschool programs and some community centers hold Gold.

How programs are measured

Higher circles use classroom observation tools. For preschool rooms, a common one is the ECERS-3, an observation scale that looks at space, materials, routines, language, interactions and activities. Observers spend time in the classroom and score what they see. Programs also submit evidence on staff education, family engagement, curriculum and child screening.

ExceleRate is organized around four areas: teaching and learning, family and community engagement, leadership and management, and qualifications and continuing education.

How to look up a program's rating

1. Go to excelerateillinois.com and use the program search, or search through Illinois Cares for Kids.
2. Enter your ZIP code or town and filter by age group or type of care.
3. Open a program to see its current Circle of Quality.

Check the program's licensing record too. The rating and the license history answer different questions. See our guide to the Illinois Department of Early Childhood for how to find inspection reports.

What a rating does and does not tell you

What it tells you

• The program is licensed and in good standing.
• At Silver and Gold, an outside assessor has observed classrooms and checked records.
• The program has chosen to take part in a formal improvement process.

What it does not tell you

• Participation is voluntary. A program with only the Licensed circle may simply not have applied for higher levels. It does not mean the program is poor.
• Ratings are a snapshot. Teachers change. A rating earned years ago may not reflect the room your child will join.
• It does not cover fit. Hours, location, meals, communication style and how your child responds to the teachers matter just as much day to day.

Use the rating as a starting point, then visit. Our daycare red flags list and daycare tour questions will help you judge what you see.

ExceleRate and CCAP

Programs at the Silver and Gold levels receive a quality add-on to the payments they get through the Child Care Assistance Program. Silver programs get 10% more and Gold programs get 15% more. This does not lower your CCAP copay, but it helps higher-rated programs afford to serve CCAP families. See our guide to CCAP income limits.

ExceleRate vs. national accreditation

ExceleRate is an Illinois system. National accreditation, such as from NAEYC for centers or NAFCC for family child care homes, is a separate process with its own standards and visits. Some programs hold both. Accredited programs can use their accreditation as evidence toward higher ExceleRate levels. Neither one replaces a visit.

Frequently asked questions

What is the highest ExceleRate rating?

The Gold Circle of Quality.

Is ExceleRate required for daycares in Illinois?

No. A license is required. Moving above the Licensed circle is voluntary.

Does a Gold rating mean a program is better for my child?

It means the program met high benchmarks when it was assessed. Whether it is right for your child also depends on the teachers in that classroom, your schedule and how your child settles in.

Where do I find ExceleRate ratings?

On the ExceleRate Illinois website's program search, or through Illinois Cares for Kids.

See a classroom for yourself at Children's Land

The best way to judge any program is to spend time in it. At Children's Land, parents can watch classrooms on monitors at the entrance, and our staff meet or exceed state requirements with yearly training and background checks. Each location is open Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Find a location, read why families choose Children's Land, or contact us to book a tour.

Related reading: Licensed vs License-Exempt Child Care in Illinois.