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Rhode Island Early Childhood Agencies and Organizations
The following are organizations, government agencies, programs, and services that support high-quality early care and education in Rhode Island. Click on the organization or program’s name to access the website.
BrightStars is Rhode Island’s tiered quality rating and improvement system (QRIS). Through a star rating system, BrightStars helps early learning programs and family child care providers learn about best practices and how to apply them with the children in their care. BrightStars recognizes program quality and gives parents information to make choices about their children’s care and education.
Supports, enhances and represents family child care providers through education, professional development, quality improvement, networking and resources.
Offers high-quality training and classes to individuals interested in learning about and pursuing a career in early childhood care and education.
Housed at Rhode Island College, in collaboration with the Rhode Island Department of Education, the Institute for Early Childhood Teaching and Learning provide opportunities and pathways for individuals currently working in the field of early childhood education to complete their bachelor’s degree in one of two areas of study: Early Childhood Learning (PreK–2 certification) or Early Childhood Education Concentration Birth–5.
The Sherlock Center providers training and consultative services to the early childhood community to help all young children achieve positive development, social/emotional and learning outcomes in inclusive early care and education centers and schools.
Works to ensure the safety and well-being of the children in Rhode Island through education, public awareness and advocacy of primary prevention strategies.
The Providence Public Library offers a number of various resources to early care and education professionals, including training and workshops, business classes, and access to resources, as well as the opportunity to borrow Learning and Reading (LARK) Kits.
RIAEYC is a membership association that supports professionals in their work by promoting quality education and the healthy development of children ages birth through eight. RIAEYC is the state affiliate of NAEYC and also is the managing agency for BrightStars.
Provides federal funding to non-residential child and adult care facilities, including child care centers and family child care homes, to serve healthy meals and snacks.
Designed to help child care and early learning programs develop safe, high-quality learning environments—indoors and outdoors. Provides funding, technical assistance, resource materials, and training.
RIDE establishes standards and approves community-based preschool and state-funded pre-kindergarten programs to ensure developmentally appropriate early development and learning experiences. RIDE also manages Child Outreach and the RI Early Learning and Development Standards (RIELDS) Project.
The Child and Adult Care Food Program is a USDA federally funded program administered by the RI Department of Education. It is designed to provide nutritious meals and snacks to eligible children and adults attending qualifying day care (non-residential) facilities.
The DHS Office of Child Care manages child care licensing in Rhode Island and also manages the Child Care Assistance Program, which subsidizes child care for low-income, working families. DHS also works with other resources in Rhode Island to offer a full continuum of services for families, adults, children, elders, individuals with disabilities, and veterans.
The RI Early Childhood Education & Training Program at the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) provides academic training to address the needs of the field of early childhood education. As part of the training, participants receive college coursework, CDA support, and one-on-one mentoring that incorporates both education and training.
The Rhode Island Early Learning Council is the state’s advisory council on policies, programs, and systems that support young children’s early learning and development. Meetings are open to the public and members are appointed by the governor.
Provides education and training programs to family child care providers who participate in CCAP.
The T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Program pays a percentage of tuition and book costs to early childhood professionals who wish to pursue a degree in Early Childhood Education/Child Development.
