What is FOCUS and how do I participate?

FOCUS is New Mexico’s tiered quality rating and improvement system (TQRIS). QRIS is a system for assessing, improving, and communicating the level of quality in early childhood education and care settings. The TQRIS assesses and assigns quality ratings, or star-levels, to child care programs. These assessments are based on essential elements of quality, including teacher/student ratios, quality interactions, professional qualifications and training, child participation, health promotion and developmental screening, classroom planning, and continuous quality improvement.

The FOCUS program and verification process are free to any licensed early childhood family child care home, child care center, or out-of-school time program. By participating in FOCUS and increasing your program’s level of quality, your program can receive a higher subsidy reimbursement rate and other benefits, including access to specialized training, professional development, technical assistance, and networking opportunities among other providers.

ECECD has resources available online to support you if you choose to participate. Please visit FOCUS Tiered Quality Rating and Improvement System | Early Childhood Education & Care Department.