E3 Institute

Excellence in Early Education

WestEd E3 Institute: Excellence in Early Education

Presented in partnership with First 5 Santa Clara County Quality Matters

The WestEd Excellence in Early Education (E3) Institute implements the Quality Matters (formerly known as QRIS) stipend program, rating process and quality improvement system for early childhood learning in Santa Clara County.

Quality Matters | a strong start for kids | Santa Clara County

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  • Stipend
    Program

    Provides financial incentives for early education program directors and teaching staff and Family Resource Center staff in Santa Clara County to pursue professional development.

  • Rating
    Process

    Uses multiple criteria to rate early learning programs in order to ensure that children in California have access to high-quality programs so that they thrive in their early learning settings and succeed in kindergarten and beyond.

  • Quality
    Improvement

    Creates opportunities for early educators and administrators from across Santa Clara County to share expertise, learn from each other through Communities of Practice, and work together on quality improvement planning.

young girl looking at viewer

The Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS)

Santa Clara County is a participating county of the Bay Area QRIS Partnership, which is focused on building a coordinated approach to QRIS in the region. The Bay Area partnership is comprised of Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz Counties.

  • 544
    early educators are engaged in professional development through the stipend program
  • 143
    early education centers and family child care homes are rated sites
  • 4907
    children enrolled in Quality Matters rated classrooms
toddler climbing in sandbox

About the WestEd E3 Institute

Along with administering the Quality Matters program for FIRST 5 Santa Clara County, the WestEd E3 Institute also collaborates with higher education institutions and promotes the California Statewide Professional Development Registry.

More about the WestEd E3 Institute