​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ ​​​KICCS Provider Portal

All STARS now is integrated with the KICCS Provider Portal enabling providers to submit All STARS-related forms and supporting documentation through the portal. KICCS also allows providers to view All STARS correspondence from the Division of Child Care, All STARS history and Environmental Rating Scales (ERS) reports. All new applications for higher quality should be submitted through KICCS. Paper and email forms are no longer accepted.

For more information about KICCS and to view the All STARS User Guide, visit the KICCS Launch Page.

New Providers

Providers of licensed type I and type II child care centers and certified family child care homes automatically are enrolled in Kentucky All STARS at a Level 1. Programs accepting public assistance must participate in Kentucky All STARS. Programs with a preliminary license may participate only at a Level 1. New licensed type I providers wanting to apply for higher quality should contact their Child Care Aware health and safety coach. New licensed type II, and certified family child care homes wanting to apply for higher quality should contact their Family Child Care Network specialist.

Current All STARS Providers

​Providers seeking Level 3-5 quality ratings in Kentucky All STARS must participate in an environmental observation with a Cabinet-approved rater. Child Care Aware technical assistants can provide quality coaching and practice observations to licensed type I providers in preparation for a rating visit. For more information, please contact a Child Care Aware quality coach. Family Child Care Network specialists​ can provide quality coaching and practice observations for licensed type II providers and certified family child care homes. ​

Technical Assistance

Technical assistance is available to all providers for quality improvement, professional development, and health- and safety-related coaching. 

Licensed Type I providers generally work with health and safety coaches to ensure adherence to state regulations and develop quality improvement plans. Once providers meet the required standards for Kentucky All STARS, they work with a quality coach to apply for a higher quality rating. Although a provider is not required to work with the Child Care Aware technical assistance team, those who do often have greater success in the application for higher quality.

Licensed Type II providers and certified family child care homes have access to the Family Child Care Network Specialists. In-home providers are also not required to work with the Family Child Care Network, but those who do often will have a greater success in their application for higher quality.

Monetary Incentives

There are no monetary incentives for Level 1 participation. Level 2-5 licensed type I providers have access to Child Care Aware technical assistance staff, and licensed type II and certified family child care homes have access to the Family Child Care Network Specialists. Level 2-5 providers qualify for initial achievement and annual quality awards. Level 3-5 providers also qualify for subsidy enrollment awards. Monetary incentives will be granted while funding is available.​ See a chart of All STARS monetary incentives.

Applying for Higher Quality

• DCC-432 Standards of Quality Verification Checklist
  Providers submit verification of standards by completing the DCC-432 in the KICCS Provider Portal. Please contact your coach for assistance with this form. Requests for environmental rating visits are also initiated through this form. Please refer to the Standards of Quality Submission Guide for guidance on evidence documents commonly accepted for verification of standards. For questions regarding this process, please contact the KY All STARS inbox. 
  
• Standards of Quality Submission Guide
  Providers may use this guide to help compile evidence documentation for submission of the DCC-432 Standards of Quality Verification Checklist. While this guide provides useful tips to help prepare for a quality rating, we strongly encourage providers to work with a quality coach before submitting. To request a copy of the guide, please email the KY All STARS inbox.
  
• Environmental Rating Scales (ERS)
  Providers seeking a Level 3 rating or higher must participate in an environmental observation visit by a Cabinet-approved rater. Level 3 programs have no minimum score. Level 4 programs must have a minimum score of 4.0 in each classroom. Level 5 programs must have a minimum score of 5.0 in each classroom. The environmental rating scales that may be used during your rating visit include:
• Infant/Toddler (ITERS-3)
• Early Childhood (ECERS-3) 
• School-Age Care (SACERS-U)
• Family Child Care (FCCERS-3)

As of Aug. 1, 2018 the Division of Child Care rating scale for early childhood  transitioned to the ECERS-3.

To schedule a rating visit, please complete a DCC-432 Standards Verification Checklist and indicate that you would like to schedule an ERS visit. If you have questions regarding a pending rating visit, please contact the Division of Child Care​.

​​Annual Quality Review

​​Providers submit verification of adherence to the standards of quality annually in the form of written narratives on the DCC-434. This form is submitted in the KICCS Portal. No evidence documentation is required. If you need more assistance, please reach out to the KY All STARS inbox​ to request the Annual Quality Review Provider Guide. Providers may use this guide for helpful tips and writing prompts when completing the DCC-434 Annual Quality Review.

Opt Out

​Providers who do not receive any form of public funding may request to opt out of All STARS. Providers who opt out are listed as not participating in the provider directory and are not eligible for monetary or non-monetary All STARS incentives. The DCC-433 must be submitted on the KICCS Portal to opt out​​​. For assistance, please reach out to the KY All STARS inbox​.​

Appeals

If the Cabinet determines that a provider does not meet the standards for the STARS level for which the provider is certified, a provider may accept a lower rating level or may submit an appeal.

• DCC-108 Notice of Adverse Action for Child Care Providers and Early Care and Education Professionals: DCC uses this form to notify the provider of a pending negative action such as reduction of STARS level. The provider has 10 days to respond prior to negative action being taken.
• DCC-88 Child Care Service Appeal: This form accompanies the DCC-108. A provider submits this form to initiate the appeals process.

 For more information, email the Division of Child Care or phone toll free 844-209-2657.​