About Us

  • Mission

    The mission of QSLA is to align and maximize resources to build one countywide quality improvement system that nurtures the whole child, strengthens families, and elevates excellence in early learning programs.

  • Vision

    The vision of QSLA is that all children in Los Angeles County benefit from high-quality early learning programs to thrive in school and life.

Values

  • Quality

  • Equity

  • Relationships

  • Continuous Improvement

  • Collaboration

  • Accountability

What is Quality Start LA?

Quality Start Los Angeles (QSLA) is Los Angeles’ county-wide Quality Improvement System (QIS) designed to empower early learning providers to build upon and improve the quality of care they provide to children ages birth to five.

We do this by supporting those working in Los Angeles County’s mixed-delivery early learning system, including licensed child care centers, family child care homes, and family, friend, and neighbor care providers, through professional development, specialized trainings (virtual and in-person), individualized program supports, and access to cutting edge resources and funding opportunities. By partnering with providers, we are coming together to ensure all children receive a quality start in life.

Our partnership with families takes a similar approach, providing them with tools and resources to understand the elements of a quality program for their child, how to be involved in their child’s early learning journey, and how to select a program that is right for them. Families can search for participating early learning locations in their area and view details of their QSLA participation, which provides a snapshot of the program.

Los Angeles is not alone in this movement, as this program is a part of something greater.

Quality Start Los Angeles is a part of a larger state and national movement; in California, the Quality Improvement System is called Quality Counts California (QCC), with Los Angeles County as one of 58 participating counties. As of 2019, 49 states and the District of Columbia have either implemented or are planning to implement a quality improvement system.

Background

In 2012, Los Angeles County began QIS implementation as part of an opportunity to expand high-quality early learning opportunities for
children: California’s Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge (RTT-ELC).

Currently, Quality Start LA is led by a group of six early learning agencies:

  • Los Angeles County Office of Education
  • First 5 LA
  • Child Care Alliance of Los Angeles
  • Office for the Advancement of Early Care and Education.
  • PEACH
  • Child Care Planning Committee

QSLA is funded by local and state dollars, in partnership with Quality Counts California (QCC). Quality Counts California is a collaboration between First 5 California, the California Department of Education, Early Learning and Care Division, and the California Department of Social Services. QCC provides funding and guidance to local and regional agencies implementing a QIS across the state of California.