The Fundamental Model serves licensed Family Child Care Homes and child care centers that are not funded by the California Department of Education’s California State Preschool Program (CSPP). This is a Quality Improvement (QI) model; there is no rating or assessment as part of the Fundamental Model.

Below are some additional details about this program.  In this program, participants:

• Work with a qualified early learning coach to develop a Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) and action steps, based on their program’s needs and goals.
• Meet with their coach at least 2 times per year via phone, Zoom, or other virtual meeting space to towards their goals, ask questions and receive support.  Other support is provided, as requested,  via e-mail or phone calls, sharing of resources, etc.
• Have access to ALL QSLA resources, including any available trainings, early learning resources, community partnership benefits, family resources, website resources, etc.
• Are voluntarily enrolled in QSLA’s self-paced training series focused on the 12 ECE Competencies, “Why Quality?”
• Receive an annual $600 incentive to spend on items or resources used for improving the quality of their program.
• Are automatically re-enrolled every year.

• QSLA Social Media Guide
• QSLA Fundamental Model Overview and Roadmap
• QSLA Provider Talking Points
• QSLA Literacy Toolkit
• QSLA Literacy Bookmark (English and Spanish)

Why Quality?: A Closer Look at the ECE Competencies

As an early childhood educator, you know there are countless variables that go into operating a successful ECE program. In this self-paced course, we will help you explore and learn more about each of the 12 California ECE Competencies. Whether you are an experienced early childhood educator, or you are new to the field, this course will provide you with valuable information to guide you on your early education journey, encourage you to reflect on your practices, and help you discover how to more effectively support children and families.   Click here to access your Key Competencies from Why Quality resource!

Course Set-up:
This course is designed to be taken at your own pace, and is best if spaced out over the course of several sessions.  Each module lasting approximately 30-minutes. Upon completing each module in the Why Quality? series, you will receive one (1) professional development hour through the California ECE Workforce Registry. You can earn up to 12 professional development hours by completing the entire series.

Getting Started:

• Click this link to access the Why Quality? Training Series on QSLA Connect.
• If you are already a QSLA Connect user, log in and you’ll be taken straight to the course to get started.
• If you’re NEW to QSLA Connect:
  • Create a username and password and complete your profile.
  • You’ll be sent a verification e-mail. Click the link in the e-mail to go to the QSLA Dashboard.
  • Click on the Catalog and then click on the Why Quality? course to get started.

Use the Fundamental Interest Tool below while completing the “Why Quality” self-paced training series to help you take notes, identify key takeaways, and support your learning and implementation of the ECE Competencies.

• Fundamental Interest Tool-English
• Fundamental Interest Tool-Spanish
• Fundamental Interest Tool-Chinese

What are Peer2Peer Connections?

• Opportunities for QSLA participants to learn from one another by sharing similar knowledge and experience
• Safe, open spaces to share ideas and strategies to implement
• Access to a professional network of early childhood educators
• A support system of early learning peers and colleagues

What is the format of a Peer2Peer Connection?Peer2Peer Connections are offered in a Cafe style. This is group meeting where people come to share experiences and discuss their thoughts with one another. Cafes are different from trainings in that the early educators are the experts in the room and QSLA coaches are there only to help facilitate conversations.

The 4Cs of Peer2Peer Connections

• Connection: Opportunities to engage in fun activities for you and other early educators to get to know each other.
• Celebration: Opportunities for you to shine and share your program’s successes.
• Conversation: Opportunities to discuss topics that matter to you and hear ideas and perspectives from other early educators.
• Community: Opportunities to brainstorm ways to keep in contact with each other outside of the Peer2Peer.

Click here for 4Cs document and Peer2Peer Note-Taking form.

Have Questions? Contact your QSLA Coach for more details on the next Peer2Peer Connection.