This state rating system was created to make it simpler for parents to find a quality early childhood program.

The Virginia Star Quality Initiative (formerly known as the QRIS) is essentially the Consumer Reports of child care. It’s a voluntary program that assesses, communicates and works to improve the level of quality in early childhood centers throughout the state.

Centers can receive ratings on a one-to-five scale. Every star a center earns is above and beyond the minimum standards for child care centers in the region. DHCDC was the first center in Hampton to be rated four stars, and holds that rating for BOTH our Lincoln Street and Mary Peake sites (which were reviewed independently). No center in the state has been rated five stars.