Level 1
1.A.1
Administrator attends "PAS Basics" training.
Yes |
No
How to document completion of this requirement
Document attendance at PAS Basics by attaching a copy of your certificate to your application OR by authorizing the Better Beginnings Unit to access your TAPP transcript.
Release For Access to Training Transcript
PAS Basics is a 4-clock hour workshop for administrators that introduces the Program Administration Scale (PAS).
Find more information in the Better Beginnings Guide , page 12.
Register for PAS Basics
How to document completion of this requirement
Document attendance at PAS Basics by attaching a copy of your certificate to your application OR by authorizing the Better Beginnings Unit to access your TAPP transcript.
Release For Access to Training Transcript
1.B.1
Administrator and teaching staff are members of the TAPP Registry and/or the ADE Registry.
Yes |
No
How to document completion of this requirement
Document registry membership by entering membership numbers on the Annual Staff Record Form (Form C) in the Application Kit.
Better Beginnings Application Kit
1.B.2
Administrator meets requirements for TAPP Foundation 3 or higher, including 21 clock hours of training in program planning/management and/or leadership.
Yes |
No
How to document completion of this requirement
Document TAPP level by authorizing the Better Beginnings Unit to access your TAPP transcript and/or by attaching a copy of your ADE registry transcript.
Release For Access to Training Transcript
1.B.3
All staff meet requirements for TAPP Foundation 1 or higher.
Yes |
No
How to document completion of this requirement
Document TAPP level by authorizing the Better Beginnings Unit to access your TAPP transcript and/or by attaching a copy of your ADE registry transcript.
Release For Access to Training Transcript
1.B.4
Administrator completes an ERS training.
Yes |
No
How to document completion of this requirement
Document attendance at an ERS training by attaching a copy of your certificate or your ADE transcript, OR by authorizing the Better Beginnings Unit to access your TAPP transcript.
Release For Access to Training Transcript
Environment rating scale (ERS) training and Youth Program Quality Assessment (YPQA) training introduce participants to the environment rating tools.
Find more information in the Better Beginnings Guide , page 16.
Register for an ERS or YPQA training .
How to document completion of this requirement
Document attendance at an ERS training by attaching a copy of your certificate or your ADE transcript, OR by authorizing the Better Beginnings Unit to access your TAPP transcript.
Release For Access to Training Transcript
1.B.5
Administrator completes training on developmentally appropriate physical activities for children.
Yes |
No
How to document completion of this requirement
Document attendance at a training on developmentally appropriate physical activity by attaching a copy of your certificate or your ADE transcript to your application OR by authorizing the Better Beginnings Unit to access your TAPP transcript.
Release For Access to Training Transcript
1.C.1
A developmentally appropriate daily program schedule is posted in each classroom/program area.
Yes |
No
How to document completion of this requirement
Attach to your Better Beginnings application one copy of the daily schedule for each age group served.
Better Beginnings Written Daily Plans, Optional Form D
1.C.2
Staff develop and implement written daily plans for each group.
Yes |
No
How to document completion of this requirement
Attach to your Better Beginnings application a sample of written daily plans for each age group served. Plans must be for two consecutive weeks for each age group.
Better Beginnings Written Daily Plans, Optional Form D
1.D.1
Facility completes a self-evaluation using applicable approved environment rating tools (ERS or YPQA).
Yes |
No
1.E.1
Facility documents distribution of ARKids First information to families of uninsured children.
Yes |
No
1.E.2
Facility shares with families information on child development and on children's health.
Yes |
No
1.E.3
Any medical and educational care plans involving a child are written and on file, and implementation is documented.
Yes |
No
Level 2
2.A.1
A program review is completed by a certified PAS assessor.
Yes |
No
How to document completion of this requirement
No documentation required. Verification of your Better Beginnings program review will be submitted to the Better Beginnings Unit.
2.A.2
Administrator reviews the Strengthening Families website, completes webinar or completes training in the Strengthening Families Initiative.
Yes |
No
How to document completion of this requirement
In Your Program Portfolio: Include evidence of 1) reviewing the Strengthening Families Web site, or 2) viewing the Webinar, or 3) attending training on Strengthening Families.
Strengthening Families is a national initiative that seeks to reduce the incidence of child abuse.
Find more information in the Better Beginnings Guide, page 13 .
How to document completion of this requirement
In Your Program Portfolio: Include evidence of 1) reviewing the Strengthening Families Web site, or 2) viewing the Webinar, or 3) attending training on Strengthening Families.
2.B.1
Administrator and teaching staff maintain membership in the TAPP Registry and/or ADE Registry.
Yes |
No
How to document completion of this requirement
Document membership in the TAPP Registry or ADE registry by entering membership numbers on Form C, Annual Staff Record Form.
Better Beginnings Annual Staff Record Form
2.B.2
Administrator meets requirements for TAPP Intermediate 1 or higher, including 30 clock hours of training in program planning/management and/or leadership.
Yes |
No
How to document completion of this requirement
Document TAPP level by authorizing the Better Beginnings Unit to access your TAPP transcript and/or by attaching a copy of your ADE registry transcript.
Release For Access to Training Transcript
2.B.3
Within the first year of employment all staff meet requirements for TAPP Foundation 1 or higher and at least 50% of teaching staff meet requirements for TAPP Foundation 2 or higher.
Yes |
No
How to document completion of this requirement
Document TAPP level by authorizing the Better Beginnings Unit to access your TAPP transcript and/or by attaching a copy of your ADE registry transcript.
Release For Access to Training Transcript
2.B.4
All administrators and teaching staff participate annually in 20 clock hours of approved professional development; for administrators, at least 3 clock hours must be in program planning/management and/or leadership.
Yes |
No
How to document completion of this requirement
Document professional development by attaching copies of certificates and/or ADE transcript to your application OR by authorizing the Better Beginnings Unit to access staff TAPP transcripts.
Release For Access to Training Transcript
This requirement describes the professional development that is needed every year for all administrators and teaching staff.
Find more information in the Better Beginnings Guide , pages 16-17.
Register for Training
How to document completion of this requirement
Document professional development by attaching copies of certificates and/or ADE transcript to your application OR by authorizing the Better Beginnings Unit to access staff TAPP transcripts.
Release For Access to Training Transcript
2.B.5
At least 50% of teaching staff complete "Framework Basics" training; school age staff should complete "Developmental Assets Training."
Yes |
No
How to document completion of this requirement
Document attendance by attaching copies of certificates to your application OR by authorizing the Better Beginnings Unit to access staff TAPP transcript.
Release For Access to Training Transcript
Three trainings are available, based on the ages of the children/youth with whom staff are working. 1) Framework Basics--Infants and Toddlers; 2) Framework Basics--Preschool; and 3) Developmental Assets (for school-age).
Find more information in the Better Beginnings Guide , pages 16-17.
Register for Training
How to document completion of this requirement
Document attendance by attaching copies of certificates to your application OR by authorizing the Better Beginnings Unit to access staff TAPP transcript.
Release For Access to Training Transcript
2.B.6
All administrative staff and 50% of teaching staff complete an ERS training; if facility is using YPQA school age staff should complete YPQA training.
Yes |
No
How to document completion of this requirement
Document attendance by attaching copies of certificates to your application OR by authorizing the Better Beginnings Unit to access staff TAPP transcript.
Release For Access to Training Transcript
Environment rating scale (ERS) training and Youth Program Quality Assessment (YPQA) training introduce participants to the environment rating tools.
Find more information in the Better Beginnings Guide , pages 16-17.
Register for Training
How to document completion of this requirement
Document attendance by attaching copies of certificates to your application OR by authorizing the Better Beginnings Unit to access staff TAPP transcript.
Release For Access to Training Transcript
2.B.7
Administrator and kitchen manager (if applicable) participate annually in at least 2 clock hours of training on nutrition for children.
Yes |
No
How to document completion of this requirement
Document attendance by attaching copies of certificates and/or ADE transcript to your application OR by authorizing the Better Beginnings Unit to access staff TAPP transcript.
Release For Access to Training Transcript
2.C.1
All classrooms/program spaces have a minimum of two (2) clearly defined interest centers.
Yes |
No
How to document completion of this requirement
This requirement will be observed during the Better Beginnings program review.
Interest centers may also be called learning centers. An interest center contains materials for certain types of play and an appropriate space for such play.
Find more information in the Better Beginnings Guide , pages 20-21.
How to document completion of this requirement
This requirement will be observed during the Better Beginnings program review.
2.C.2
Written daily plans for each group include all areas of development.
Yes |
No
2.C.3
Staff plan and implement daily developmentally appropriate physical activities for all children.
Yes |
No
Find more information about written daily plans in the Better Beginnings Guide , pages 19-20.
Find more information about developmentally appropriate physical activities in the Better Beginnings Guide , page 28.
How to document completion of this requirement
This requirement will be verified by reviewing the daily activity plans attached to your Better Beginnings application.
2.D.1
Facility scores an average of 3.00 or higher on the ERS for each classroom reviewed; classrooms reviewed with YPQA/YYPQA must score an average of 3.00 or higher.
Yes |
No
How to document completion of this requirement
No documentation required. Verification of your environmental assessment will be submitted to the Better Beginnings Unit.
An environmental assessment will be scheduled after your Better Beginnings application has been received and reviewed.
Find more information in the Better Beginnings Guide , pages 7 and 24.
Request Technical Assistance on the environment rating scales and/or YPQA.
How to document completion of this requirement
No documentation required. Verification of your environmental assessment will be submitted to the Better Beginnings Unit.
2.E.1
Facility shares with families information regarding medical homes for children.
Yes |
No
How to document completion of this requirement
For Your Program Portfolio: Include evidence that information on medical homes for children has been shared with families in the past 12 months.
A medical home is a doctor children child go to for check-ups or when they get sick. This doctor is called a "primary care physician" or PCP.
Find more information in the Better Beginnings Guide , page 27.
Download a brochure for parents about a medical home for children.
How to document completion of this requirement
For Your Program Portfolio: Include evidence that information on medical homes for children has been shared with families in the past 12 months.
2.E.2
Facility shares with families information regarding stages of development for children.
Yes |
No
How to document completion of this requirement
For Your Program Portfolio: Include evidence that information on stages of development has been shared with families in the past 12 months AND include evidence of how it was shared.
We can help families understand their children's development by providing information about stages of development.
Find more information in the Better Beginnings Guide , page 27.
How to document completion of this requirement
For Your Program Portfolio: Include evidence that information on stages of development has been shared with families in the past 12 months AND include evidence of how it was shared.
Level 3
3.A.1
The facility scores an average of 4.00 or higher on PAS items 1-21 (items 5 and 6 scored, but not included in average).
Yes |
No
How to document completion of this requirement
No documentation required. Verification of your Better Beginnings program review will be submitted to the Better Beginnings Unit.
A Better Beginnings program review and PAS assessment will be scheduled after your Better Beginnings application has been received and reviewed.
Find out more about the program review and PAS assessment in the Better Beginnings Guide , pages 7-8.
Request Technical Assistance on the Program Administration Scale (PAS)
How to document completion of this requirement
No documentation required. Verification of your Better Beginnings program review will be submitted to the Better Beginnings Unit.
3.A.2
Administrator completes Strengthening Families online self-assessment for 3 or more Strategies.
Yes |
No
How to document completion of this requirement
For Your Program Portfolio: Include a printout of your Strengthening Families Action Plan for 3 or more Strategies.
3.A.3
Facility develops a Strengthening Families action plan and implements at least 1 action step.
Yes |
No
How to document completion of this requirement
For Your Program Portfolio: Include evidence of implementation of at least one Strengthening Families action step.
3.B.1
Administrator meets requirements for TAPP Intermediate 1 or higher, including 45 clock hours of training in program planning/management and/or leadership.
Yes |
No
How to document completion of this requirement
Document TAPP level by authorizing the Better Beginnings Unit to access your TAPP transcript and/or by attaching a copy of your ADE registry transcript.
Release For Access to Training Transcript
3.B.2
Within the first year of employment all staff meet requirements for TAPP Foundation 1 or higher and at least 50% of teaching staff meet requirements for TAPP Foundation 3 or higher.
Yes |
No
How to document completion of this requirement
Document TAPP level by authorizing the Better Beginnings Unit to access your TAPP transcript and/or by attaching a copy of your ADE registry transcript.
Release For Access to Training Transcript
3.B.3
All administrators and teaching staff participate annually in 25 clock hours of approved professional development; for administrators, at least 4 clock hours must be in program planning/management and/or leadership.
Yes |
No
How to document completion of this requirement
Document professional development by attaching copies of certificates and/or ADE transcript to your application OR by authorizing the Better Beginnings Unit to access staff TAPP transcripts.
Release For Access to Training Transcript
This requirement describes the professional development that is needed every year for all administrators and teaching staff.
Find more information in the Better Beginnings Guide , pages 16-17.
Register for Training
How to document completion of this requirement
Document professional development by attaching copies of certificates and/or ADE transcript to your application OR by authorizing the Better Beginnings Unit to access staff TAPP transcripts.
Release For Access to Training Transcript
3.C.1
All classrooms/program spaces have a minimum of three (3) clearly defined interest centers.
Yes |
No
How to document completion of this requirement
This requirement will be observed during the Better Beginnings program review.
Interest centers may also be called learning centers. An interest center contains materials for certain types of play and an appropriate space for such play.
Find more information in the Better Beginnings Guide , pages 20-21.
How to document completion of this requirement
This requirement will be observed during the Better Beginnings program review.
3.C.2
Staff maintain a portfolio for each child.
Yes |
No
How to document completion of this requirement
Children's portfolios will be observed during your Better Beginnings program review.
A portfolio is organized documentation of a child's growth and learning over a period time.
Find more information in the Better Beginnings Guide , pages 21-22.
How to document completion of this requirement
Children's portfolios will be observed during your Better Beginnings program review.
3.C.3
Facility develops a current written curriculum plan and daily plans that include learning goals for children.
Yes |
No
How to document completion of this requirement
Daily plans that include learning goals for children will be verified by reviewing the daily activity plans attached to your Better Beginnings application. For Your Program Portfolio: Include your written curriculum plan.
Better Beginnings Written Daily Plans, Optional Form D
Find more information in the Better Beginnings Guide , pages 19-20 and 22.
Sample Curriculum Plan
Curriculum Plan Template
How to document completion of this requirement
Daily plans that include learning goals for children will be verified by reviewing the daily activity plans attached to your Better Beginnings application. For Your Program Portfolio: Include your written curriculum plan.
3.D.1
Facility scores an average of 4.00 or higher on the ERS for each classroom reviewed; classrooms reviewed with YPQA/YYPQA must score an average of 3.75 or higher.
Yes |
No
How to document completion of this requirement
No documentation required. Verification of your environmental assessment will be submitted to the Better Beginnings Unit.
An environmental assessment will be scheduled after your Better Beginnings application has been received and reviewed.
Find more information in the Better Beginnings Guide , pages 7 and 24.
Request Technical Assistance on the environment rating scales and/or YPQA.
How to document completion of this requirement
No documentation required. Verification of your environmental assessment will be submitted to the Better Beginnings Unit.
3.E.1
Facility shares with families information on nutrition and physical activity for children.
Yes |
No
How to document completion of this requirement
For Your Program Portfolio: Include samples of information shared with families in the past 12 months.