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Empowering Early Educators to Inspire Children

Announcement:  

Portfolios must be received by June 30, 2026. 

Spark is being redesigned to better support child care programs, and the portfolio-based rating system will be discontinued.

The Quality Improvement Cycle is already in place and will continue as the ongoing participation for child care programs in Spark. This provides opportunities for reflection, growth, and recognition, as well as increased access to annual funding to support quality improvement for your child care program efforts.

What is Spark?

Spark is Oregon’s Quality Recognition and Improvement System (QRIS). It is a voluntary program that helps providers strengthen their practices, build on what’s working, and celebrate their progress.

Nurturing, responsive relationships between children and educators

Environments that engage and meet the needs of every child

Learning experiences that promote children’s growth and development

Meaningful partnerships between families and early learning professionals

PROVIDING CONTINOUS QUALITY SUPPORT

Spark Participating Programs

Spark participating programs have voluntarily chosen to engage in a process of continuous quality improvement. Some programs have a 3, 4, or 5-star rating, which indicates they have completed a portfolio demonstrating they meet established standards. Other programs may have a C2Q designation, which means they are either still in the process of completing a portfolio or have chosen to participate in a 12-month Quality Improvement Cycle, setting individualized goals that are meaningful to their program and support ongoing improvements in quality.

If you would like to search for a Spark Participating program, enter the program name, county or zip code below to begin your search!

Who Does Spark Support?

CHILDREN

  • By recognizing the importance of the early years in shaping a child’s growth and development

  • By supporting environments that nurture curiosity, learning, and strong relationships

Go to Families page

FAMILIES

  • By helping families identify and choose early learning programs that best meet their children’s needs

  • By recognizing that great care and learning experiences can happen in many different settings

Go to Early Educators page

EARLY EDUCATORS

  • By providing guidance, resources, and tools to strengthen early learning programs

  • By offering support and incentives for ongoing professional growth and program improvement

See What Others Say About Spark

I learned that we can take care of children, or we can take care of children professionally. Doing just that makes a big difference in their lives. 

Ermila Alegria, Early Educator

Getting together with other providers has been really important. Providers have come together rather than be in competition with each other.  

Carolyn Hindman, Early Educator

My relationship with the parents and children of the families I serve has greatly changed. Today we work together for the good of the child.  

Aida Collart, Early Educator

I have developed great friendships with other providers who are doing this too. The networks and the kinships have re-energized me.  

Julie Lutter, Early Educator

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