QUALITYstarsNY

09/16/2026

We hope everyone has been having an excellent first few days/weeks of the 2026-2027 school year. We're proud of the educators and students who may be adjusting to new environments. Take a look at how one of our participating programs supports their children in the kindergarten transition process. ⬇

By Rachel Zielinski, QUALITYstarsNY Quality Improvement Specialist, Finger Lakes Kindergarten transitions can be especially difficult for children, as moving from a familiar setting to a new, often larger setting can bring on many emotions and feelings of uncertainty. Partnering with the local schoo...

09/10/2026

Mercedes Mulholland, the owner of Xiomara’s Group Family Daycare, recently welcomed NYC Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani into her home-based program for a conversation about the importance of family child care providers.

"I’m grateful to Mayor Mamdani for coming to my place of work, for understanding family based educators like me deserve respect and recognition. For the sake of the workforce and the families we serve, we look forward to working together to get providers the pay we need to keep our doors open.” - Mercedes Mulholland

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani recently visited and conversed with home-based providers, including Mercedes Mulholland, the owner of Xiomara's Group Family Daycare and a QUALITYstarsNY participant. Mercedes was aware of Mayor Mamdani's conversation pertaining to universal child care and that he....

09/09/2026

This summer, the CUNY School of Professional Studies celebrated the first-ever graduating class of the School’s Spanish-language Child Development Associate (CDA) cohort. The CDA certificate supports preschool teachers, childcare workers, and others pursuing careers in early childhood education. Within the graduating cohort, we are especially excited to celebrate nine graduates from QUALITYstarsNY participating programs, some of whom were recipients of the QUALITYstarsNY Academic Scholarship!

In June, the CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) celebrated the first-ever graduating class of the School’s Spanish-language Child Development Associate (CDA) cohort. The CDA certificate supports preschool teachers, childcare workers, and others pursuing careers in early childhood educa...

09/03/2026

A new school year is here!

We are wishing the best to the educators, leaders, and students who are entering a fresh start with new opportunities to learn and grow together. 💙💛

08/27/2026

Congratulations to Yohaina Martinez and Gaby Paulino-Pena, who were honored at The National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) Annual Conference for graduating from the Leaders Shaping Leaders Academy. The Academy is a year-long series of professional development sessions that cultivates future leaders by pairing them with peer mentors, who share strategies and insights regarding family child care leadership. These conversations are immediately applicable in their day-to-day work and create a network of fellow leaders and connections in the field.

QUALITYstarsNY interviewed Yohaina and Gaby about their experience in Leaders Shaping Leaders:

Yohaina Martinez and Gaby Paulino-Pena were honored at the 2026 National Association for Family Child Care Annual Conference for graduating from the NAFCC Leaders Shaping Leaders Academy. This Academy is a year-long series of professional development sessions intended to cultivate future leaders by....

08/20/2026

QUALITYstarsNY is hiring! Learn more about our open positions and apply: https://qualitystarsny.org/join-our-team/

08/13/2026

Pallavi Gupta is QUALITYstarsNY's new rating specialist!

Pallavi has worked in the field of education for more than 20 years, beginning her career in a Head Start program and advancing to the role of education director before serving on its Board of Directors. She holds a New York State permanent teaching certification and a certificate in Cognitive Diversity and Twice Exceptionality. Throughout her career, she has also served as a homeschool resource specialist and parent trainer for local school parent associations. She is excited to bring her experience and passion for supporting children, families, and educators to QUALITYstarsNY. In her free time, she enjoys writing, exploring personal growth, and experimenting in the kitchen.

Welcome, Pallavi!

08/11/2026

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) has been assisting early childhood educators financially for years, as they commit to prioritizing health and balance in children's meals. Dion Reid, a family child care provider in Rensselaer, NY, has been incorporating CACFP in her meal planning for over a decade. Read her story:

Dion Reid, a family child care provider in Rensselaer, NY has been participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) for over 10 years. Her long-term participation in CACFP reflects her dedication to leveraging available resources to provide children with the best care possible, namely....

08/05/2026

Meet Beth Garcia, the newest addition to the Mohawk Valley team of Quality Improvement Specialists!

Beth worked as an Infant/Toddler and Early Education Specialist at her local Child Care Council. Prior to her time at Child Care Council, Beth served as the Owner/Operator/Executive Director of two New York City-based child care programs for over 25 years. She earned a master’s degree in early childhood education from New York University, including a specialty in Infant and Toddlers, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida. Beth is a licensed New York State teacher in Early Childhood and Elementary Education, a credentialed Parenting Educator, as well as an Early Childhood T-TAP trainer. Beth is a dedicated early childhood professional with a passion for supporting early childhood programs and helping raise strong families.

07/29/2026

Last weekend, Quality Improvement Specialists Kathy Moss and Julie Wolfe attended Child Care Resources of Rockland, Inc.'s Resource Fair. Among the attendees were our participants Pam Smith, the Assistant Director of Campus Fun and Learn, and Quicy Frazier, the owner and director of Tots to Teens. We were happy to contribute a raffle basket for the event!