Which quality activities count toward the quality set-aside?

Reauthorization made changes to require that States use the quality set-aside to fund at least one of the following 10 quality activities:

1. Supporting the training and professional development of the child care workforce;
2. Improving on the development or implementation of early learning and development guidelines;
3. Developing, implementing, or enhancing a tiered quality rating system for child care providers and services;
4. Improving the supply and quality of child care programs and services for infants and toddlers;
5. Establishing or expanding a Statewide system of child care resource and referral services;
6. Supporting compliance with State requirements for licensing, inspection, monitoring, training, and health and safety;
7. Evaluating the quality of child care programs in the State, including evaluating how programs positively impact children;
8. Supporting child care providers in the voluntary pursuit of accreditation;
9. Supporting the development or adoption of high-quality program standards related to health, mental health, nutrition, physical activity, and physical development; and
10. Other activities to improve the quality of child care services as long as outcome measures relating to improved provider preparedness, child safety, child well-being, or kindergarten-entry are possible.

States also are required to report the measures used to evaluate progress in improving the quality of child care programs and services.

(Reference: Section 658G(b) and (d))