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Find quality-rated child care

Providers & Teachers

Reach for the Stars

Enthusiasm and encouragement from teachers can make children feel like they can reach for the stars. In that same spirit, we’re introducing a new theme to help motivate and encourage you to Reach for the Stars!

So, why “Reach for the Stars?”  

Better Beginnings always has and will continue to focus on increasing quality and ensuring all children in Arkansas have access to quality care. Our star levels are indicators of quality for those searching for child care. We’re your partner on your journey to continue improving and maintaining quality. We’re here to help you reach a new star level or maintain your current level.

Keep reading to see how we can help.

Provider Tools & Resources

Learn more about provider requirements and star ratings

Curriculum & Supplements

Our research-based, age-appropriate curriculum is free for you to use in your classroom. Using this curriculum, children’s language, scientific thinking and math skills are developed. This helps create a strong foundation that will help children as they continue learning in school and life.

Learn More

Provider Buzz Newsletter

The Provider Buzz brings you monthly resources and showcases services that can help you serve the children in your care in a way that is age and developmentally appropriate. Through this newsletter, you can stay updated on what is going on in the field while taking advantage of resources that help children develop literacy, science and math skills.

Explore Previous Newsletters

Star Kit Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Better Beginnings is designed to improve the level of quality in child care and early childhood education programs across the state. Better Beginnings distinguishes the quality of each Arkansas child care facility by a star rating of 1 through 6.

The Better Beginnings staff works with child care and early childhood education providers to train their staff to build a better learning environment. Requirements include administrator and staff training, facility evaluation, curriculum and activities for strengthening families.

Better Beginnings is available to family child care homes, centers and school-age programs.  

Better Beginnings places an emphasis on preparing children for kindergarten and the bright future ahead of them. Better Beginnings provides curriculum based on the early learning and development guidelines of math, science and literacy.