Step Up To Quality is a voluntary Three-Star Quality Rating System that recognizes and promotes early care and education programs that meet quality benchmarks over and above minimum health and safety licensing standards. With this program, Ohio joins Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and the District of Columbia in implementing quality rating systems. A complete listing of states and a description of the systems is available at www.nccic.org under the topic of "tiered quality rating systems".

The steps are based on national research identifying the key benchmarks that lead to improved outcomes for children. These benchmarks include low child to staff ratios, group size, accreditation, staff education, specialized training, improved workplace characteristics and early learning standards.