* All child care centers and family child care homes receive a license with a rating of up to "Five Stars."
* One star means the provider meets basic licensing requirements.
* 2 - 5 stars means the provider meets higher standards for better quality child care.
* A rating higher than one star is voluntary, so providers can set their own goals for what they want their programs to achieve.
* Providers will earn more points for having a high quality environment for children and for having staff with more early childhood education and experience.
* The more points a program earns, the more stars it will have on its license.