For Programs
Supporting Quality Early Care and Learning Programs
Colorado Shines is the quality system for all of Colorado’s licensed early care and learning programs serving children from birth to 5.
Colorado Shines exists to:
- Maintain health and safety standards in child care programs
- Help early childhood professionals and programs improve the quality of their services
- Show families that a program is committed to quality
Colorado Shines is supported by two systems: the CDEC Provider Hub and the Professional Development Information System (PDIS).
What You Can Do
Directors use two tools to participate in Colorado Shines:
Provider Hub
Child care programs use the CDEC Provider Hub to:
- Apply for a child care license (Colorado Shines Level 1)
- Manage their child care license
- Access Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) applications (Colorado Shines Levels 2-4)
- Apply for quality improvement funds
- Update a program’s profile
PDIS (Professional Development Information System)
The PDIS is the state’s workforce registry and professional development system. People who work with and support young children use the PDIS to:
- Access high-quality professional development
- Take the training required for various licensing roles
- Apply for credentials and qualifications
- Manage their professional resume and work experience
- Access supports, such as scholarship information or links to tax credits
Changes to Colorado Shines
In 2026, the observation component of the QRIS was paused to allow the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) to refresh the quality system and structure. As part of this work, a streamlined interim process for programs pursuing a Level 3 or 4 rating will be available beginning in September 2026. Use the links to the left to learn about the process while the new quality system is under construction.
