SUTQ Resources

Step Up To Quality (SUTQ) is Ohio’s three‑tier quality rating and improvement system for early care and education programs. It recognizes programs that meet or exceed quality standards designed to support positive child outcomes. These standards are based on national research about what practices best promote children’s learning and development. SUTQ helps programs show their commitment to quality and guides continuous improvement efforts.

Programs are required to be SUTQ rated if they want to access or participate in programs such as publicly funded child care (PFCC) as defined by OAC:5180:6-1-01 or the The Ohio Preschool Program. If any classroom in a licensed program gets PFCC or OPP funds, the whole program must be rated and meet all standards.