As Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS) continue to launch and mature across states, questions emerge from stakeholders about how to design and implement effective quality improvement (QI) initiatives that accompany a QRIS. Funders, policymakers, and program developers with limited resources are looking to invest in activities that will be most successful in supporting early care and education (ECE) program quality improvement and ultimately improving outcomes for young children. The purpose of this report is to address questions about effective QI initiatives by proposing a blueprint of quality improvement practices and design considerations generated from a synthesis of the existing research literature and input from national experts in ECE quality improvement. The practices and considerations proposed in this report are supported by both emerging empirical evidence and expert consensus in the field as promising components of a successful QI initiative that accompanies a QRIS. While it is important to remember that the blueprint will need updating in the future as the knowledge base expands, it serves as a concise articulation of the key investments to consider for the design, implementation and evaluation of QI initiatives to support ongoing ECE program improvement and achievement of outcomes for children and families. The report contains a summary of the blueprint components that can be used to guide review, reflection, planning, and revision of new or ongoing QI initiatives.