Although quality assurance programs may improve the curricula and outcomes of early childhood programs, some U.S. childcare principals are reluctant to participate in these initiatives. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the motivation that guides Texas childcare principals' decision-making regarding participation in the Texas Rising Star (TRS) program. The study was underpinned by the self-determination theory of Ryan and Deci, which describes the major drivers of human motivation. The study's three research questions concerned decisions regarding TRS participation, intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, and the desire to retain personal autonomy. Interviews of 10 childcare center principals and five principals of licensed childcare homes provided the data for the investigation. Thematic analysis yielded four themes: benefits and barriers to personal autonomy, elements of TRS, extrinsic benefits and barriers, and intrinsic benefits and barriers. Findings suggest that childcare principals make decisions guided by intrinsic and extrinsic motivation benefits and barriers, including monetary support and support for quality, but also feelings of stress with the TRS process and perceptions of lost time, costs, and loss of staff. Barriers to autonomy were triggered by feelings of interference and lack of guidance. Recommendations for future research include replicating this study in other states of the United States. Implications for practice include adjusting the benefits offered to TRS participants and aligning mentoring and assessment processes. The study may promote positive social change by identifying strategies for increasing childcare principals' receptiveness to quality measures, which, if implemented, may lead to better care and learning success for children. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]