Environmental Rating Scales

There are four Environmental Rating Scales designed to enable teachers to create developmentally appropriate learning environments for the following groups: Infant/Toddler, Early Childhood, Family Daycare, and School Age. The scales evaluate physical environment, basic care, curriculum, interaction, schedule and program structure, and parent and staff education. Additionally, the scales are suitable for use in evaluating inclusive and culturally diverse programs.

The Environmental Rating Scales have been proven for both validity and reliability.

Find out more about the four scales below:

 ITERS-R

INFANT/TODDLER ENVIRONMENT RATING SCALE, REVISED EDITION

Introduction

Kaplan Early Learning Company offers a wide variety of quality educational and culturally sensitive materials that engage caregivers in activity with children. These products enhance the learning and fun of a quality program.

This helps to meet the material criteria of the Infant Toddler Environment Rating Scale - Revised by Thelma Harms, Richard Clifford and Debby Cryer. While materials are a vital part of a child's environment, they are only a portion of the quality indicators. How materials are used and how the caregiver interacts with the children in care determine higher rating scores in the scale. Please choose the Environmental Rating scale that is appropriate for the age of children in your care.

The individual rating scales give additional examples and clarification of materials and uses. The scales include:

• Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale (for children 0-2 1/2 years)
• Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-R (for children 2 1/2 - 5 years)
• School-Age Care Environment Rating Scale (for children in school-age programs)
• Family Day Care Rating Scale (for children in Family Child Care Homes: infants - school age).

About the Material

• Only a few basic choices for each item have been listed. Please refer to the Kaplan catalogs for many more options that meet individual program needs, such as budget and space.



• Many of the equipment and material selections are offered in a variety of colors, shapes, sizes, styles, and quantities. Please refer to the appropriate Kaplan catalog for these options.



• The material and equipment offered through Kaplan's catalogs are culturally sensitive.



• To avoid redundancy, basic items such as tables, chairs, storage units, etc. are listed in one area and are not repeated throughout the scale. Please refer to the rating scale for detailed instructions and examples for each item listed.



• Teacher resources are listed specifically by the content area (for example: math books are in the section concerning math, art in the art section, etc.). Many resources cover a variety of activities and learning center ideas. Several titles are listed in the professional development section of the scale.

• Space and Furnishings
• Personal Care Routines
• Language - Reasoning
• Activities
• Program Structure
• Parents and Staff

Click here to purchase ITERS-R.

• Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale Materials List
• Creating Environment and curriculum for Infants and Toddlers - Correlation to ITERS
• ITERS-R Materials Checklist

To view these files, you'll need Acrobat Reader. Click the icon to download a free copy.

 ECERS-R

EARLY CHILDHOOD ENVIRONMENT RATING SCALE, REVISED EDITION

Designed to assess group programs for children aged 3 to 5 years of age. The Scale consists of 43 items organized into 7 subscales:

• Space and Furnishings
• Personal Care Routines
• Language-Reasoning
• Activities
• Interactions
• Program Structure
• Parents and Staff

Click here to purchase ECERS-R.

• ECERS Correlation
• ECERS-R Materials Checklist

To view these files, you'll need Acrobat Reader. Click the icon to download a free copy.

 FDCRS

FAMILY DAY CARE RATING SCALE

Designed to assess family child care programs conducted in a provider's home. The Scale consists of 32 items (including 8 supplementary items for programs enrolling children with disabilities) organized into 7 subscales:

• Space and Furnishings
• Basic Care
• Language and Reasoning
• Learning Activities
• Social Development
• Adult Needs

Click here to purchase FDCRS.

• Family Day Care Rating Scale Materials List

 SACERS

SCHOOL AGE CARE ENVIRONMENTAL RATING SCALE

Designed to assess group programs for children who are of school age. The Scale consists of 49 items (including supplementary items for programs enrolling children of special needs) organized into a 7 point scale:

• Space and Furnishings
• Health and Safety
• Activities
• Interaction
• Program Structure
• Staff Development

Click here to purchase SACERS.

• School Age Care Environmental Rating Scale Materials List