Early Learning Coalition of SWFL Sees Decrease in Low Scoring Child Care Providers

July 30, 2010 - PRLog -- The Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida (ELC) has  collaborated with The Childrens Forum and Community Coordinated Care For Children, Inc. (4C)and are proud to report only 4% of child care provider classrooms assessed are scoring low compared to 24% in the previous year.
   
School Readiness Child Care providers who are involved with ELC and receive state funding are evaluated using the Environment Rating Scales (ERS). ERS assessments are highly reliable and valid assessment tools used world-wide to determine the quality of early learning programs.  They specifically evaluate infant and toddler classrooms and preschool classrooms in child care centers as well as family child care homes.

During the 2008 / 2009 year, 24% of providers assessed on the ERS scored below a 2.0 on their initial, base-line ERS evaluations.  That was before extensive training and technical assistance was offered to child care providers.  This year, 2009 / 2010, with ongoing support, professional development and technical assistance for providers, the programs scoring at or below a 2.0 is now only 4%.

“The ultimate goal is to monitor the quality of child care programs and the commitment of the child care director, teachers and staff involved in providing child care to the children and families in our community,” commented Melanie Holaway, Director of Provider Services. “We are pleased with their success and look forward to helping our providers maintain a higher level of quality in the future.”

ABOUT SCORING
ECERS (Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale) is used for assessing preschool classrooms in child care centers.  ITERS (Infant Toddler Environment Rating Scale) is for assessing infant and toddler classrooms in child care centers.   FCCERS (Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale) is used to assess family child care environments.  The scale is 1-7 with a 1 being considered the lowest or a zero.

Providers are assessed on the components of space and furnishings, personal care routines, language and reasoning skills, activities for children, interactions between caregivers and children as well as program structure. 4C provider consultants follow up by providing technical assistance to child care staff to facilitate ongoing, continuous improvement after the review.

ABOUT ELC
The Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida exists to enhance the quality of children's lives by providing low-income families, early childhood educators, caregivers and community partners in Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee Counties, with opportunities to positively impact the future.  For details on our many services or to donate, please visit http://www.elcofswfl.org or call (239) 267-4105.