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Scales

ECERS-3
Early Childhood

The Third Edition of the ECERS is a major revision that introduces innovations in both the content and use of the scale while retaining the continuity of the two principal characteristics of the ECERS: its comprehensive definition of quality and the reliance on observation to base assessment of classroom quality. Please see this brief overview of the differences between the ECERS-3 and ECERS-R

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ECERS-3 book cover

FCCERS-3
Family Child Care

The third edition of this scale is designed to assess the quality of care of family child care programs held in a provider's home for children from infancy through school-age. A brief overview of the differences between FCCERS-3 and FCCERS-R can be found here

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ECERS-R
Second Edition

This second edition of the ECERS contains inclusive and culturally sensitive indicators for many items. New items have been added on Interaction (staff-child, child-child and discipline), Curriculum (nature/science and math/number) Health & Safety and Parents & Staff.

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FCCERS-R
Second Edition

This second edition is also designed to assess family child care programs. It covers a wider age range and has a deeper focus on sensitivity to cultural and socioeconomic diversity.

 

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ITERS-3
Infant/Toddler

The third edition has many improvements from the revised edition (ITERS-R). Please see a brief overview of the differences here. Some examples include:

     -Greater focus on teaching and interaction in

regard to materials

     -Accessibility looks at access to materials based on abilities on young infants, older non-mobile infants, and mobile children

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ITERS-3 book cover

SACERS-U
School Age Care

Designed to assess group-care programs for children of school age, 5 to 12 during their out-of-school time. It includes supplementary items for programs enrolling children with disabilities.

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SACERS-U cover

ITERS-R
Second Edition

The second edition of the ITERS, designed to assess center-based child care programs for infants and toddlers up to 30 months of age. It is more inclusive and culturally sensitive. It also addresses professional needs of staff, and reflects the latest health & safety information.

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What's the difference between the Revised (R's) and the 3rd editions?
Revised (R's) Editions:
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  • Focuses more on materials and classroom arrangement.

  • Based off 3-hour observation and post-observation interview questions.

  • Optional parent and staff section.

  • Access to materials is determined by "substantial portion of the day" and "much of the day".

  • Provisions for children with disabilities included in 4 items in Program Structure. 
     

3rd Editions:
  • Greater focus on teaching and interaction in regard to materials.

  • Based entirely on the 3-hour observation; no post-interviews.

  • Parent and staff section not included. 

  • Access to materials is determined either by specific time requirements (ECERS-3) or assessing lapses in access to materials based on ages and abilities (ITERS-3 and FCCERS-3).

  • Provisions for children with disabilities incorporated into items throughout the scales.

Please see these documents for a full list of the differences between the Revised and 3rd editions of the scales:

Curriculum resources

All About 
Preschoolers

This comprehensive two volume curriculum set, designed for all preschoolers was written by Debby Cryer, a leading expert in the field of early childhood and one of the authors of the Environment Rating Scales; and Cathy Riley, one of the authors of the All About ECERS-R™ and an expert team of five other authors in the early childhood field. The curriculum meets the standards of ECERS-R™ with more than 650 pages and over 600 illustrative photographs and several curriculum plans. Based on many years of developmental research and appropriate learning theory, it has been carefully designed to be used in preschool classrooms and includes time-proven successful practices. This curriculum is academically enriched, reinforcing cognitive skill development, science, math and social studies, through meaningful content around standards of learning.

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all about resources

The All About resource guides interpret each item and indicator on the scale, and provide photographs of real-world settings. It will help you use the ERS to accurately assess your early learning environment in the areas of cognitive, social-emotional, and physical development, as well as health and safety standards.

all about
ECERS-3

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all about
ITERS-3

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Meet the Authors

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