ITERS-R Self-Assessment Training Addresses Quality Infant/Toddler Child Care in Scott County

Opportunity:
In September 2001, the state of Iowa launched a training system to improve the quality of child care for infants and toddler. In January 2002, The Iowa Program for Infant & Toddler Caregivers (IA PITC) began offering 40-hours of community-based trainings through regional Child Care Resource and Referral offices. At the same time Iowa State University became involved in the study of child care quality with the Midwest Child Care Consortium comprised of Midwestern universities in Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri. The quality child care research studies expanded over time and included a study for the Iowa Program for Infant & Toddler Caregivers program.

Response:
From these beginnings there evolved a partnership where ISU Extension would provide a 6-hour training on using the Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale-Revised for self-assessment purposes. The training was offered to centers where the staff had completed or was in the process of completing the IA PITC program.

This self-assessment training maximized the opportunity to increase knowledge and skills for four child care centers providing infant/toddler care in Scott County – Kiddie Karrasel Academy, Hand-in-Hand, Christ’s Family Day Care, and A Child’s Place. All of these centers have had staff, including the director, complete IA PITC and ITERS-R self-assessment trainings, participate in an ITERS-R observation and consultation by an inter-rater reliable observer, and receive technical assistance to address recommendations based on the ITERS-R observation ratings. The report included identified strengths and opportunities for enhancing the quality of care based upon the ratings of seven areas - Space and Furnishings, Personal Care Routines, Listening and Talking, Activities, Interaction, Program Structure and Adult Needs. The ITERS-R observation and assessment was funded through a grant awarded by the Scott County Community Empowerment. The 40-hour infant/toddler training and ITERS-R training was funded through the Iowa Program for Infant Toddler Caregivers. The bonus for centers occurred when the 6-hour self-assessment training was added to IA PITC this year.

Impact:
All four centers now have staff with a common background of knowledge on best practices for infant/toddler care, the results of an assessment by an inter-rater reliable observer using the Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale-Revised with recommendations, and training on how to use the ITERS-R instrument for self-assessment purposes and developing an on-going Plan-of-Action for improving the quality of care in their center with technical assistance.

The Plan-of-Action asks center staff to identify specific quality child care indicators based on the ITERS-R that need improvement and to describe the problem, changes needed, and resources needed to address the problem. Staff is also asked to project costs, prioritize the need and to establish a timeline for completing the task. This Plan-of-Action will serve as a guide for future technical assistance and acquisition of resources. The IA PITC specialist will oversee the development of these plans.

All of the centers have reported taking action to address recommendations based on the ITERS-R observation results, technical assistance by a PITC trainer and their self-assessment findings. Five areas have been addressed – Space and Furnishings (expanding the space for infant care, removing unsafe equipment and other furniture, developing interest areas and creating active and quiet play spaces, adding child-sized furnishings, adding soft furnishings and cozy areas); Personal Care Routines (addressing sanitation and hygiene procedures, improving health and safety by addressing the placement of cribs and supervision of sleeping infants); Activities (addressing the accessibility of toys and materials for play, developing interest areas and equipping them for rich play episodes); Listening and Talking and Interaction (using play and routine care times for language development).

The long-term goal of the Quality Infant/Toddler Child Care Initiative is to continue this educational opportunity to include all centers that provide infant/toddler care. Scott County Community Empowerment will continue its support of establishing a baseline for the status of infant/toddler care by funding ITERS-R observations and consultations, technical assistance and resources for centers to address identified needs. The IA PITC training and self-assessment training will also continue to be offered in Scott County in FY 2005-2006.

Contact:
Wendy Peterson
331 E 8th St
De Witt, IA 52742-1736
Phone 319-659-5125
Fax 319-659-5126
Email wpeterso@iastate.edu

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