Success Story

Situation:
EvenStart is a grant funded family literacy program and as a part of the funding arrangement, the program needs to be evaluated on a yearly basis.

The assessment tool that has been chosen for the evaluation process is the Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale-Revised (ECERS-R).

Action:
The past two years, EvenStart has contracted with an ISU Extension Family Life Field Specialist, trained in the use of the ECERS and who has met inter-rater reliability through continuous training every six months.

Results:
Impact of the evaluation process shows the following recommendations made during the observation and how the center responded to them:

• Round doorknob could not be operated by person with limited use of hands.
  Action taken - Addition of a bar type door handle made the room more accessible to individuals with limited use of their upper body.
  
  
• Room arrangement was crowded – limiting use by a person with a disability.
  Action taken - Room arrangement was changed to allow more space for any individual with a disability.

• Consider adding more soft furnishing around the room
  Action taken - Soft furnishings were added and several area rugs were added for comfort and learning experiences. More dolls and soft animals were added as accessories in the dramatic play area.

• Consider adding both pictures and word labels to more of the shelves and cupboards.
  Action taken - Labels and pictures were added to the shelves and containers. Play areas very organized and accessible to all children.

• Consider nutrition of the breakfast.
  Action taken - donuts and pop tarts were no longer a breakfast choice.

• Consider adding more variety to the book section.
  Action taken - A nice variety of books were added to the classroom. Books were accessible within several of the play areas. Spanish books were also made available within the classroom setting.

• Consider adding journal time.
  Action taken - Journaling activities were incorporated into the daily routine.

• Would like to see more signs of diversity within the classroom.
  Action taken - Nice variety of play areas were added besides housekeeping. More diversity was seen in the toys, puzzles and books.

Quote from the director:
"It has been a valuable experience being evaluated by Rhonda Rosenboom through the use of the ECERS. It validated the things we were doing right and gave us insight into areas where we could still improve. It has given us the extra leverage we needed to talk with the maintenance department about getting an additional water heater, so we could have hot water. We were provided with the information needed to present to our lunch program supervisor to get more nutritious breakfasts. Because of the evaluation, I am more aware of the variety of books I put out, the type of art work we display, as well as the amount of time we spend doing various activities to provide optimal learning. Each year Rhonda had provided me with detailed feedback, so that we can continue to make our program a high quality preschool program."

Changes made in this program over the past year have helped the program provide an even stronger positive learning environment for the 16 diverse children enrolled and their families who also have an active part in the program throughout the year.

Contact:
Rhonda Rosenboom
Extension Field Specialist/Family Life
Box 99
Primghar IA 51245
Phone 712-957-5045; Fax 712-957-5065
E-Mail rrosenb@iastate.edu