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Improving Child Care Quality

Problem:
Research studies conducted by Iowa State University Extension clearly show that there is a critical need to improve the quality of child care in Iowa. Much of the care is mediocre and even inadequate or unsafe for young children.

Iowa State University Extension was selected to deliver Environment Rating Scale (ERS) training for the state of Iowa, as part of the child care Quality Rating System. This training is teaching child care providers how to assess their program for quality and giving direction for positive changes that improve the quality of care that children receive.

Response:
ISUE developed a standardized curriculum to train child care providers on 4 Environment Rating Scale instruments-ITERS for those who care for infants and toddlers, ECERS for centers and preschools, FDCRS for family home child care providers and SACERS for programs that serve school age children. The training series include 4 2-hour sessions held weekly with homework assignments. The third session is a visit to a child care center or home for practice in using the rating scale tools.

To date, Extension families field specialists have delivered 8 series of ERS trainings in southeast Iowa. Evaluation data is showing that the training is effective in teaching and motivating child care providers to conduct self-assessments and implement changes that improve the care provided to young children.

Impact:
In May and June, 30 family child care home providers attended Family Day Care Rating Scale (FDCRS) training in Burlington and Iowa City. All 30 of the providers completed all 4 sessions of the training. 29 completed all homework and received a certificate of completion that will earn them points for the child care Quality Rating System. 18 of the participants returned 3 month follow-up evaluation forms.

Ten providers completed a Self-Assessment using the FDCRS book and score sheet. Seven completed a Child Development Home Improvement Plan based on the FDCRS Self-Assessment.

Fourteen providers responded that they made changes/improvements to their child care program after completing the ERS training. Three providers said they made more than 12 changes to their program. Three made 1-3 changes/improvements and eight said that they made 4-7 changes/improvements.

Here are some of the changes/improvements that child care providers said they made:

  • I put a lock on my medicine cabinet.
  • I had a physical exam.
  • I reduced the use of television watching in my program.
  • I try new foods and have everyone give their opinion of it.
  • I have completely restructured my program. I have used chalkboard paint to create writing spaces for the children. I have paper and colored pencils out for children to use all the time. I have done a fire drill exercise 3 times. I use paper towels in the bathroom.
  • I added more soft toys.
  • Incorporate more music into the daily program.
  • More interaction with parents at greeting and departing.
  • Created a math box to use as an activity center.
  • Added a sand table.
  • Display more children's art work.
  • Everybody has their own hair brush.
  • Switched to a day care crib instead of a playpen for nap.
  • I changed the health care records on my children in care.

Contact:
Mary Crooks
Extension Field Specialist/Family Life
317 Van Buren Street, Wapello, IA 52653
Phone 319-523-2371; Fax 319-523-2375
E-mail: mcrooks@iastate.edu

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Last update: January 31, 2007 
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