Iowa State University Extension

Problem:
Quality child care is a priority in the state of Iowa . Adequate training increases the quality of care that children receive from providers including maintaining a stable workforce of caregivers that is critical to quality care. The challenge is to make intensive training available when providers, trainers and convenient affordable locations are all available. Empowerment's goal is to increase access to high quality professional development for childcare and preschool providers.

Response:
Iowa State University Extension, HACAP Child Care Resource and Referral and Linn County Empowerment partnered to provide training for participants in the Iowa Quality Rating System and NAC National Administrative Certification. In August 2007, Kristi Cooper and Mary Crooks, Family Life Specialists conducted two environmental Rating Scales series funded by Linn County Empowerment. Each participant received four 2 hour training sessions: The ITERS Infant Toddler Environmental rating scale class was held on Monday and Thursday mornings and the ECERS Early Childhood Environmental rating scale class held in the afternoons, July 30, August 2, 6 and 9th, 2007. HACAP provided the training coordination and location, Empowerment provided funding to cover training materials and ISU Extension provided two trainers.

Impact:
The day-time ITERS and ECERS training reached 25 center based child care providers. Of the 25, 19 participants serve as directors or in administrative roles in their centers or community organizations; 6 serve as classroom teachers. Twenty-three of the twenty five completed the course. All participants reported incorporating learning into policy or practice.

ITERS participants indicated what they planned to do as a result of this workshop:

• Put forth a lot of information that I've learned here. I think this is a great class to attend.
• Continue to do self-assessment of own program. Continue to improve my skills as an evaluator for QECI.
• Very good class—helpful, informative. Instructors knowledgeable and answered all questions—relaxed environment—felt comfortable asking questions.
• Make a lot of changes that I have learned from the class and from peers in the class.
• This class has helped me to clarify and prioritize needs and areas of improvement in the center.
  

ECERS participants had similar response:

• Apply for QRS and work on improvement plan.
• I plan to use this to self assess our program. I will continue as an evaluator as I feel this is such an important tool into improving child care programs.
• This program was an eye opener, how we can improve our day care and provide a better day care. .
• I've a better understanding of what evaluators do and how difficult it can be to remain objective.
• Continue to educate others in my school regarding ECERS-R and collaborate with others in my district that are current evaluators.
• Get my center ready for an evaluation by ECERS evaluators and pass my knowledge on to my staff.
• Evaluate other centers. This class was very informational. • I plan to work on making improvements on my room as well as trying to educate staff more about ECERS.
• Complete a self-assessment of our center then make improvement/changes as needed.
• I plan to reevaluate our own center as well as serve as an evaluator.
  

I learned a lot about what areas of quality need to be addressed but feel I still have much to learn as I begin the process. Its' definitely stimulated my thoughts on a quality program. Because of the partnerships stated above, the average cost of ERS training per participant was $100.57. All participants will be surveyed in 3 months to determine what impact the training had on their child care program.

Other Staff Involved:
Mary Crooks, Family Life Field Specialist, mcrooks@iastate.edu
Linda Bigley, Linn County Extension Director

Team Members/Community Partners
HACAP CCR&R
Linn County Empowerment

Contact:
Kristi Cooper
Linn County Extension
3279 7th Ave #140
Marion, IA 52302
kcoop@iastate.edu