Iowa State University Extension

Problem:
Child care centers continue to face issues that make offering quality care to children a challenge. High turnover of staff, inexperienced directors and tight budgets make it difficult for centers to reach goals of offering high quality care. Knowledge and technical assistance on the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale are important ways that child care centers can take steps to increase the quality of the care they offer.

Response:
For the past 2 years, ISU Extension in Des Moines and Louisa Counties has partnered with Child Care Resource and Referral to conduct Early Childhood Environment Rating scale assessments at 8 child care centers per year. A report listing strengths and areas for improvement is compiled after the assessment and follow-up education and techinical assistance is provided to center directors and staff. Caring CommUNITY-Des Moines/Louisa Empowerment-has funded the rating scales, including $500 per site for materials to boost scores in low areas. This year the Empowerment Board approached ISU Extension and asked them to work with centers to develop more extensive lists of supplies needed for improving scores, offering an additional $1000 per center for supplies and materials to improve scores. This additional funding will allow centers to purchase larger, more expensive items such as low book shelves for storing learning materials and child-sized chairs and tables. This will raise scores on the rating scale and provide children with a better learning environment.

Impact:
Child Care center directors report that the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale assessments are a valuable learning tool. The report and follow-up consultation helps them to see areas for improvement, as well as their strengths. The funding for supplies and materials is helpful for raising scores in identified items that received low scores. The additional $1,000 of funding per site will allow centers to purchase items that will further help to improve the quality of care children receive. Practice change: Center directors purchase items following the assessments that will directly impact the quality scores they receive. This, in turn, improves the quality of care that children receive. Evaluation data from the Environment Rating Scale research shows conclusively that when children receive care in programs that have a high quality rating score, they do better in school. Thus, improving scores on the ECERS will help to assure that children receive higher quality care and will likely be better prepared to succeed in school.

Team Members/Community Partners Involved:
Community Partners: Child Care Resource and Referral Des Moines/Louisa Empowerment

Contact:
Mary Crooks
Louisa County Extension
317 Van Buren St
Wapello, IA 52653
319-523-2371
mcrooks@iastate.edu