Iowa State University Extension

Problem:
The Scott County Kids Empowerment Community Plan includes “every child has a right to be safe, healthy, intellectually stimulated and nurtured” in its guiding principles. This principle is addressed in the plan’s priority funding areas – Healthy Children, Secure and Nurturing Child Care Environments, Secure and Nurturing Families, Children Ready for School, Safe and Supportive Communities. Iowa State University Extension is known in the community as a source of expertise to address this guiding principal.

Response:
The Quality Infant and Toddler Child Care Project was proposed and funded by Scott County Kids Empowerment under the priority area “Secure and Nurturing Child Care Environments.” The purpose of this Project is to assist child care centers and child development home providers in developing and implementing a quality child care plan for infant and toddler care. The Project included the 40-hour Iowa Program for Infant and Toddler Care (in cooperation with Child Care Resource and Referral), 8-hour Environmental Rating Scale Self-Assessment training (Iowa State University Extension is the sate-approved trainer), technical assistance, Independent Environment Assessment Consultations (IEAC) for centers, and funds for resources for areas identified as needing improvement. Two child care centers and seven child development home providers met the criteria for the QITC Project.

Impact:
Two Scott County Family Y centers met the Project’s requirements for participation. The centers provide infant and toddler care at two locations in Davenport, Iowa. Eleven staff from these centers completed the Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale, Revised (ITERS-R) Self-Assessment training with ten completing the requirements and receiving Certificates of Completion. The toddler rooms at both sites participated in the IEAC observation/consultation process. The observation reports, consultation and technical assistance focused on quality child care indicators that scored below a “5” on the ITERS-R. Staff reported making many improvements as a result of their center’s involvement in the QITC Project, some of the improvements were: Space and Furnishings – A cozy area developed that is away from active play areas; child-sized furniture added in the dramatic play area included a doll bed, doll house, table and chairs; displays for the children improved with the addition of three picture boards. Personal Care Routines – More attention given to cleaning and sanitizing, timers added for sanitizing process; a separate sink for hand washing added. Activities – More interest areas and toys (age-appropriate musical toys, puzzles, shape sorters, stacking blocks and housekeeping, people and animal play props) are accessible to the children; more opportunities for water play with the addition of new toys; books are more accessible with the addition of a book shelf near the cozy area. Interaction – Staff use meal times to engage children in language development; more staff-child interaction during routine care and play times, talking to the child about their play by adding words to identify objects and toys and describing a child’s actions in conversations. Both centers are Iowa Quality Rating System certified, one is currently at Level 3 (3 Stars) and one at Level 4 (4 Stars). Both centers earned the one point required in the Environments Category (required to become Iowa QRS certified at Levels 3 – 5) by completing the ITERS-R training requirements to receive a Certificate of Completion for their programs.

Contact:
Wendy Peterson
Clinton County Extension
331 East 8th Street
DeWitt, IA 52742
563-659-5125
wpeterso@iastate.edu