Iowa State University Extension

Problem:
Improving the quality of child care in Iowa continues to be a major effort . Working with child care centers and staff is one way to help facilitate changes that need to be made.

Response:
Iowa State Extension family life field specialists have been offering the Early Child Care Environment Rating Scale Training (ECERS- R) to center directors and staff as a way to help them assess their program and develop a child care improvement plan to strengthen it. In 2008, six separate four-lesson series were offered in northwest Iowa. Seventy-three providers participated.

Impact:
Of the fifty percent of participants who returned the three month evaluations, the following results showed: • 2160 families and 2250 children have been served by these programs. • 17 of the programs have made 2-3 improvements • 11 of the programs have made 4-7 improvements. Main areas of change included: room arrangement, changes in schedule to provide a more balanced program, hand washing technique improvement, improvement in activities being offered or in length of time activities and centers are available, labeling centers to make them more accessible to the children, smoother transitions between activities, adding more books or softness to the room, changes made to increase communication between parents and staff, and work to improve safety on the playground. One center stated they had received a grant to build a new playground.

Contact:
Rhonda Rosenboom
O'Brien County Extension
340 2nd Street SE, Box 99
Primghar, IA 51245
712-957-5045
rrosenb@iastate.edu