Beth Simon The term Program Observation Instrument or POI for short is a new term that you will see in the revised Keystone STARS Standards. In case you haven’t heard, the new Keystone STARS Standards went into effect last month. The new standards refer to various “Program Observation Instruments (POI)” that can be used for...Read More

Beth Simon  The above is often a response heard from child care providers when asked, “Do you use sand and water play in your classroom?” Although it’s the typical response, it does not mean it’s the developmentally appropriate response. Sand and water play can be messy and is probably the main reason why child care...Read More

Megan Pittsinger “What is CACFP?” you may ask. CACFP is the Child and Adult Care Food Program. CACFP provides aid to programs for the provision of nutritious foods. For information on how to apply for CACFP please visit United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service. Current CACFP Guidelines (until October 1, 2017) The...Read More

Michelle Long We all know that parents like those cute little pieces of art to hang up on the refrigerator. They like to be proud of what their child made. While it is important to please the parents, it is more important to look at what the child is gaining from that project. What goes...Read More

Michelle Long Picture yourself sitting on bleachers. How is your posture? Are you wishing this game was at a stadium equipped with seats with backs? Picture yourself at a crowded café. The only stool left is missing the rungs. Are you having trouble trying to find a spot for your feet to rest? Are you...Read More

Bobbi Philson The authors of the Environment Rating Scales assess the safety of playgrounds using information from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The information is condensed and easily understandable in the document Playground Information to Use with the Environment Rating Scales, available at www.ersi.info. Click on Quick Links for one of the ERS scales...Read More

Leah Zabari Mud pies, hide and seek, climbing trees, grass stains, and ripped jeans. Oh! The fun childhood memories when freedom to explore the world through adventures and imagination went on from sun up to sundown. But sadly, with computer, TV and the push for more developmentally inappropriate academics in early childhood, these adventures seem...Read More

Lisa Mulliken The display in any early childhood classroom is an important part of a thoughtfully prepared learning environment and provides insight into the children and teachers who spend their day there and their current interests and themes. In a developmentally appropriate classroom, many current examples of easily visible, child-created display are observed. Children’s drawings...Read More

Stefanie Camoni Summary reports provide a snapshot of what occurs in the classroom on a typical day. They include objective information about what was observed and provide areas for improvement. After the ERS window ends, those reports are completed and sent to the program. Hopefully you read them, share them with your staff, and address...Read More

Angel Avery-Wright Sometimes when assessors reach a center, it is easy to find. There is a big sign out front and the door to enter is clearly visible. Other times when the assessor arrives, she has no idea which building she should be heading toward or which door she should enter. Listed below are a...Read More