Program observation instruments (POI) may be updated periodically to reflect new learning about early care and learning practices and child development. Checking in for new information can help your program’s internal observer collect the most accurate and meaningful data for continuous quality improvement (CQI) planning.
Your Quality Coach and partnering PA Key Program Quality Assessor are a great starting point for new information, and these online resources can help you continue to build your skills:
Environment Rating Scale Institute (ERSi) www.ersi.info
Several new Additional Notes for Clarification were released for the ITERS-3, ECERS-3, and FCCERS-3 in August 2026 and are available on the ERSi website. You can also use the Contact feature on the website to ask scale-specific questions.
CLASS Learning Community www.teachstone.com
Navigate to the Resources page on the Teachstone website to connect with other CLASS observers and find supportive resources focused on growing interactions that build learning for children. You’ll also find a link to the CLASS Blog.
Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL) www.csefel.vanderbilt.edu
If your program’s IA activities and CQI planning are focused on social-emotional development in the infant, toddler, and preschool years, you’ll find a variety of resources and tip sheets.
PQA Pages and Let’s Talk Quality Blog www.pakeys.org
Additional resources are regularly added to the PQA pages of the Pennsylvania Key website to support the use of all POI options. You’ll also find short webinars and a link to the PQA team blog.