Additional Notes for Clarification have been released for the ECERS-3 and will impact the PA Key PQA Team’s use of the ECERS-3. If you aren’t already familiar with ERS Notes for Clarification, they provide additional detail about the expectations of an indicator or item or further define terminology in the scale. Notes for Clarification can...Read More

by Bobbi Philson It was exciting and thought-provoking to talk ECERS-3 with almost 75 ECE professionals at the 2017 ECE Summit. We heard from some of the group that they would like more information about the 3-hour observation-only approach of the ECERS-3, so we’ll tackle it in a series of blog posts.Read More

Michelle Mallonee Long Confucius said, “What I hear I forget. What I see I remember. What I do I know.” Research has proven that the more senses involved in learning, the greater the impression and the longer the retention. We retain: 10% of what we read 20% of what we hear 39% of what we...Read More

By Lisa Mulliken In playground safety resources, the terms “fall zone” and “use zone” are often referenced and sometimes used interchangeably. Both of these terms are used to describe an important aspect of a safe gross motor environment. The following resources provide information on the expectations for a fall or use zone:Read More

How did the Environment Rating Scales evolve? The family of Environment Rating Scales (ECERS, ITERS, FCCERS, & SACERS) initially grew out of my many years of experience teaching in different types of Early Childhood Education programs including as a Family Child Care provider, Parent CO-OP Preschool Teacher, Head Start teacher, Head Teacher of the four...Read More

By Bobbi Philson Is it an interest center? Is it a play area? Is it both? Does it matter? A play area needs: Play materials Space An interest center needs: Clear definition Materials for a particular kind of play Materials organized by type and accessible to children Furniture if needed Appropriate space for the type...Read More