Training & Technical Assistance

Rating Scale Self-Assessment

What are Environment Rating Scales?

The Environment Rating Scales are tools developed to assess out of home environments in which children receive care. Four environment rating scales have been developed. They are:

• Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale: Revised edition [ITERS-R], used for children from birth to 30 months of age, the age group that is most vulnerable physically, mentally, and emotionally.
• Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale: Revised edition [ECERS], used for a room or group of children aged 2 ½ to 5 years.
• Family Child Care Rating Scale [FCCRS],used for care provided to small groups of children of all ages in an individuals’ home.
• School-Age Care Environment Rating Scale [SACERS] used for care provided to strictly to elementary age children in a variety of settings.

Although the specific headings and the number of items vary by scale, all assess the basic areas.

Click here to see a comparison of scales (PDF)

• Space and furnishings
• Health and safety
• Language and reasoning
• Activities
• Personal interactions
• Program structure
• Parents and staff

Each of the above areas focus on the awareness of diversty and children's special needs.

Why are they used?

As knowledge about child development has grown, the quality of care provided to children has become a great concern. With vast concerns about the effects on children’s social, emotional and cognitive development, it is imperative that the environment in which children are placed in care is evaluated. The Environment Rating Scales promote strengths and identifies areas that improvements can be made to improve quality in child care.

The value of the assessment is to identify the strengths of the program and offer suggestions for improvement to a higher level of quality.

Need more information/assistance? Want to access these materials? Contact a member of the Training & Technical Assistance Team.