Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale Research Articles

Влияние профессионального мастерства и личностных особенностей педагога на психическое развитие ребенка в разных типах образовательной среды

Background. Cognitive and personal development are priority areas for the development of a child at preschool age. The quality of the developmental preparation of children in preschool institutions, their level of readiness to study at school, the degree of their adaptation to school, peers, and teachers largely depend on the state of the educational environment, the level of professional skills and personal characteristics of the teacher. Objective. The aim of the study is to explore the developing potential of educational environments and the influence of the professional and personal characteristics of a teacher on the formation of a child's personality in modern educational space. Study Participants. The empirical study involved 413 preschoolers aged from 4 to 6 years (M = 5.5 years), 413 parents (mothers) of preschool children and 50 teachers. For each child a written parental consent to participate in the study was signed. The study was conducted between 2014 and 2022. Methods. An empirical study was conducted using the ECERS (Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale) educational environment assessment scales; diagnostics of the level of development of professional culture and skill in kindergarten teachers was carried out (V.F. Gabdulkhakov, L.M. Popov); the methodology for studying the subjectivity of the teacher by E.N. Volkova and the methodology for studying creativity by E.E. Tunik were used. To evaluate various aspects of gaming activity, we used the proposed experimental situation by E.O. Smirnova and A.N. Veraksa. Statistical processing of the obtained data was carried out using the Student's T-test, ANOVA and correlation analysis. Results. It is shown that in the educational environment of different levels, the indicators of professional skills and personal characteristics of teachers, as well as the personal development of children, are different. Significant differences were established in the severity of various aspects of children's play activity in different types of educational environments (one-way analysis of variance was used, p < 0.05), as a result of which significant differences were obtained according to the following diagnostic criteria: “substitution” (F = 25.72); “interaction” (F = 29.3), “game intent” (F = 13.76); “initiativity” (F = 5.25). Conclusion. Based on the study of the qualitative characteristics of educational environments (according to the ECERS-R scales), it is concluded that the specifics of the educational environment sets the vector of a child's development, contributing (or not contributing) to the disclosure of individual characteristics. The level of development of professional culture and skill in teachers of preschool educational institutions, their personal development determines the possibilities of the intellectual and personal development of the child and depends on the system of conditions for stimulating the quality work of the teaching staff and leaders, their involvement in creative self-development in order to realize creativity and activity as well as to improve their professional skills.

Likvärdighet och kvalitet

Swedish preschool teacher profession has changed. In the preschool teacher education, students must develop professional identities and know how to independently take responsibility for pedagogical activities, teaching and providing for children’s right to care, play, development and learning. The aim of this study is twofold: to investigate how students articulate their conditions for learning and professional development in their teaching practice, and to study how their education may be affected by being carried out in preschools of varying quality. The study is based on quality evaluations with the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS) at 153 Swedish preschools. The quality evaluations were related to a survey that 125 students answered in a preschool teacher education focusing on equivalence, the relationship between theory and practice and the quality in their teaching practice. The research questions we posed were: What characterizes the quality of preschools? Which aspects contribute to equality in teaching practice? How do the students describe the quality of the preschool? Bronfenbrenner’s ecological system theory frames the study. The analysis was informed by an interaction between empirical data and theory and thus was an abductive analytical process. The results show that the quality of preschools varies, creating unequal conditions for student learning. The students report inconsistent conditions for their learning in preschool. The political investment has enhanced the collaboration between preschool teacher education and preschool and visualized critical aspects, forming a point of intersection for the preschool teacher profession's quality.

The impact of classroom quality on young children's emotion understanding

ABSTRACT Many studies have been conducted to identify the factors explaining individual differences in children’s emotion understanding (capacity to comprehend the nature, causes and consequences of emotions in the self and others). These studies represent a significant advance in our comprehension of the origins of the child’s capacity to understand emotions. However, almost nothing is known about the impact of classroom quality on children’s emotion understanding even though Western children spend about six to eight hours per day in school. In this study, we used the Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale – Revised edition [ECERS-R] to evaluate global childcare classroom quality in 31 classrooms located in Moscow (middle SES areas) and the Test of Emotion Comprehension [TEC] to assess their emotion understanding (N = 592) while controlling for the effects of age, gender and non-verbal fluid intelligence. We hypothesized that children from high-quality classrooms would outperform their peers from low-quality classrooms in terms of their understanding of emotions. The results showed, albeit controlling for gender, age, non-verbal fluid intelligence, that children from low-quality classrooms had a significantly higher level of emotion understanding than children from high-quality classrooms. Results are discussed both in terms of their theoretical and practical implications.

Early Childhood Education, Mediation Analysis; A measurement of Factors Affecting Performance of Public Schools of Punjab Pakistan

The main purpose of this study was to examine the factors that affect the performance of public schools for early childhood education (ECE) in Punjab, Pakistan. ECE focuses on provision of effective nutrition, health care, secure and compassionate environment and participatory opportunities for the children of 3-5 years age. A survey has been conducted for data collection using a structured questionnaire which was adapted from Early childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS). Total 90 responses were collected from teachers and parents of 36 ECE public sector schools in 6 districts of Punjab. The research design has been followed to explore the structural equation modeling (SEM) of variables. The results of the study reflected that qualification of teachers (QT) and availability of facilities (AF) are important factors that positively affect parent’s satisfaction (PS). Moreover, the AF mediates the relationship between QT and PS. The study will help academia and policy makers to effectively address the issues of performance of ECE schools. The impact of indicators like QT and experience of teacher were evaluated for the first time in public sector ECE schools and recommended to replicate it in all other public / private educational institutions. Keywords: early childhood education, structural equational modelling, availability of facilities, parent’s satisfaction, performance, mediation.

A comparative analysis of the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale–Revised and Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale, Third Edition

The Early Childhood Environment Rating Scales, including the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale–Revised (Harms et al., 2005) and the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale, Third Edition (Harms et al., 2015) are the most widely used observational assessments in early childhood learning environments. The most recent version of the scale addresses some of the criticisms in the research literature, particularly related to the organization of the Scale and the standard scoring procedures. In the current study, we explore the relationship between the two scales. Specifically, we evaluated the correlations between the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale–Revised and the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale, Third Edition, as well as the differences between the overall scores, individual items, and subscales. Implications for practice and future research are also provided.

Critically engaging discourses on quality improvement: Political and pedagogical futures in early childhood education

This article is a commentary developed by three early childhood teacher educators who are concerned about the negative consequences of contemporary policy trends in the United States. The commentary critically examines the influence of quality improvement in early childhood as it relates to environmental rating systems and the use of teacher performance assessments, more specifically, the Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale and the Teacher Performance Assessment. The article concludes with a potential vision for early childhood scholars and practitioners—building solidarity to function as an emerging, powerful, ethical community of early childhood curriculum workers that thrives without consensus.

Connections between children’s involvement in dramatic play and the quality of early childhood environments

ABSTRACTDramatic play is a typical activity that provides many benefits for preschool children’s learning and development. This paper presents the findings of a mixed-method study that examined the level of preschool children’s involvement in dramatic play and the connection between this involvement and the quality of the classroom environment. The study assessed the involvement of 101 children’s involvement in dramatic play across four preschool classrooms. The quality of each classroom was evaluated using the Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale – Revised. Furthermore, video observations were collected to capture children’s interactions with physical elements of the classroom environment and their teacher. The findings have highlighted a positive connection between the quality of the classroom and the level of children’s involvement in dramatic play. Specifically, early childhood educators were shown to have a crucial and much needed role in guiding children’s involvement in dramatic play.

Cultural considerations of ECERS-3 in Sweden: a reflection on adaption

ABSTRACTQuality in early childhood education is an important topic in many countries. Research suggests that high-quality preschool provides many long-term benefits for young children and society. How to measure early childhood quality however can be problematic. One approach has been the use of the Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale (ECERS), an observational scale of the learning environment created in the United States of America. The scale has been used in over 30 countries and translated into different languages. This article discusses cultural issues in relation to the use of ECERS-3 in Swedish preschools. While many of the indicators are easily transferable, some need cultural consideration. These include understanding the Swedish child perspective as expressed in the preschool curriculum, Swedish preschool design and Swedish pedagogy around interaction and safety issues. The article suggests that an adaptation of the scale is needed to be implemented effectively in the Swedish preschool context.

The relationship between the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale and its revised form and child outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS) and its revised version (ECERS-R) were designed as global measures of quality that assess structural and process aspects of Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) programs. Despite frequent use of the ECERS/ECERS-R in research and applied settings, associations between it and child outcomes have not been systematically reviewed. The objective of this research was to evaluate the association between the ECERS/ECERS-R and children’s wellbeing. Searches of Medline, PsycINFO, ERIC, websites of large datasets and reference sections of all retrieved articles were completed up to July 3, 2015. Eligible studies provided a statistical link between the ECERS/ECERS-R and child outcomes for preschool-aged children in ECEC programs. Of the 823 studies selected for full review, 73 were included in the systematic review and 16 were meta-analyzed. The combined sample across all eligible studies consisted of 33, 318 preschool-aged children. Qualitative systematic review results revealed that ECERS/ECERS-R total scores were more generally associated with positive outcomes than subscales or factors. Seventeen separate meta-analyses were conducted to assess the strength of association between the ECERS/ECERS-R and measures that assessed children’s language, math and social-emotional outcomes. Meta-analyses revealed a small number of weak effects (in the expected direction) between the ECERS/ECERS-R total score and children’s language and positive behavior outcomes. The Language-Reasoning subscale was weakly related to a language outcome. The enormous heterogeneity in how studies operationalized the ECERS/ECERS-R, the outcomes measured and statistics reported limited our ability to meta-analyze many studies. Greater consistency in study methodology is needed in this area of research. Despite these methodological challenges, the ECERS/ECERS-R does appear to capture aspects of quality that are important for children’s wellbeing; however, the strength of association is weak.

Differences in childcare quality – a matter of personality traits, socialization goals and pre-service curriculum?

ABSTRACTInternational findings indicate only moderate childcare quality and results revealed significant differences between regions. So far, this difference cannot be explained by structural characteristics. Based on the National Study on Education, Learning and Upbringing in Early Childhood (NUBBEK) sample of 215 lead teachers, the influence of personality traits (Big Five) and socialization goals of childcare teachers on classroom quality (Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale) and teacher–child interaction (Caregiver Interaction Scale) was investigated. First, significant differences in childcare quality were found between East and West Germany regarding classroom and interaction quality. Second, hierarchical linear regression analyses revealed differential effects in quality by region. Besides structural characteristics, personality traits and socialization goals provided additional information to understand variations in childcare quality. Further, type of pre-service education curriculum played an important role in predicting childcare quality. The analysis revealed substantial differences which can be attributed to pre-service education. Findings are discussed with respect to models of pre-service and in-service educational approaches in early childcare.

The Evaluation of a Three-Tier Model of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports for Preschoolers in Head Start

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the overall effectiveness of a three-tier model of positive behavior interventions and supports (PBIS), which was developed and tested in Head Start (HS) programs. Ten HS classrooms from five HS programs participated in the current study. Results indicated that PBIS was effective in improving classroom quality as evidenced by a statistically significant change on the classroom organization domain on the Classroom Assessment Scoring System and the overall score on the Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale–Revised. We also found that children’s social skills on the Social Skills Rating System significantly increased from the pre- to post-assessment whereas problem behaviors on the Child Behavior Checklist decreased. The data described here are encouraging and add to the expanding database supporting the value of the three-tier model of PBIS.

Early childhood education quality and child outcomes in China: Evidence from Zhejiang Province

Despite high rates of Chinese kindergarteners (3–6 years old) enrollment in early care and education (ECE), the quality of that care has not been widely examined. Following rapid economic growth in urban areas in the past three decades, there are growing concerns within China that families in urban and rural areas are experiencing an ECE opportunity gap. To address this concern, this study examined ECE quality and its association with child outcomes based on a relatively large sample of kindergartens in China. Using a stratified and random sampling method, the study recruited 1, 012 children (age 3–6) from 178 classrooms in Zhejiang Province, a relatively developed region with a population of over 54 million people. We used the Chinese Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale to measure ECE quality and found moderately low quality for the study sample. Also, lower quality was observed in rural than urban areas, in private than public programs, and in programs with overall low parent education than those with high parent education. One dimension of quality, teaching and interactions, predicted child outcomes in language, early math, and social cognition as measured by the Children's Developmental Scale of China (age 3–6) in hierarchical linear models. The possible sociocultural and contextual reasons for these findings and implications for policymakers and practitioners are discussed in this paper.

Center-based early childhood care and education program quality: A South African study

We report on the first representative sample survey of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) program quality to be conducted in South Africa (n=242 ECCE centers). The Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale—Revised (ECERS-R) and Infant–Toddler Environmental Rating Scale—Revised (ITERS-R) were used to assess ECCE quality. A Center Management Quality measure based on South African center licensing requirements was constructed and administered to center supervisors. We found that classes for both younger and older children fall just above the ‘minimal’ quality level on both measures. Regression analyses were conducted to establish determinants of center quality. Predictors included: licensing and subsidy status, teacher information (age, highest qualification and years in ECCE), presence of a Reception Year class in the center, teacher–child ratio, weekly fees, management quality, center support and parent involvement. Outcome measures were ITERS-R and ECERS-R total scale scores. Fees charged and center management capacity were predicted the quality of the care and learning environment. The relationship between level of child deprivation in the community (as an indicator of child poverty) and ITERS-R and ECERS-R total scores was examined separately. A significant negative relationship was observed between program quality and the level of child deprivation in the area served by the center. Implications for improving center quality for disadvantaged children in South Africa are discussed.

Characteristics of Swedish preschools that provide education and care to children with special educational needs

In Sweden, preschool inclusion is embraced and preschools are open for children both with and without special educational needs. The purpose of this study was to examine the characteristics of a number of preschool units in Sweden that provide education and care to children with special educational needs with regard to organisation, resources and quality. The purpose was also to provide reflections on the usefulness of different structured observation rating scales designed to assess preschool quality. Eight preschool units located in four Swedish districts were visited. A total of sixteen 5-year-old children with special educational needs/disability and forty typically developing children of the same age participated. The data sources were structured observation rating scales (Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale, Caregiver Interaction Scale and Inclusive Classroom Profile), ABILITIES Index questionnaire, unstructured observation, interviews, conversations and documents. Two overall typologies of preschool units were identified: the comprehensive units enrolled children with various special educational needs/disability, while the specialised units enrolled children with the same disability. The staff resources were greater in the specialised units. The overall quality in the observed units ranged from low to good. In units educating children with a disability diagnosis, the quality was never low. None of the preschool units was scored as having a good inclusive environment. The structured observation rating scales complemented each other and covered, in part, different quality aspects of the units. The study shows that there is a large variation in quality between the units and that there is a need to further develop the quality of the preschool units and of the services for children with special educational needs in Swedish preschools.

Examining Program Quality Disparities Between Urban and Rural Kindergartens in China: Evidence From Zhejiang

In recent years, the Chinese government has initiated a national plan to universalize quality kindergartens for all age-eligible Chinese children. Kindergarten is the main form of early childhood education and care (ECEC) service across China. However, the government faces two thorny issues on the journey toward realizing educational equity for some of the nation’s most vulnerable children. The first issue is the critical shortage of kindergarten programs. The second issue is a widening gap in quality between rural and urban kindergarten programs. Therefore, this study examines the quality of 91 kindergarten programs across different locations and funding sources in Zhejiang Province based on a stratified random selection method to gain insights into the aspects and magnitude of quality disparities in programs serving children from the richest and most powerful urban residents to the most disadvantaged village families. Program quality was rated utilizing eight subscales of the Chinese Early Childhood Programs Rating Scale, modified from Harms, Clifford, and Cryer’s (2005) Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale. Finally, recommendations for future studies and policy formation are provided to enhance and perhaps hasten the process of universalizing quality kindergartens in the increasingly market-based context of modern China.

An analysis of Irish pre-school practice and pedagogy using the early childhood environmental four curricular subscales

This paper presents the findings of original research which applied the Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale Extension (ECERS/E) four Curricular Subscales in 26 pre-schools throughout Ireland to measure and assess the provision of literacy, maths, science and environment, and diversity as follows: inadequate, minimal, good or excellent. The rating instrument was chosen as it relates closely to the Relational Pedagogical (RP) approach in the Irish curriculum Aistear; the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework. The approach uses four interconnected themes well-being, identity and belonging, communicating and exploring and thinking. The results are analysed using quantitative ECERS/E findings and offer evidence-based empirical results on pre-school quality using international standards of best practice. The study reveals a minimal standard in the provision of literacy and maths. Provision in science and environment and diversity are inadequate. The findings have implications concerning the capacity of pre-school services to implement quality and curriculum frameworks Síolta and Aistear and question the appropriateness of the current pre-school inspection systems in improving standards.

Results From the Quality Early Childhood Training Program

High-quality child care is related to children's positive developmental outcomes. One way to increase quality of care is to provide training to child care providers. This study used assessment-based training to determine if overall quality of care in center-based preschools could be enhanced. Participants were recruited from six center-based child care programs serving preschool-age children and included program administrators, teachers, teacher aides, and enrolled children. Program administrators (N = 6) were assessed with the Program Administration Scale (Talan & Bloom, 2004), classrooms (N = 14) with the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale Revised (ECERS-R; Harms, Clifford, & Cryer, 2005) and the Early Language and Literacy Classroom Observation—Research Edition (ELLCO; Smith & Dickinson, 2002), teachers (N = 24) with the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS; Pianta, La Paro, & Hamre, 2007), and children (N = 135) with an author-created measurement designed to assess typical skills across five child domains. Assessments were administered at two time points and individualized targeted training was provided in between. Results demonstrated that after 7 months of intervention, the largest effect sizes were seen at the program administration and classroom levels and that smaller effect sizes were found at the teacher and child levels.

Escala para la Evaluación de la Educación Artística (EEEA)

El objetivo del presente trabajo es presentar el proceso de diseño y validación de la Escala para la Evaluación de la Educación Artística (EEEA). Se elaboró un cuestionario ex profeso con datos sociodemográficos y con preguntas específicas sobre la formación en educación artística; éste se dividió en dos secciones: I) Sección institución y II) Sección alumno(a). La primera sección fue conformada por las sub escalas: 1) características de la institución, 2) características del aula, 3) actividades artísticas, y 4) estructura del programa. Las cuatro se adaptaron de la Escala de Evaluación de Contextos Educativos Infantiles (ECERS-R, Harms & Clifford, 1980). Para la sección alumno(a) se construyeron cuatro sub escalas: 1) características del alumno con sus respectivas dimensiones (académicas, creatividad, artísticas, inteligencias múltiples, liderazgo, comportamientos éticos, inteligencia emocional y salud), 2) características de los padres, 3) características del maestro(a), y 4) interacción, con un total de 135 ítems. La escala EEEA se aplicó a 50 maestros y 50 padres de niños sordos que cursaban educación básica. Los valores de las alfas de las escalas analizadas revelaron consistencia interna dado que todas fueron mayores a .75.

The added value of the school of the 21st Century when combined with a statewide preschool program.

Although schools have begun to employ multiple programs to reach educational goals, little attention has been paid to the efficacy of combining separate programs. The present study investigates the combination of a school reform model, the School of the 21st Century (21C), and the Arkansas Better Chance (ABC) program, where preschools apply for state funds to provide high quality services to children at risk. To determine if 21C adds anything to the ABC program, the present study compared results from a developmental assessment. The authors compared school-based preschools that had both ABC and 21C services to those programs that offered only ABC services. Results indicated that, at baseline, children within the 21C/ABC programs scored the same or poorer than their ABC-only counterparts. However, at the end of the year, participants at 21C/ABC preschools were significantly ahead of ABC-only programs on all developmental indicators. There were also differences favorable to 21C/ABC preschools between the programs' quality ratings as measured by the Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale.

Quality Disparities in Child Care for At-Risk Children: Comparing Head Start and Non-Head Start Settings

The study objectives are to describe child care type and quality experienced by developmentally at-risk children, examine quality differences between Head Start and non-Head Start settings, and identify factors associated with receiving higher-quality child care. Data are analyzed from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Survey, Birth Cohort, a prospective study of a nationally representative sample of US children born in 2001. The sample consisted of 7,500 children who were assessed at 48months of age. The outcome of interest is child care quality, measured by the Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale (center care) and the Family Day Care Rating Scale (family day care). Results of descriptive and multivariate regression analyses are presented. Less than one-third of poor children were in Head Start. Child care quality was higher in Head Start centers than other centers, particularly among poor children (4.75 vs. 4.28, p<0.001), Hispanics (4.90 vs. 4.45, p<0.001), and whites (4.89 vs. 4.51, p<0.001). African Americans experienced the lowest quality care in both Head Start and non-Head Start centers. Quality disadvantage was associated with Head Start family care settings, especially for low birthweight children (2.04 in Head Start vs. 3.58 in non-Head Start, p<0.001). Lower family day care quality was associated with less maternal education and African American and Hispanic ethnicity. Center-based Head Start provides higher quality child care for at-risk children, and expansion of these services will likely facilitate school readiness in these populations. Quality disadvantages in Head Start family day care settings are worrisome and warrant investigation.