The Scales
Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale - Third Edition (ECERS-3)
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The third edition of the ECERS is designed to assess the quality of care for center-based programs serving children ages 3-5. The ECERS-3 published 2015, is the second major revision of this scale, with the original scale published in 1980 and a second edition (ECERS-R) published in 1998. A brief overview of the changes from ECERS-R to
ECERS-3 can be found here. ​​​​​​
Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale - Third Edition (FCCERS-3)
The third edition of the FCCERS is designed to assess the quality of care for home-based programs for children from birth through age 12. The FCCERS-3 published 2019, is the second major revision of this scale, with the original scale published in 1989 and a second edition (FCCERS-R) published in 2007. A brief overview of the changes from FCCERS-R to FCCERS-3 can be found here. ​​
Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale - Third Edition (ITERS-3)
The third edition of the ITERS is designed to assess the quality of care for center-based programs serving children birth through age 2. The ITERS-3 published 2017, is the second major revision of this scale, with the original scale published in 1990 and a second edition (ITERS-R) published in 2003. A brief overview of the changes from ITERS-R to ITERS-3 can be found here.​
School-Age Care Environment Rating Scale - Updated Edition (SACERS-U)
The updated edition of the SACERS is designed to assess the quality of programs for school-age children (ages 5-12), during out-of-school time (e.g. before/after school care). The SACERS-U published 2014, is an updated version of the original scale published in 1996.
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More information on the older editions of the scales
(ECERS-R, ITERS-R, FCCERS-R) can be found here
What's the difference between the Revised (R's) and the 3rd editions?
Revised (R's) Editions:
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Focuses more on materials and classroom arrangement.
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Based off 3-hour observation and post-observation interview questions.
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Optional parent and staff section.
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Access to materials is determined by "substantial portion of the day" and "much of the day".
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Provisions for children with disabilities included in 4 items in Program Structure.
3rd Editions:
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Greater focus on teaching and interaction in regard to materials.
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Based entirely on the 3-hour observation; no post-interviews.
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Parent and staff section not included.
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Access to materials is determined either by specific time requirements (ECERS-3) or assessing lapses in access to materials based on ages and abilities (ITERS-3 and FCCERS-3).
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Provisions for children with disabilities incorporated into items throughout the scales.
Curriculum resources
All About
Preschoolers
This comprehensive two volume curriculum set, designed for all preschoolers was written by Debby Cryer, a leading expert in the field of early childhood and one of the authors of the Environment Rating Scales; and Cathy Riley, one of the authors of the All About ECERS-R™ and an expert team of five other authors in the early childhood field. The curriculum meets the standards of ECERS-R™ with more than 650 pages and over 600 illustrative photographs and several curriculum plans. Based on many years of developmental research and appropriate learning theory, it has been carefully designed to be used in preschool classrooms and includes time-proven successful practices. This curriculum is academically enriched, reinforcing cognitive skill development, science, math and social studies, through meaningful content around standards of learning.
all about resources
The All About resource guides interpret each item and indicator on the scale, and provide photographs of real-world settings. It will help you use the ERS to accurately assess your early learning environment in the areas of cognitive, social-emotional, and physical development, as well as health and safety standards.
all about
ECERS-3
all about
ITERS-3
