Understanding ITERS-R: Enhancing Early Childhood Education Quality

1. So This is the ITERS-R! Presented by Becky Slone University of Kentucky, HDI Child Care Aware of Kentucky Early Care and Education TA Specialist: Quality

2. Objectives: • Participants will be able to identify important terms used throughout the scale • Participants will be able to describe and assign quality scores to indicators in various scale items • Participants will be able to accurately score items using practice score sheet and practice scenarios • To Refresh enthusiasm for use of ITERS-R This is the material as I know it today. Subject to change per “Additional Notes for Clarification by the authors”

3. Outcomes • Staff will understand the intent of the indicators according to the authors of the ITERS-R, and as used in Kentucky’s QRIS/TQRIS • Staff will understand how to score the indicators by applying use of supplemental materials

4. ITERS-R Applications • Classroom Assessments by program • NAEYC Accreditation Preparation • Kentucky’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (KIDS Now and Kentucky All STARS) • Other (Head Start Prism Review)

5. Basic Components of Quality • Protection of children’s health and safety • Building relationships with: children, parents, extended family, and community • Opportunities for stimulation and learning from experiences ---Harms, Clifford, Cryer

6. Topical Areas of the ITERS-R • Space and Furnishings • Personal Care Routines • Listening and Talking • Activities • Interactions • Program Structure • Parents and Staff

7. Supplemental Resources • Playground Safety Information Sheet • USDA Meal Guidelines • Handwashing and Diapering Procedures • Table Washing Procedure • Additional Notes for Clarifications (Authors Notes) • “ALL ABOUT ITERS-R” - Kaplan Co. • Local QC (Quality Coach) working with UK, Child Care Aware (Janel Melby or Mary Davis)

8. Important Terms • Accessible - #3 3.2 • Appropriate – #5 3.2 • Available - #19 1.1 • And - #2 7.2, #6 5.1 • Child-size - #2 5.2 • Hand washing - #7 1.3 • Much of the Day - #3 5.1 (and activity items) • Or - #3 3.1, #7 5.1 • Provided - #21 3.1 • Some -#2 5.2, #13 3.2 #15 3.1 • Staff - #6 3.4 • Varied - #20 5.1 • Many - #15 5.1,

9. Demonstration of Procedures • Practice Hand-washing procedure • Practice Diapering procedure • Paper Ball Toss Game

10. Summary • Open mind needed – no preconceived ideas • ITERS-R versatility • Three Components of Quality – foundation • Two types of Quality – Process and Structural • Topical areas (subscales) • Important terms and definitions • Vital Resources to Supplement the Scale • Questions?

11. Seven NA Items • # 8 – Nap – Programs 4 hours or less (“children do not seem tired”) • #17 - Art – younger than 12 months • #19 – Blocks – younger than 12 months • #21 – Sand & water play – younger than 18 months • #23 – TV – If NEVER used • #31 – Group Play – If group play activities are NEVER used • #32 – Provisions for children w/ disabilities – if none are enrolled

12. Important Charting • Greeting/Departing – Item 6 • Handwashing – meals/snacks, toileting/diapering, health practices, Items 7, 9, and10 • Talking to and with children – Items #12 and 13 • Adding to children’s words and ideas - #13

13. Language and Talking Details • Observations Required • Examples listed • Document proof • (If there is no documentation, it didn’t happen!)

14. Activities Areas - Details • Much of the Day • How Many Interest Areas • How Many Materials • Traffic Patterns

15. More Details… • Item # 16: Active Physical Plan • - Protection of fenced playgrounds? Adequate indoor space? • Appropriate Equipment • Equipment height • Challenge vs. Hazards

16. Media Details • Use of TV/video – NEVER with children under 24 months (per Authors) • Use of computer/screen time – 30 minutes total, once a week, and • No more than15 minutes at a time per day for computers

17. Presentation Summary • Q & A • Thank you for coming! Contact Info for Becky Slone Becky.slone@uky.edu 877-629-9722 Ext. 6068784788