Formal Rating and Environment Rating Scales In YoungStar, a formal rating requires a child care program to have an Environment Rating Scale (ERS) observation performed within some of their classrooms. ERS tools provide an overall picture of the environment within an early childhood setting. ERS tools are used in YoungStar for those programs who want to earn a 4 or 5 Star rating. In-depth information about the scales is available on the Environment Rating Scales Institute (ERSI) website. The following document contains tips for programs that have decided to pursue a Formal Rating in YoungStar: Tips for Preparing for a Formal Rating Introducing the Newly Updated ERS-3 Tools YoungStar moved to the newly updated Environment Rating Scale (ERS) tools on January 2021. The following handouts are meant as an overview of some of the changes you can expect. Prior to the change taking place, YoungStar and your local Child Care Resource and Referral agency will provide you with trainings that will describe and explain the differences between the current ERS tools (-R) and the updated tools (-3). Continue to check this page for updated information. *Please Note: The School-Age Care Environment Rating Scale (SACERS) has not been updated and therefore YoungStar will continue to use the SACERS-U. Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale-3 (ITERS-3) Making the Switch to the Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale-3 - Handout Making the Switch to the Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale-3 - Flyer Preparing for the Switch to the Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale-3 - Handout Wisconsin Interpretation for the ITERS-3 - Spanish ITERS-3 Additional Notes for Clarification Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-3 (ECERS-3) Making the Switch to the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-3 - Handout Making the Switch to the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-3 - Flyer Preparing for the Switch to the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-3 - Handout Wisconsin Interpretation for the ECERS-3 - Spanish ECERS-3 Additional Notes for Clarification Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale-3 (FCCERS-3) Making the Switch to the Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale-3 - Handout Making the Switch to the Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale-3 - Flyer Preparing for the Switch to the Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale-3 - Handout Wisconsin Interpretation for the FCCERS-3 - Spanish FCCERS-3 Additional Notes for Clarification Resources for Environment Rating Scale-R Tools Choose the Environment Rating Scale that best fits the type of care you provide and the age of children in your care: Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale (ITERS) Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale-Revised (ITERS-R) Used for group child care classrooms that serve children birth to 30 months of age. The ITERS-R Clarification document provides further explanation for some of the terms used within the tool. Wisconsin Interpretation of Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale (ITERS-R) Additional Resources Supplementary materials for the ITERS-R All About the ITERS-R (Kaplan Early Learning Company) Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS) Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-Revised (ECERS-R) Used for group child care classrooms that serve children 2 1/2 years through 5 years of age. The ECERS-R Clarification document provides further explanation for some of the terms used within the tool. Wisconsin Interpretation of Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS-R) Additional Resources Supplementary materials for the ECERS-R The ECERS-R (Kaplan Early Learning Company) Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale (FCCERS) Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale (FCCERS-R) Used for all ages of children in family child care settings The FCCERS-R Clarification document (also available in Spanish) provides further explanation for some terms used within the tool. Wisconsin Interpretation of Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale (FCCERS-R) -- Spanish Version Additional Resources Supplementary materials for the FCCERS-R School-Age Care Environment Rating Scale (SACERS) School-Age Care Environment Rating Scale-Updated (SACERS-U) Used for group child care settings that serve children 5 years through 12 years of age. The SACERS-U Clarification document provides further explanation for some of the terms used within the tool. Wisconsin Interpretation of School-Age Care Environment Rating Scale (SACERS-U) Wisconsin Interpretation of SACERS-U (2021/22) Additional Resources Supplementary materials for the SACERS-U SACERS-U Changes - Environment Rating Scales Institute (ESRI) Tip Sheets from Child Care Resources, Inc. Tips for Improving Your SACERS Score: How to Improve Your Score! Tips for Improving Your SACERS Score: Health and Safety Tips for Improving Your SACERS Score: Activities Tips for Improving Your SACERS Score: Interactions and Program Structure Tips for Improving Your SACERS Score: Staff Development and Special Needs General ERS Resources ERS Frequently Asked Questions - From the Environmental Rating Scale Institute (ESRI) "Informing Quality Practices Every Day" - PowerPoint presentation on Environment Rating Scales by Kristen Suer, M.Ed Comparison of Items Between ITERS-R and ECERS-R Fire Codes, Wall Display and Environment Rating Scale Top 10 Tips for a Better ERS Assessment - Child Care Resources Inc.
