Environment Rating Scales

Introduction

In YoungStar, an Environment Rating Scale (ERS) observation score is one piece of the YoungStar Evaluation Criteria. Providers that choose to be rated by YoungStar Connect and are eligible to earn a 3, 4, or 5 Star rating will be given the opportunity to be observed using the appropriate Environment Rating Scale(s). Providers that are not accredited or an official Head Start site must complete one or more ERS observations to achieve a 4 or 5 Star rating. A provider’s average observation score, along with how the provider was assessed in other areas of quality (lead provider/staff education, business & professional practices, and health and well-being), is used to generate an overall star rating.

What are the ERS tools and how do they work?

The Environment Rating Scales (ERS) are research-based tools used to assess quality in early childhood programs. The ERS are widely used throughout the U.S. and abroad to optimize the quality of early learning environments for young children.

Each ERS tool includes a set of specific items that are grouped into subscales. Each subscale is related to an aspect of program quality that is being observed (eg. physical space, activities, staff-child interactions, personal care routines). Each item is rated, based on what the observer sees, on a seven-point scale, ranging from 1 to 7:

1 = Inadequate (potentially dangerous for children)
3 = Minimal (basic care)
5 = Good (developmentally appropriate care)
7 = Excellent (best quality care)

Scores for items within each subscale are averaged to determine the overall subscale score. The subscale scores are then averaged to determine an overall observation score. For providers where multiple ERS observations are required, these observation scores are then averaged to determine an overall program score. This scoring method allows providers to choose which areas they want (or can) improve in and which areas may not be important or even possible. The goal is not to achieve a perfect score in all items- the goal is to achieve an average score that moves the program environment beyond minimal or basic care practices.

For family child care providers, an average program score of 3.25 is required to meet the ERS 4 Star requirement and an average score of 4.25 is required to meet the 5 Star requirement.

For group child care providers, an average program score of 3.5 is required to meet the ERS 4 Star requirement and an average score of 4.5 is required to meet the 5 Star requirement.

For out of school time care providers, an average program score of 4.0 is required to meet the ERS 4 Star requirement and an average score of 5.0 is required to meet the 5 Star requirement.

General resources to get started

Top 10 Tips to Remember when using ERS-3 Scales

Los 10 mejores consejos para recordar al usar las escalas ERS-3

Public Playground Safety Handbook

Contact our ERS Observer team for specific questions at ERSsupport@youngstarconnect.com

Resources by Scale

Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale, 3rd Edition (ITERS-3)

The third edition of the ITERS is designed to assess the quality of care for classrooms serving children birth through age 2 in center-based care. Below are some resources to get you started as you dive into the tool.

Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale, 3rd Edition (ECERS-3)

The third edition of the ECERS is designed to assess the quality of care for classrooms serving children ages 3-5 in center-based programs. Below are some resources to get you started as you dive into the tool.

Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale, 3rd Edition (FCCERS-3)

The third edition of the FCCERS is designed to assess the quality of care for family child care provider settings serving children from birth through age 12.

School-Age Care Environment Rating Scale, Updated Version (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).