In the Environment Rating Scale (ERS) there are terms Much of the Day (ITERS and FCCERS) and Substantial portion of the day (ECERS).
These terms are huge in that they affect the scores in as many as 11 different areas. If you miss much of the day/substantial portion of the day, each of the 11 areas may be lowered from a 5,6 or 7 score to a maximum of 4. We don’t want that to happen!!
For preschool classrooms in centers, Substantial portion of the day means your materials are available for children to use at least 1/3 of the time they are there.
For infant/toddler rooms or FCC programs, much of the day means almost all of the time the children are there. If children are limited from play materials for more than 20 minutes, the scores will be affected.
Times that will count against substantial portion of the day/much of the day include:
Group times (circle time, group art projects, etc.)
Lengthy routines (long waits for handwashing, diapering, etc.)
Any times children are restricted for materials (some areas “closed”, only items on tables available, rotating through activities without free choice)
What does this mean – LOTS OF FREE PLAY and FREE CHOICE will give you increased points!
I was wondering if outside time counts against "much of the day?"
ReplyDeleteHi Marissa. Outside time does not typically count against much of the day unless they children are outside for an unusually long time (1/3 of the day) and then it would be factored into much of the day. See below:
ReplyDeleteIf children are kept outdoors for extremely long periods (1/3 of the day or more), thus limiting access to materials typically used indoors, then to give credit for “much of the day”, such materials must be provided outdoors as well.