New Year - Looking Ahead!

As the New Year approaches, it’s time to look ahead to the timeline for Early Achievers. 

This is a little review of what we talked about when you first became an Early Achiever.

Each of you has 1 year from the time you joined Early Achievers to complete the basic Level 2 steps.  These are what we called the “10,000 Foot Level” steps.  This does not make you a “Level 2”, rating comes later…

Beginning in July for some of you, and a bit later for others, depending on when you joined, you will need to have completed the following steps:

Online Training   http://www.wachildcaretraining.com/

¤  Washington State Early Learning Guidelines

¤  Washington State Core Competencies for Early Care and Education Professionals

¤  Introduction to the Environment Rating Scale (ERS) & Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS)

In Person Training  http://childcare.org/providers/training-schedule-ea.asp#EAT 

¤  Introduction to Cultural Competence

¤  Strengthening Families

¤  School Readiness

MERIT Registration for all Staff

Self Assessment with ERS  I’ll help you do this as we get closer to your one hear date

Quality Standards Checklist   I’ll help you do this as we get closer to your one hear date

Level 2 Application   I’ll help you do this as we get closer to your one hear date

Readiness Tool   I’ll help you do this as we get closer to your one hear date

Most of you have completed the online and in-person trainings already and are working on making sure all staff records are updated in MERIT.  As we move into 2013, I’ll work with you on the steps at the end of the list in preparation for the next phase.

As you all know, though, my work with you is more around preparing for your eventual rating!  This is what we called the “Ground Level” work.  For this, we are working on getting to know, and to practice with, the two assessment tools that the University of Washington will be using:

The Environmental Rating Scale  (ERS)

The Classroom Assessment Scoring System

The other main area of work for us together is to assess the point system.  Early Achievers rating is based on a 100 point scale.  The ERS score is worth up to 15 points in the Early Achievers 100 points.  The CLASS score is worth up to 40 points in the Early Achievers 100 point system.  We will also look at the other 45 points of that 100 point scale to make sure you are on track with what they will be looking for.  These points are found in the Early Achievers Companion to the Quality Standards.  http://del.wa.gov/publications/elac-qris/docs/EA_facility_companion.pdf

Once we feel that your potential score is meeting the goals we have set together, then we will move toward your UW assessment.  This can happen at any time you are ready within 24 months of when you joined Early Achievers.  Some programs will begin this process soon, others later in 2013 and some not until 2014. 

Once you are assessed and your points have been calculated, you will then receive your rating.  Once rated, you will have access to your coach and your improvement funding.

Looks like 2013 will be an exciting year!!!  My calendar is open and I am ready to book site visits with you to move forward!!