The Environment Rating Scales looks for a lot of “stuff” in your environment. There are many other facets to the ERS, but here is a fun scavenger hunt to look for the stuff part of the ERS
Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale Scavenger Hunt
r Comfortable adult seating
r Child sized chairs (feet touch the floor or adapted to work for children)
r Soft toys (2X the number of children)
r Soft furnishings (chair, couch, bean bag chair, etc.)
r Accessible shelves/bins/baskets for materials
r Self help (stepstool at sink, labels for materials)
r Two spaces for 1-2 children to play alone
r Colorful pictures/posters displayed
r Photos of the children/families/pets at eye level
r Individualized children’s art displayed at eye level
r Book area
r Books (20+)
r Books that display diversity in:
Race/Culture _____
Abilities _______
Age ______
r Books about:
Animals _______
Non-fiction/factual _______
Fantasy ________
Nature/science ________
Familiar experiences ________
r Fine motor items: (how many of each)
Infant toys ______
Toddler toys _______
Interlocking building toys ______
Art _______
Manipulatives _______
Puzzles _______
r Art materials: (how many)
Drawing ______________
Paints _______________
3D ________________
Collage _______________
Tools _______________
r Music instruments (10+) __________
r Dance props/music to listen to ________
r Three types of recorded music:
1.
2.
3.
r Two types of blocks (at least 10 of each) for infants/toddlers
1.
2.
r Two types of blocks (at least 10 of each) for preschoolers
1.
2.
r Near blocks:
r Transportation
r Animals
r People
r Dolls with 3 skin types
r Doll props and furniture
r Telephones
r Soft animals
r Pots/pans
r Female Dress ups
r Male Dress ups
r Other diversity in dramatic play props
r Play furniture
r Foods
r Dishes/eating utensils
r Doll house
r Additional dramatic play theme(s)
r Math/Number/Shape materials
r Number/shape toys for infants/toddlers
r Counting
r Measuring
r Comparing quantities
r Shapes
r Written numbers
r Sand play indoors or outdoors
r Water play indoors or outdoors
r Nature/Science materials
r Collections of natural objects
r Living things
r Nature/science books, games, toys, pictures
r Nature/science tools
r Ten items that show diversity (not counting dolls)
r Race
r Culture
r Age
r Abilities
r Gender
r Items in all areas rotated
r Items in all areas labeled
r Outdoors:
r 2 surfaces
r Protection from rain
7-9 skills children can do outdoors:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
