Environment Rating Scale Professional Development Seminars SACERS: School-Age Care Environment Rating Scale (Used with permission of the authors and the publisher)

Objectives Participants will be able to:  Describe the basic indicators of quality child care and the methods for measuring the quality of care  Conduct self-assessment of classrooms using the SACERS PA Key 07-11

Who should use the SACERS Scale?  Kindergarten only = ECERS  School-age (1 st day of 1 st grade and older) only = SACERS  Mixed Kindergarten and School-age = determined by the majority of the children enrolled PA Key 07-11

SACERS Scale ~ A Process Quality Assessment Tool PA Key 07-11

PLAY  Fosters social – emotional learning  Enhances language development  Encourages creativity PA Key 07-11

Additional Resources Notes for Clarification Updates can be found on the authors’ website: PA Position Statements Updates can be found on the PA Key’s website: (click on Quick links) Caring for Our Children Handbook for Public Playground Safety Information and Links for Inclusive Practices PA Key 07-11

School- Age Care Environment Rating Scale Subscales SACERS Items Indicators Structure of the SACERS PA Key 07-11

Numbering the Indicators PA Key 07-11

PA Key 07-11

How are the items scored? 7 point scale 1 Inadequate – children may be at risk 3 Minimal – basic health and safety addressed 5 Good – developmentally appropriate programming 7Excellent - enhanced developmentally appropriate programming 2, 4, and 6 are mid-points – “half way there” PA Key 07-11

Environment Rating Scale Scoring Inadequate (1) Column All indicators must be scored NO (False) to move up, if any are YES (True), score is 1.  STOP SCORING PA Key 07-11

Environment Rating Scale Scoring Minimal (3), Good (5) and Excellent (7) Columns If all indicators at each level are scored YES :  CONTINUE TO NEXT LEVEL. PA Key 07-11

Environment Rating Scale Scoring Minimal (3), Good (5) and Excellent (7) Columns Any no answer at these levels complete only that column then STOP:  If HALF or MORE are YES (True), go back one point.  If LESS than HALF are YES (True), go back two points. PA Key 07-11

SACERS - Practice Scoring Activity What is the correct score? YNYNYNYN 1.1  3.1  5.1  7.1  3.2  5.2  7.2  PA Key 07-11

SACERS - Practice Scoring Activity What is the correct score? YNYNYNYN 1.1  3.1  5.1  7.1  3.2  5.2  7.2  PA Key 07-11

Exceptions to the Rule Scoring NO at the Minimal (3) level:  #13 Health practices on pg. 15  #28 Greeting and departing on pg. 23  #29 Staff - Child interactions and 3.2 on pg. 25 PA Key 07-11

 Space and Furnishings  Health and Safety  Activities  Interactions  Program Structure  Staff Development  Special Needs Supplementary Items PA Key 07-11

What does it mean to PA Key 07-11

Bleach and Water  ¼ cup per gallon or  1 Tbsp. per quart  Mixed Daily  Contact time = 2 minutes PA Key 07-11

All Other Products  EPA Number  Mixed Correctly  Used Correctly PA Key 07-11

Item 20 Item 22 Item 26 Item 25 Item 24 Item 23 Item 27 Item 7 PA Key 07-11

Must be observed  #24 Language/Reasoning 5.2 and 5.3  #25 Math/ Reasoning 5.2  #26 Science/Nature 5.3  #35 Staff Interactions 5.4 PA Key 07-11

 #12 Health Policy – 7.1  #13 Health Practices- 5.1  #14 Emergency & Safety Policy- 5.2  #15 Safety Practices- 3.1  #18 Meals and Snacks-3.5, 3.6, 5.1  #19 Personal Hygiene- 3.2, 3.3, 5.1, 5.2 PA Key 07-11

Item 31 PA Key 07-11

Consider age appropriateness of provisions Staff should support and extend opportunities for children to engage in drama on a deeper level PA Key 07-11

Cultural Awareness Item 27 PA Key 07-11

Interactions PA Key 07-11

Indicators: 3.1 and 5.1 Please refer to the PA Position Statements and Keystone Stars Standards. PA Key 07-11

PA Key 07-11

 Will not interact with the children or adults during the observation.  Will be looking at all materials and may ask to see items stored in closets.  Will be observing routines for hand washing meal/snack and diapering/toileting.  Will need time to ask questions after the observation. PA Key 07-11

To Accurately Assess Quality: Observe Read Listen Record PA Key 07-11

SACERS Assessments and CQI Process  I have my Summary Reports ~ Now what?  It’s all about setting goals.  Support is available! PA Key 07-11

Self Reflection Tool  Helps programs look at current practices.  Gives programs talking points to help make improvements or refining existing skills PA Key 07-11

PA Key 07-11

PA Key 07-11

PA Key 07-11