Palm Beach Environment Rating Scale

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ERS Additional Notes for Clarification

From time to time the authors of the Environment Rating Scale post notes for clarification on the ERS tools.  These notes are designed to explain and offer detail to the tool , not to change the tool.  We encourage you to review these notes to help your understanding of the ERS.

Notes for clarification for the ITERS (Infant-Toddler)

Notes for clarification for the ECERS (Pre-school)

Notes for clarification for the FCCERS (Family Child Care)

Environment Rating Scale Reference Materials

The authors of the Environment Rating Scale use the following references for the Environment Rating Scales:

Caring for our Children:    

Public Playground Safety Handbook: 

Handwashing Procedures

Diapering Procedures

Supplemental Playground Information (SPI) and USDA Meal Guidelines, Substantial portion of the Day chart:

   

Environment Rating Scale - Overview Digital Presentation

Helpful Provider Digital Resources

Physical Space Video

Notes related to the Physical Space Video:   

  • Clicking #6 indicates “3 dimensional hanging art.” The art shown is NOT 3 dimensional  
  • Clicking #10 indicates  “children can create space to be alone or in groups of 2.” The situation shown is one child sitting on a large block area rug.

Activities:  

  • Art – includes the use of a stapler. Stapler use in ECERS may be okay (but not best practice), providing there is close supervision.  
  • Block Play – “Block that stick together” are listed as a block type. Blocks that stick together are generally considered manipulatives.  
  • The unit blocks shown in the photo are stacked too high.  
  • The list of blocks needed for toddlers is vague. More detail, from p.40 ITERS spiral, is needed.

 

Health & Safety Video

Notes related to the Health & Safety Video:   

Toileting and Diapering  

  • Skips step of wetting hands before applying soap  
  • Instructs to rub hands for 10 seconds, should be 20 seconds  
  • Video hands are not wet before applying soap. Staff instructs child to turn off the water before getting a paper towel.

Diapering:

  • The things to get ready before the diaper change does not include a change of clothes and a plastic bag to put soiled/wet clothes in  

Steps to Follow when Diapering:

In the cartoon image, the changing table does not have a “lip.”  
Tells you to throw away the diaper 2 times, once after removing the diaper and once after wiping the child.  
Does not mention using wipes on the child and adult’s hands before putting on the new diaper/redressing.  
Hand washing should be at least 20 seconds, not at least 10 seconds.  

  • Diaper Changing Video: (can not always see the diaper changing table and child during the video)  
  • Adult is not shown “getting everything needed” before the diaper change.  
  • Did not use wipes before  rediapering/redressing  
  • Did not wet child’s hands before applying soap  
  • Turns off water without paper towel
  • Instructions on sanitizing the diaper area are incomplete. Adult is shown spraying the table with a liquid and wiping immediately. The area needs to be sprayed and wiped with a soap/water solution and then sprayed with a bleach/water solution, allowed to dry at least 10 seconds and then wiped.
  • Adult wets just one hand before applying soap.  
  • Water turned off without a paper towel.

Greeting and Departing: 

  • Mentions children should be greeted using their first name. In video the child is referred to as “little “ Man.

Meals:

  • Hand washing should be at least 20 seconds, not at least 10 seconds.  
  • Bottle feeding – children’s hands need to be washed after bottle feeding if they “assisted” in holding the bottle.