The Early Childhood Quality Rating Scale – Emergent Curriculum (ECQRS-EC) is designed to measure the quality of support for literacy, mathematics, and science in pre-school settings.
Although different curricular frameworks are used around the world, there is increasing agreement that emerging academic skills should be supported by a playful pedagogy. The ECQRS-EC substantially updates the ECERS-E which was the first observational scale to focus directly on the development of emergent academic skills. This evidence-based tool also includes a subscale dedicated to diversity and inclusion to help educators support gender and cultural differences in children 3-6 years old who are developing at different rates.
This revised quality rating scale recognises the important role of the adult in providing children with high-quality interactions and can be used for research, teacher self-evaluation, and programme improvement, audit and regulation.
Introduction to the Early Childhood Quality Rating Scale-Emergent Curriculum (ECQRS-EC)
The underlying principles of ECQRS-EC
Rationale for the development of new items and indicators in the ECQRS-EC
Content of the ECQRS-EC
Important information before you start
Preparing to use the ECQRS-EC: Timing, Contextual information, Definition, Optional scoring system
Conducting the observation
Scoring the scales
ECQRS-EC and the ‘spirit of the scales’: Caution in use, ECQRS-EC as a self-assessment tool
Making judgements
Use of supplementary (non-observation) evidence
Score sheet, joint observations sheet, profile
Content of the scales
Subscale 1: Language and Emergent Literacy Items 1 - 7
Items
1 Environmental Print: Letters and words
2 Book and literacy areas
3 Adults reading with children
4 Sounds in words
5 Emergent writing/mark making
6 Talking and listening
7 Words and sentences
Subscale 2: Emergent Mathematics Items 8 – 11c
Items
8 Counting and application of counting
9 Understanding and representing number
10 Maths talk and thinking mathematically
Select either 11a, 11b or 11c
11a Mathematical Activities: Shape
11b Mathematical Activities: Sorting, matching, comparing
11c Mathematical Activities: Subitising
Subscale 3: Emergent Science Items 12 - 15
Items
12 Natural materials
13 Areas featuring science/science resources
14 Developing scientific thinking and the scientific process
Select either 15a, 15b or 15c
15a Science Activities: Nonliving
15b Science Activities: Living processes
15c Science Activities: Food preparation
Subscale 4: Supporting Diversity and Inclusion Items 16 - 18
Items
16 Planning for and supporting individual learning needs
17 Gender equality and awareness
18 Race equality and awareness
The ECQRS-EC information sheet
Rough plan of indoor and outdoor areas being observed
Score sheets
Joint observation/inter-rater reliability for the ECQRS-EC
ECQRS-EC Profile
References
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