Understanding How to Use a ECERS in a Pre-K Classroom - Circle Time and More...

In this video, Erica walks you through how to effectively use the ECERS (Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale) to prepare your Pre-K classroom for a quality rating or accreditation visit. Watch as she provides practical tips on enhancing key classroom areas like the block area, creating privacy spaces, setting up circle time, and organizing a welcoming book center. These strategies will help you meet ECERS standards and create a more engaging, enriching learning environment for your students.

👉 Watch now to get expert insights on optimizing your classroom and improving your ECERS score!

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[Kyubey]

Thank you so much for this informational video. I am a first year teacher in NY and I was picked for ECERS. The visuals give a more clear indication of what the classroom should be like.

[childcaredirectorschair]

Let us know what you think about circle time in a play-based mixed age group. We can not wait to hear from you.

[tmko-skes]

I'm a very new preschool teacher, and what I've learned to do during my circle time is to make it extremely fun, and the children want to engage. For example, I have all 3 year old children and one 4 year old who is very advanced, I will have him demonstrate how to write his or how to recognize their numbers and alphabets. He's like my assistant teacher 😂 from doing that my younger students really want to do everything he's doing and they're ready to learn 😊 as for my more difficult children, I'll have one of the teacher assistants do one on one activities until they show interest in what the other children are doing.

[stephaniereeves]

Thank you!! So nice to “see”, it explained.

[susanzapata]

Question...for a 7 hour program (Full day Preschool) how many minutes should we schedule for Center free play and Outdoor play?

[jeannenebabor]

I thought we had to use a linear calendar. I thought we couldn’t do a traditional calendar. The main problem I have with ECERS is everything is so subjective. I thought we couldn’t ask children to come to circle time. I thought they had a choice to come. But then what happens if if the ECERS is there and no one comes.

[MariaNewman-bu]

During Meeting time and through my observation I observe some children are not able to set for a long period during morning meeting. I will aske the child what they would like to do and have a teacher to set with the child to futher undrestand their learning and interest, as well as their social interactions.

[jeannenebabor]

How do you make students pick a difficult person to play with. Some students have a preferred friends. Some students don’t get along, or argue when together. If it is totally their choice you will always choose a friend.

[falconeddie]

ECERS is great for dumbing down children. As a kindergarten teacher, the kids who went through play based ECERS struggle academically. When I taught kindergarten, kids were expected to read 100 sight words, and admin expects them to independently read grade level books, then they have to take online quizzes based on each book.
Going from ECERS play based preschool program, to the rigorous academics of kindergarten is just cruel.

[jeannenebabor]

But I thought you couldn’t tell a child they can’t play in an area. So if 17 children want to go to dramatic play you aren’t supposed to tell a child they can’t play in that area. You can’t say no to the kids. That is what we were told. I have popsicle sticks, with names. They take their name and attach it to a sign in the area. Each sign has the number of spaces allowed in the area. I was told this was fine but if other students want to go in the area they can. Then why have it?

[anngavey]

sorry, this would bomb in a Montessori class! too busy, too distracting and busy!!!