OBSERVATIONS

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An ITERS-3 observation lasts for 3 hours. During the observation, the observer carefully notes the children's individual schedules, ensuring all children are receiving regular access to play materials, meals/snacks, and toileting/diapering. The observer will note the play materials and determine whether they are appropriate and plentiful for the age group. The indoor and outdoor environments are observed for age-appropriate challenging gross motor equipment and safety hazards. Of key importance is the interactions teachers have with the children throughout the observation.

Immediately following the observation, the observer will meet with the classroom teacher(s) for ~30 minutes for a debrief, providing them with immediate tailored feedback. The program will receive the observer's scoresheet with helpful notes to improve their quality. The program will also receive a list of recommended play materials to add to the classroom to enhance children's learning and meet the ITERS-3 requirements. 

ITERS-3 is the assessment tool used for Colorado Shines observations in infant and toddler classrooms where children are between 0-3 years old. Having a baseline assessment done ahead of an official Colorado Shines rating helps programs prepare, make changes, and improve quality. 

Each observed staff member can use an ITERS-3 observation to earn demonstrated competency points for their Early Childhood Professional Credential 3.0 in PDIS. The observer will provide the program/teacher with necessary documentation to upload to PDIS.

An ECERS-3 observation lasts for 3 hours. During the observation, the observer will take note of play materials in the classroom, time children's access to materials, assess the indoor classroom and outdoor gross motor environment, observe all health and safety practices including hand washing, table cleaning, and toileting, and note all teacher-child interactions. 

Immediately following the observation, the observer will meet with the classroom teacher(s) for ~30 minutes for a debrief, providing them with immediate tailored feedback. The program will receive the observer's scoresheet with helpful notes to improve their classroom quality. The program will also receive a list of recommended play materials to add to the classroom to enhance children's learning and meet the ECERS-3 requirements. 

ECERS-3 is the assessment tool used for Colorado Shines observations in preschool classrooms where children are between 3-5 years old. Having a baseline assessment done ahead of an official Colorado Shines rating helps programs prepare, make changes, and improve quality. 

Each observed staff member can use an ECERS-3 observation to earn demonstrated competency points for their Early Childhood Professional Credential 3.0 in PDIS. The observer will provide the program/teacher with necessary documentation to upload to PDIS. 

The CLASS tool is designed to assess and score teachers' language and interactions with children in the classroom. A CLASS observation lasts for ~2 hours. The observer conducts four (4) 20 minute cycles, scoring in between each cycle. During the cycle, the observer will note all interactions and conversations between teachers and children and score based on the frequency, depth, and effectiveness of the interactions across varying categories.

Immediately following the observation, the observer will meet with the classroom teacher(s) for ~20 minutes for a debrief, providing them with immediate tailored feedback. 

Each observed staff member can use a CLASS observation to earn demonstrated competency points for their Early Childhood Professional Credential 3.0 in PDIS. The observer will provide the program/teacher with necessary documentation to upload to PDIS. A CLASS observation can also earn credit for Colorado Shines indicator 3.3a and 3.3d. 

TPOT and TPITOS are the observations designed to measure teachers' implementation of teaching and behavior support practices associated with the Pyramid model for promoting social and emotional competence in infants and young children. 

TPOT (3-5 years old) observations are a minimum of 2 hours that include teacher directed, child directed and transitions. TPITOS (0-3 years old) observations should include at least 3 routines (play, structured group, personal care and/or outdoors). Both tools have an interview portion that takes between 30 and 60 minutes.

Each observed staff member can use a TPOT or TPITOS observation to earn demonstrated competency points for their Early Childhood Professional Credential 3.0 in PDIS.  The observer will provide the program/teacher with necessary documentation to upload to PDIS.

Please contact us if you are interested in scheduling observations.