Meeting ECER's

This year as a state funded program we are going through the QRIS (Quality Rating and Improvement System) and with the QRIS comes ECER’s the Environment rating tool.
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We have always completed an annual self-evaluation of the ECER’s tools, but with the QRIS they keep you accountable for it.  You know that they will be randomly coming into the classroom to conduct their own ECER’s and they will find enough stuff on their own without giving them the ones that you already know about.

So, now let’s talk turkey.
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Our self-evaluation of ECER’s where due in December before leaving for winter break.

Here is what I discovered about my own ECER’s.

• Privacy box was not visible from advantage points in the classroom
• Book nook was too close to the music center.  We knew that this was a problem area in our ECER’s but just kept saying to ourselves I will take a 4 because that is going to be too big of a move.  We will do it later.  Well that later is NOW! 

And

• The puzzle center was just not working for us and we now that we need to change that too. 

So, if you follow me on Instagram you saw that on December 21, we packed and moved furniture in our classrooms for the annual deep cleaning too.
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On January 3rd, we are due back in our classroom with kids as we put our classrooms back together. 
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You’re asking yourself right now how are you going to do that?
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It means I must have a master plan.
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I need to have a master plan to move furniture, meet ECERS and have my classroom up and running in as sort of time as possible.
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I do all of this with a classroom design map.  This map allows me to move and change things around and move it again until I come up with the perfect arrangement. This will also ensure that I have correct any of my problem areas that I discovered during my ECER’s review.
By doing this in advance I will be able to put my room back together in a short amount of time and with little frustration to me, my staff and most of all the children.

Here is what it looks like.
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Step One:
I start out with my base floor plan.  I sketch out on my classroom design map all elements that will never change.

• Permeant furniture
• Carpet area
• Smartboard or whiteboard
• Doors
• Windows
• Sink
• Electrical outlets

Step Two:
I make and cut out area signs for all learning centers that I would like to have in my classroom environment. 
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I do most of my moving around during this part of my planning.  Thinking about what I found out about my areas conflicting with one another and making sure that I have the right combinations of centers next to each other.

Step Three:
I make and cut out pieces of all tables, shelves and area rugs.
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Now I can add all the furniture to each center.  This will show me if areas are too tight with furniture.  Not leaving enough room for children to play and interact with the materials.  

Step Four:
Take a close look and ask myself these questions.

• Do I have centers that encourage group interactions?
• Do I have an area for quiet and active play?
• Is there adequate space for that designated activity?
• I can’t forget the noise levels of centers (I don't want my book nook next to dramatic play or blocks) (I also do not want my music center next to a privacy area).
• Do I have enough areas for children to be alone or plan with one other child without be interrupted by others?
• Do I have any long empty spaces (that would say to a child hey look at me RUN)?
• Can staff view centers while working at a table with children?
• Is there any space that a child can hide from staff?

Finally:
Now that I have everything mapped out I’m ready to take a picture of the map so that I can send it to my staff.  This will give them the opportunity to provide feedback before we even step foot into the classroom. 

Now we are ready for the big move on January 3rd.      

​Looking to redesign your classroom this year?
Grab your free classroom design map.
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classroom_map.pdf
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classroom_furniture.pdf
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classroom_centers.pdf
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If you are looking for a way to keep up with your classroom design and ECERS.  Then look no further, this classroom design workbook will help you keep up with all your ideas and needed materials to meet ECER’s and any other environment rating tool.