Assessing Quality in Toddler Classrooms Using the CLASS-Toddler and the ITERS-R

Abstract Many very young children attend early care and education programs, but current information about the quality of center-based care for toddlers is scarce. Using 2 observation instruments, the Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale–Revised (ITERS-R) and the Classroom Assessment Scoring System, Toddler Version (CLASS-Toddler), 93 child care classrooms for toddlers across the state of North Carolina, representing a range of quality, were assessed to determine overall quality, and associations between observed quality and teachers' ratings of child behavior problems and competence outcomes using the Brief Infant Toddler Social Emotional Assessment. Research Findings: Findings indicated that overall, toddler classrooms were rated as being of moderate quality. Associations between observed quality and teacher-reported child behavior problems and competence outcomes indicated that CLASS-Toddler ratings were positively associated with fewer behavior problems; specifically, children in classrooms with higher levels on the CLASS-Toddler domains of Emotional and Behavioral Support as well as Engaged Support for Learning were reported to have fewer behavior problems. Similarly, the ITERS-R subscales of Interaction and Listening and Talking were positively related to fewer reported behavior problems. Regression models showed that the CLASS-Toddler Emotional and Behavioral Support domain predicted differences in child behavior problems. Practice or Policy: Findings suggest the need for additional research related to very young children's experiences in center-based child care to examine associations between quality and child experiences and outcomes. Children's experiences over time need to be examined to understand how these early child care experiences are related to children's later school adjustment and performance. On a related note, professional development for teachers in toddler classrooms needs to be addressed in terms of preparing effective teachers for young children during the toddler developmental period. Notes Note. ITERS-R = Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale–Revised; CLASS-Toddler = Classroom Assessment Scoring System, Toddler Version. Note. n = 93 classrooms, 406 children. ITERS-R = Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale–Revised; CLASS-Toddler = Classroom Assessment Scoring System, Toddler Version; BITSEA = Brief Infant Toddler Social Emotional Assessment. a Reverse scored. *p < .05. **p < .01. Note. n = 467 children, n = 93 classrooms. CLASS = Classroom Assessment Scoring System. *p < .05. **p < .01. ***p < .001.