THE ENVIRONMENT RATING SCALES

The Environment Rating Scales are a set of standardised tools for measuring and improving the quality of early years provision. They offer a structured approach to quality improvement and self-evaluation.

The ECERS-3 is one of seven scales available for evaluating quality in centre-based early years settings and schools, out-of-school provision and childminding provision.

The Environment Rating Scales were developed with assistance and feedback from hundreds of researchers and practitioners around the world, and are now used in many countries for research, self-assessment and quality improvement.

In the UK, they are being used by many local authorities and practitioners to improve the quality of early years provision, guided by the findings of the EPPSE research which indicates a strong correlation between quality early years provision and long lasting positive outcomes for children.