LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 20:12 December 2020
ISSN 1930-2940

Editors:
         Sam Mohanlal, Ph.D.
         B. Mallikarjun, Ph.D.
         A. R. Fatihi, Ph.D.
         G. Baskaran, Ph.D.
         T. Deivasigamani, Ph.D.
         Pammi Pavan Kumar, Ph.D.
         Soibam Rebika Devi, M.Sc., Ph.D.

Managing Editor & Publisher: M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.

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Development of an Early Care and Learning Centre
Rating Scale to Assess Quality in Early Childhood Care and Education

Ms. Tania Ruby M. Thomas, M.Sc. and
Dr. Rajalakshmi, M. S., M.Sc., M.Ed., Ph.D.

Abstract

Globally, quality early learning experiences are gaining importance, as it is the viable strategy for closing learning gaps; achieving lifelong learning and increase the potential for learning in young children. The first six years of development is considered the most essential one since the early experiences that a child receives will lay foundation for later developments. The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER, 2013) states that “in order to improve learning outcomes and sustain them in the long run, early years may be the best place to invest”. The investment in early years can be through providing quality early experiences.

A report on primary educational trajectories indicated that 53% of grade 5 children were not able to read grade 2 textbook and 52% had difficulty solving grade 2 math problems (ASER, 2015). This learning gap can be solved by providing quality foundation and achieving equality in the early education. This indicates a felt need for assessing early care and learning centres for quality aspects. Therefore, the present study focused on the development of an assessment scale. The developed scale is titled “Early care and learning centre rating scale (ECLCRS) and it focuses on the process and structural quality of the centre.

Keywords: early childhood care education, early care, learning centres, learning centre rating scale (ECLCRS), assessment.

Introduction

A young child is born with the potential to learn and the early years is considered to offer a window of opportunity which sets path for further learning to take place. Quality early education is essential to generate the catalyst for learning in children. “Quality” in early care and education centre is a multi-dimensional concept and is broadly defined at promoting well-being and positive development outcomes in children (Layzer and Goodson, 2006) (OECD, 2018). Quality in early care and learning centres can be viewed from two perspectives, “process” and “structural”. The curriculum, staff details; characteristics and staff-child interactions can be considered as “process” quality. The “structural” quality is the space, group size, safety standards etc.

Quality may differ between the countries as it is a culture and value-based concept, and the notion of quality is changed over time (Kamerman,2001). Quality early childhood education is considered as a precursor for further learning and development. It is a component for enrolment, retention and achievement in the primary grades. Research studies have shown that quality programs enhance the overall development. “Children in good quality ECCE (Early Childhood care and Education) centres had higher perceptual, memory, verbal and linguistic skills than the ones who attended low quality centres (Rao, 2010)”.

A study conducted by Centre for Early Childhood Education and Development (CECED) and Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) (2015), found that “children attending ECCE (Early Childhood care and Education) programs that were ranked high on the quality assessment gained significantly more from one year ECCE (Early Childhood care and Education) program than children who attended poor quality ECCE centres”. This highlights the need for providing quality early care and education.

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.

Ms. Tania Ruby M. Thomas, M.Sc.
Research Scholar
Department of Early Childhood Education and Administration
Smt. V.H.D Central Institute of Home Science
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
taniathomas4@gmail.com

Dr. Rajalakshmi, M. S., M.Sc., M.Ed., Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Early Childhood Education and Administration
Smt. V.H.D Central Institute of Home Science
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
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