Recent news

Exciting news! New Environment Rating Scales have arrived! Starting on February 1, 2025, the ECERS-3, ITERS-3, and FCCERS-3—also known as the "3s"—will be used for DCDEE assessments. These third editions come with a spiral binding at the top, replacing the current revised editions. For more information about updated resources, credit hour trainings, and outreach assessment opportunities click here:  

Get ready for the 3s

For official assessments for the NC Star Rated License,
we will use the Revised editions until February 1, 2025. 

Interested in learning more? Participate in an Outreach Assessment! Learn more about the benefits and process by visiting the Outreach Assessments page: 

Outreach Assessments

Are you a family child care provider, in search of information about the self-study process for your Star Rated License? Click here to see updated information about the FCCERS-R self-study with resources and videos created to help develop a process that meets individual needs and priorities.

 

NCRLAP Website Tour (video) - Please check out this 8-minute video to see the various features offered on our website. This is a great option for visitors new to the website or who are starting to think about NC's Environment Rating Scale assessment process as it applies to ongoing quality improvement efforts. 

NCRLAP offers contact hour earning online training. Go to ncrlap.org/Resources/Training/Register/ to see our scale related training as well as additional trainings that cover special topics such as language and interactions, outdoor learning environments, and requirements for materials in family child care homes.

  • During assessments, assessors may take photographs of the indoor/outdoor spaces and materials; however, children will not be photographed.
  • There are no more COVID-related exemptions in place for assessments and all scale requirements apply. While on site, assessors will follow any health precautions required by child care programs.
  • To help review ERS requirements and think carefully about the current characteristics and practices in your program or classroom, please check out the Thinking More worksheets. These are a great option for FCCH providers, teachers and, administrators and can be found on our resource list. The worksheets are in the "featured" section and there is one for each subscale of each rating scale. Many of the worksheets are also available in Spanish.

Quick Reference Guide

Quick reference guide
Important resources for all assessments
Here are links to resources for all rating scales.
  1. This video describes the steps involved in the assessment process completed by NCRLAP. Information in this resource is appropriate to be used with each Environment Rating Scale.
    About the assessment process (video)   Click for more information about this media
  2. This presentation describes many of the health and sanitation practices considered during the assessment process. Information in this resource is appropriate to be used with each Environment Rating Scale.
    Handwashing and other basic health considerations (video)   Click for more information about this media
  3. This document summarizes scoring criteria used by NCRLAP assessors during Environment Rating Scale assessments for items that relate to the safety of gross motor space and equipment. These standards apply to all gross motor equipment and materials.
    Requirements for Gross Motor Space and Equipment   Click for more information about this document
  4. This video addressed common questions and scoring issues related to gross motor spaces and play that occurs during North Carolina Rated License Assessments. Information in this video applies to all Environment Rating Scales.
    Safe space for gross motor play (video)   Click for more information about this media
  5. USDA Meal Pattern Guidelines for Children 1-12 years of age. These were updated on October 1, 2017. Source. Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), www.fns.usda.gov/cacfp/meals-and-snacks and redesigned by NCRLAP
    USDA Meal Pattern Guidelines for Children 1 to 12 years   Click for more information about this document
More
Below are the most important resources for each rating scale.
For classrooms serving children 31 months to 5 years: ECERS-R
image of ECERS-R
  1. These are the current NC Additional Notes for the ECERS-R used by NCRLAP assessors.
    NC Additional Notes ECERS-R (updated 11-5-24)   document icon
  2. This document provides information about the substantial portion of the day requirement in the ECERS-R. It includes a definition of the term, how assessors determine the times and make calculations, FAQs, materials indoors and outdoors, and tips. It is available in English and Spanish.
    ECERS-R Substantial portion of the day: Key points for NC's assessment process   document icon
  3. This document provides an overview of considerations, questions, and answers regarding ECERS-R assessments for public school preschool programs.
    ECERS-R: Public school information sheet   document icon
  4. This document provides information for NC Pre-K classrooms and programs participating in the ECERS-R assessment process.
    Guide to the NC Pre-K Assessment Process   document icon
  5. This video focuses on how language supports children's cognitive and social/emotional development in programs serving preschoolers.
    Language for learning: Preschoolers (video)   video icon
More
For classrooms serving children birth through 30 months: ITERS-R
image of ITERS-R
  1. These are the current NC Additional Notes for the ITERS-R used by NCRLAP assessors.
    NC Additional Notes: ITERS-R (updated 11-5-24)   document icon
  2. This document provides information about the 'much of the day' requirements in the ITERS-R and FCCERS-R. It includes a definition of the term, examples of positive practices and red flags, information for mobile and non-mobile children and details about how to determine if MOD requirements are met.
    ITERS-R and FCCERS-R Much of the day: Key points for NCs assessment process   document icon
  3. This presentation explains the definition of books in poor repair as it applies to the ITERS-R and FCCERS-R as well as provides examples of common repair issues and other important considerations.
    ITERS-R and FCCERS-R: Books in Poor Repair   document icon
  4. This video focuses on how language supports childrens cognitive and social/emotional development in programs serving infant and toddlers.
    Language for learning: Infants and Toddlers (video)   video icon
  5. This document provides a summary of the lowest scoring items and indicators for the ITERS-R, as used for the assessment portion of the NC Star Rated License.
    Summary of Lowest Scoring Items and Indicators for the ITERS-R   document icon
  6. This video illustrates ways providers can ensure that infants, particularly non-mobile infants, have a variety of play and learning experiences with appropriate materials and furnishings throughout the course of the caregiving day.
    Using materials with non-mobile infants (video)   video icon
More
For classrooms serving children 5 to 12 years: SACERS-Updated
image of SACERS-U
  1. These are the current NC Additional Notes for the SACERS-U used by NCRLAP assessors.
    NC Additional Notes SACERS-U (updated 10-25-23)   document icon
  2. This video focuses on how language supports children's cognitive and social/emotional development in programs serving schoolagers. Information in this resource is appropriate to be used with each Environment Rating Scale.
    Language for learning: Schoolagers (video)   video icon
  3. This document includes information about SACERS-U policies and procedures important for school-age staff.
    SACERS-U Important Program Policies and Procedures   document icon
  4. This document includes details and reminders for items related to various learning materials, areas, and activities included in the SACERS-U.
    SACERS-U Promoting Engagement   document icon
  5. This report shows statewide and county SACERS-U scores for NC Star Rated License assessments during 9/1/2017 to 8/31/2019.
    SACERS-U Statewide and county scores   document icon
More
For family child care homes serving children birth - 12 years: FCCERS-R
image of FCCERS
  1. These are the current NC Additional Notes for the FCCERS-R used by NCRLAP assessors.
    NC Additional Notes: FCCERS-R (updated 11-5-24)   document icon
  2. Este documento proporciona una descripcion general de las consideraciones, preguntas de los proveedores de FCCH y respuestas sobre el proceso de evaluacion de FCCERS-R de NC.
    FCCERS‐R Assessment Process: Information for FCCH Providers (Spanish version)   document icon
  3. This document provides an overview of considerations, questions from FCCH providers, and answers regarding NC's FCCERS-R assessment process. It is available in English and Spanish.
    FCCERS-R Assessment Process: Information for FCCH Providers   document icon
  4. This is the first in a series of presentations for family childcare providers. It explains terms used throughout the scale, including different age groups, ''accessible'' and ''much of the day,'' and examines the requirements of different indicators in the Fine Motor item in the FCCERS-R while providing a variety of examples.
    FCCERS-R Item 16 Using Fine Motor Materials with Different Age Groups   document icon
  5. This presentation is part of a series for family childcare providers. It examines the requirements of different indicators in the Art item in the FCCERS-R and provides a variety of examples.
    FCCERS-R Item 17 Using Art Materials with Different Age Groups   document icon
  6. This presentation is part of a series for family childcare providers. It examines the requirements of different indicators in the Block item in the FCCERS-R and provides a variety of examples.
    FCCERS-R Item 19 Using Blocks with Different Age Groups   document icon
  7. This presentation is part of a series for family childcare providers. It examines the requirements of different indicators in the Dramatic play item in the FCCERS-R and provides a variety of examples.
    FCCERS-R Item 20 Using Dramatic Play Materials with Different Age Groups   document icon
  8. This presentation is part of a series for family childcare providers. It examines the requirements of different indicators in the Math item in the FCCERS-R and provides a variety of examples.
    FCCERS-R Item 21 Using Math Materials with Different Age Groups   document icon
  9. This presentation is part of a series for family childcare providers. It examines the requirements of different indicators in the Nature/science item in the FCCERS-R and provides a variety of examples.
    FCCERS-R Item 22 Using Nature Science Materials with Different Age Groups   document icon
  10. This presentation is part of a series for family childcare providers. It examines the requirements of different indicators in the Promoting acceptance of diversity item in the FCCERS-R and provides a variety of examples.
    FCCERS-R Item 24 Promoting Acceptance and Diversity   document icon
  11. This document provides information about the 'much of the day' requirements in the ITERS-R and FCCERS-R. It includes a definition of the term, examples of positive practices and red flags, information for mobile and non-mobile children and details about how to determine if MOD requirements are met.
    ITERS-R and FCCERS-R Much of the day: Key points for NCs assessment process   document icon
  12. This presentation explains the definition of books in poor repair as it applies to the ITERS-R and FCCERS-R as well as provides examples of common repair issues and other important considerations.
    ITERS-R and FCCERS-R: Books in Poor Repair   document icon
  13. This video focuses on how language supports childrens cognitive and social/emotional development in programs serving infant and toddlers.
    Language for learning: Infants and Toddlers (video)   video icon
  14. This video focuses on how language supports children's cognitive and social/emotional development in programs serving preschoolers.
    Language for learning: Preschoolers (video)   video icon
  15. This video focuses on how language supports children's cognitive and social/emotional development in programs serving schoolagers. Information in this resource is appropriate to be used with each Environment Rating Scale.
    Language for learning: Schoolagers (video)   video icon
  16. This video illustrates ways providers can ensure that infants, particularly non-mobile infants, have a variety of play and learning experiences with appropriate materials and furnishings throughout the course of the caregiving day.
    Using materials with non-mobile infants (video)   video icon
More