Curriculum Checklist

Curriculum
Level	All items must be present for credit at each Level
1	Developmentally appropriate curriculum, aligned with process of the Early Learning Coalition (ELC) for approving curriculum, is adopted for all age groups. Copy of curriculum overview and implementation methodology provided Curriculum is on ELC list OR center has reviewed curriculum using ELC curriculum review form and verified DAP.
2	Lead teachers have received minimum 6 hours training on implementation of the developmentally appropriate curriculum used at the center (may be on-site and/or director-led training) Certificates of 6 hours of curriculum training OR dated log of such training with lead teacher signatures
3	All teaching staff employed 6 months or longer have received minimum 6 hours training on implementation of the developmentally appropriate curriculum used at the center (may be on-site and/or director-led training) Certificates of 6 hours of curriculum training OR dated log of such training with all staff member signatures
4 A	Developmentally appropriate curriculum is fully implemented (check one) On the applicable Environment Rating Scales, the center has achieved average scores of 4.5 - 5.49 (Level 4) on the following subscales Activities Language-Reasoning-ECERS, Listening and Talking-ITERS Program Structure Current weekly lesson plans implemented for each age group that reflect the appropriate curriculum standards as detailed in the Florida Performance Standards for each age group.
4 B	A system is in place for ongoing child assessment observations Process of completing ongoing child observations at least three times/year is described in writing (may be in the personnel policies and/or the family handbook p. __) Samples of child observation form, anecdotal notes, and/or portfolios observed for at least 30% of children enrolled (names deleted)
5	Child assessment guides differentiated program planning and communication with families is in place Lesson planning forms in use include a section for activities targeted towards meeting identified needs of individuals or small groups of children Evidence that child progress updates shared with families
Star Rating for Curriculum: circle 1 2 3 4 5
These curricula are currently listed as approved for ages 0-5 by the Broward County ELC: Creative Curriculum®; Beyond Centers and Circle Time Series; High/Scope®; La Petite Academy – Journey; Montessori; Building Language for Literacy®; DLM Early Childhood Express®, Doors to Discovery®, Funshine Express™, Opening the World of Learning™, WEE Learn® Approved curriculum (Pre-K only) High Reach® Passports for Pre-K; Houghton Mifflin Pre-K; InvestiGator Club®; Let's Begin with the Letter People® for Pre-K;

Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum Review Form

 

Guideline	Determination (Complete after reviewing for 2- 7 – check all that apply)
Fill in # 1 LAST   1. The curriculum is developmentally appropriate. It has realistic and attainable expectations in line with the most recent research on early learning and child development.	The curriculum is developmentally appropriate and should be listed as   a Framework for toddlers   Materials and Resources for two year olds   For infants for three year olds   for Pre K (VPK or 4/5 year olds)
	Yes/No	Evidenced by what materials	Comments
2. The curriculum has a Character Development component.
3. The curriculum… Promotes interactive learning among staff and children.
Permits flexibility for children and teachers.
Encourages active learning through play and frequently allows children to make meaningful choices.
Fosters children's exploration and inquiry, rather than focusing on "right" answers or "right" ways to complete a task.
Facilitates concept learning and skills development in an integrated and natural way. (Integrated thematic instruction)
Shows evidence from research of being based on sound child development principles of how children grow and learn.
Shows respect for cultural and linguistic diversity and allows and appreciates individual differences.
4. The curriculum meets all of the State of Florida School Readiness Performance Standards, including the following Domains: Physical Health
Approaches to Learning
Social and Emotional Development
Language Development and Communication
Cognitive Development and General Knowledge
Motor Development
Emergent Literacy
5. The program has age appropriate activities and materials that promote the following experiences: Construction (wood blocks, waffle blocks, bristle blocks, Lincoln Logs, etc.)
Dramatic Play
Manipulatives
Creative Expression (Art)
Language (Talking, listening, reading and writing)
Discovery/Sensory
Fluid Play
Music and Movement
Outdoors/Gross Motor
Computers (optional)
6. Assessment evidence (from multiple sources) is used to understand and improve learning by improving curriculum implementation and teaching practices.
7. Parent Involvement: Parents are recognized as the child's first teacher.
Parents are given letters about thematic units of study and each of the interest areas available in the program detailing the benefit to the child.
Parents are welcomed visitors to the program or classroom and opportunities are available for parent participation.
Conferences are scheduled to discuss the parent's expectations for their children and answer any questions they may have about the curriculum.
Parents are knowledgeable about goals and assessment.

Curriculum Forms

Approved Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum Checklist     Center Name: Date:

The curriculum used at this facility is one of those listed below that has been approved by the Early Learning Coalition of Broward County

Definition Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum, for the purposes of a review and /or approval, is defined as a set of written materials that: Is replicable May address the use of materials, scheduling, arranging the environment, and interaction between children and adults separately or in combination Includes more than activity suggestions and more than theory and pedagogy Is aligned with the Florida Early Learning Standards Birth – Five Is aligned with scientifically-based research

Approved Curricula Ages Birth to 5 (not to be confused with Florida DOE VPK approved curriculum) Standards: Florida has adopted performance standards for all children birth to 5 years old. The PERFORMANCE STANDARDS can be accessed on line.     Birth to Three Year Olds http//www.floridajobs.org/earlylearning/downloads/pdf/birth_to_3book.pdf     Three, Four and Five Year Olds http//www.floridajobs.org/earlylearning/downloads/zip/3-5_perf_stands.zip     Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Standards http://www.firn.edu/doe/earlylearning/perform.htm     Approved Framework Curricula A framework is a philosophical structure which can be used to facilitate the alliance of practices with performance standards. The coalition recognizes adherence to an educational framework as an indicator of high-quality early education programming. The research-based developmentally appropriate curriculum frameworks currently recognized by this coalition are:          Creative Curriculum®;  Beyond Centers and Circle Time Series;  High/Scope®;  La Petite Academy – Journey  Montessori*                 Approved VPK curricula (ELC reviewed Pre-K only)  High Reach® Passports for Pre-K  Houghton Mifflin Pre-K  InvestiGator Club®,  Let's Begin with the Letter People® for Pre-K     * The name Montessori is not legally protected, and can be used by anyone, for any purpose; it is vital that anyone searching for authentic Montessori practices be aware of this. Check www.montessori.edu for more information.     Approved Materials and Resources Curricula: Within an appropriate framework, there are materials and resources that can enhance and augment developmentally appropriate practices. The materials and resources currently recognized by this coalition are approved as curriculum:      Building Language for Literacy®  DLM Early Childhood Express®  Doors to Discovery®  Funshine Express™  Opening the World of Learning™  WEE Learn®

Verification that a developmentally appropriate curriculum is in use.     Assessor Print Name: ___________________________ Signature:_______________________     Date:_____________________

QRIS Portfolio Clarifications

More questions asked by providers:

i) Professional Qualifications Domain
(1) Do the training hours need to be on specific topics?
(2) Can first-aid and CPR be counted as part of the training hours?
(3) Can the directors provide the training hours?
(4) If the provider brings in an outside trainer, does the trainer have to have certain qualifications or being registered with CSC?

ii) Ratio / Group Size Domain
(1) When a classroom has a mixed age group, the youngest ratio prevails. Please clarify rather the youngest or oldest group size prevails.

Space between cribs

Question posed by a provider:

If cribs have Plexiglas on both narrow ends, thus creating a solid barrier like that mentioned in the ITERS-R, can the small ends be placed next to each other? The reasoning behind this technique is to create more floor space in a small baby room.

Would they still meet Broward county licensing rules and regs requirements?

Thank you!

Handbook for Early Childhood Administrators website

A Google search of the title led me to this site. It is the companion site for the Handbook, through the Ablongman publishing company.(I hope it works for you!)

http://wps.ablongman.com/ab_reno_handbook_1/

Permanent playground cushioning

From Kathy Walters: If a program uses "permagrass" or any other type of permanent cushioning that is professionally installed, i.e. not to be replenished like sand or mulch are, the CCLE Licensing Monitors and the Child Care Quality Technicians need to be shown the specifications from the manufacturer or the installer. We need to know what is under the permanent surface, to ensure that there is enough cushioning for the safety of children. Tell the facilities to have this paperwork readily accessible for our visits. Thank you.

Notes on Curriculum from 8/21/08 QRIS meeting

CURRICULUM
8/21/08
Notes From Joint QRIS meeting
Level 1
Attachment E – add a list of the currently approved curricula and instructions about how to get a program’s curriculum approved. For now we will use the list of approved curricula and the DAP approval guidelines form to decide whether or not to accept a curriculum.
Level 2
Lead teachers – inservice hours or CEU’s will be accepted. Must be within the last 12 months and updated annually; may be on or off site; may be done by the director or their designee, but they must show evidence of what makes the trainer qualified to give this training. We will want to see a sign-in sheet and agenda or a certificate. Current lesson plans should be posted. Three months of lesson plans available for review. There must be a sample lesson plan in the portfolio. Question – whether Level 2 should be general curriculum training and Level 3 specific to the curriculum?
Level 3
Same as Level 2. Question – should we require trainers to be registered with CSC’s training registry? Can and will ELC provide train the trainer specific to each major curriculum.
Level 4
As written in manual: Scores of 4.5-5.49 in the subscales for activities, language and reasoning/listening and talking, and program structure, OR lesson plans reflecting benchmarks set by curriculum standards or age appropriate Florida state standards. Six weeks of lesson plans will be reviewed for each classroom. The plans may come directly from a purchased curriculum or be written by the program’s staff.
Review observations/assessments for 30% of children in each class.
Level 5
Lesson plans reviewed for explanation of small group or individual variations. Review evidence of communication with individual families about child’s progress, i.e. conference sign-in sheet; notes about conversation with parents;

QRIS Portfolio

A provider would like to know the answers to the questions below:

a) If a staff member only works with after care, does the school need to complete a professional development form for that staff member?

b) How many weeks of lesson plans should a school place in the professional portfolio? Should more be included if the school will not be using the ERS scores?

c) If a school uses a combination of their own curriculum and the Creative Curriculum, but only lists Creative Curriculum at the 1 star level, does the training at the 2 and 3 star levels need to be specifically on the Creative Curriculum or can it be a combination of their curriculum and the Creative Curriculum?

d) When a school is using their own curriculum and needs to submit the proper from and documentation, who should everything be submitted to? How long will it take for it to be reviewed?

Adequate space

When this item is scored, do you count the number of children present at the time, the number that are currently enrolled to use that space, the maximum number that the center would be willing to enroll in that space, or the amount that licensing will allow in the space?