QRIS NEWS:

1. Participation in the EEC voucher services via a Voucher Services Agreement will require that a provider submit a QRIS application by July 1, 2012.

2. To continue to participate in an EEC contract (income eligible, supportive, flex pool etc.) providers must be registered in QRIS by August 31, 2012.

QRIS is described in detail on the EEC website: http://www.mass.gov/edu/government/departments-and-boards/department-of-early-education-and-care/Look

SPACE MATTERS: There is substantial research on the importance of the physical environment on children’s social, emotional and cognitive development.

ADULT WORK SPACE: Teachers working in good spaces feel better about their work and are more engaged and positive with children. Despite recent policy efforts related to upgrading teacher education and providing better compensation, little attention has been paid to the work environments and working conditions for teachers and administrators in ECE and OST programs.READ MORE 

 

DAYLIGHT AND ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING: Classrooms with ample daylight, supplemented by good artificial lighting, affect academic performance, comfort, and behavior.

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NATURAL PLAY SPACE MATTERS: There is growing interest in natural outdoor play spaces for children.  Some of it was started by Richard Louv’s book, , published in 2005. He coined the term “nature deficit disorder” – a phrase that resonated with parents and educators across the country.  

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"Poor Physical Space Compromises Quality"

Click here to read the article by Irene Sege that appeared in the Eye on Early Education blog on May 10, 2012.READ MORE

CIF ANNOUNCES THE RELEASE OF THE FACILITIES INVENTORY REPORTS
The "Building an Infrastructure for Quality An Inventory of Early Childhood Education and Out-of-School Time Facilities in Massachusetts" report is the first-ever inventory of early childhood education and out-of-school time facilities in Massachusetts or anywhere in the country. CLICK HERE for the full report, the Executive Summary, the Program Facility Standards, The Facilities Inventory Project Data Report and The Facilities Inventory Project Boston Data Report.   

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