| المستخلص: |
The study aimed to assess quality using the infant/ toddler environment rating scale- third edition (ITERS-3) at the nursery of king Abdullah university of science and technology, and propose quality standards for nurseries based on the quality indicators of the (ITERS-3). The study used the descriptive analytical approach, where the (ITERS-3) was applied as a tool for the study of quality evaluation which includes (6) sub-scales containing (33) items representing quality indicators. The sample of the study was a nursery center located at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology which was selected on purpose. The sample classrooms were selected randomly; representing 3 classes from each level as follows: infants (4 months, 1 year and 7 months), toddlers (1 year, 7 months - 2 years and 3 months), and children older than two years (2 years and 3 months - up to 2 years and 8 months). The Study findings are: the average scores of the sub-scales are “high” due to the existence of an integrated system and a general quality standard followed by the nursery center. There is a variance in the average scores of some sub-scales because some elements were not applied, and their scores affect the score of the element. The study proposed quality standards at nurseries- based on the results of the study- consisting of (9) standards, under each of which a number of indicators (36), the standards are: Philosophy, Management, Environment and facilities, Personal care, Health and safety, Interactions between caregivers and children, Qualifications, Program, Observation forms, and Evaluations of child’s development. The study recommended constructing a procedural guide of quality standards at nurseries and make it available on the Ministry of Education’s website, the application of the (ITERS-3) to evaluate the quality of the nursery environment, and to arrange awareness programs for caregivers of the importance of applying quality practices, and the effect of improving the quality of environment on children’s language and social development.
|
