Rated License Assessment Process
We have prepared the following to aid you in understanding the NCRLAP assessment process.
Learn about the assessment process
About the assessment process (video)
This resource describes the steps involved in participating in assessments completed by NCRLAP. Information in this resource is appropriate to be used with each Environment Rating Scale, including the SACERS-U.
General information regarding the NC Star Rated License system
Link to the DCDEE website, where you can learn about the NC Star Rated License system.
Handwashing and other basic health considerations (video)
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, including the SACERS-U.
Test 1 Learn about assessment process 123
SchedulingAfter your Child Care Licensing Consultant submits a request to NCRLAP, a scheduler from NCRLAP will call to walk you through the process, answer questions, and set a 4-week window when assessment(s) will occur. You will receive a confirmation call the week before your window starts.
Rescheduling and Date Changes
Special Types of ProgramsPlease notify us if your program has a specialized focus or serves special populations (e.g., children with moderate to severe disabilities, non-English speaking teachers and/or children, uses a specialized teaching approach, etc.).
Guide to the NC Pre-K Assessment Process
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 (Spanish version)
Highly trained assessors will assess the quality of children’s care and education using these scales:
- Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale Revised (ITERS-R)— birth through 30 months.
- Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale Revised (ECERS-R)— 31 months through 5 years.
- Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale Revised (FCCERS-R)—multi-age care in a home environment.
- School-Age Environment Rating Scale Updated (SACERS-R)— 5 through 12 years.
We attempt to complete the assessment on a “typical day” (i.e., usual routine, no special activities or guests). Over half of the children enrolled need to be present for most of the observation. In multi-classroom centers, a minimum of 1/3 of the total classrooms will be assessed, including at least one classroom from each age group requiring a specific rating scale. Each home or classroom being assessed should expect one or two assessors.
Purchase the scales
Copies of all of the ratings scales are available at your local Resource & Referral and/or partnership agencies.
Also, the Environment Rating Scales can be purchased from:
How to prepare for assessments
Study these materials:
- Environment Rating Scales relevant to your age groups
- NC Additional Notes for each rating scale
- NCRLAP’s Requirements for Gross Motor Space and Equipment
- Meal Guidelines: Ages 1–12 and/or Infant Meal Guidelines: Ages 0-11 Months
Talk with your Child Care DCDEE Consultant about the assessment and/or request assistance from an agency:
- Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) Child Care Consultants
- Local Smart Start Partnership consultants (contact the Smart Start agency in your county or call the NC Partnership for Children: Smart Start)
- Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) specialists (contact DCDEE for the CCR&R serving your area)
- NC Rated License Assessment Project offers various resources and webinars about the rating scales and the assessment process (contact NCRLAP or view the training calendar online at NCRLAP.org
Prepare personnel and collaborate.
Include staff by sharing materials, ideas, discussions, and training. Conduct a self-led practice assessment. Review reports from previous assessments. Network with providers who have experienced assessments before.
Prepare your facility’s space, equipment, and environment(s) through quality enhancements to meet requirements.
Any changes should reflect best practices for young children and improve the quality of the program on an ongoing basis.
Prior to the assessment, inform the children and families that they will have a visitor in the classroom.
Complete your paperwork.
After the assessment is scheduled, a packet of information and forms will be sent to you. Please have the necessary paperwork completed and available to hand to the assessors when they arrive. These include:
- Classroom Information Form
- Teacher Information Form
- Copies of your classroom daily schedules
- Birthdate List
When the Assessor Arrives
After greeting the administrator or provider and receiving the completed paperwork, the assessor will give a brief overview of the day. In child care centers, classrooms to be assessed are chosen randomly on the morning of each scheduled assessment.The Observation
For approximately 3-5 hours in the morning or 2 hours for afterschool observations, the assessor will observe a wide variety of interactions, activities, and materials as required by the rating scale. For example, the assessor may observe indoor and outdoor space, materials used by the children, health practices, and more. Assessments need to occur on a typical day with regular classroom staff and the usual daily schedule and activities.Interview with Staff
There will be a 30- to 45-minute interview with the lead classroom teacher or provider. The interview may take place during naptime, or while a substitute teacher replaces the classroom teacher. For after school assessments, assessors typically conduct an interview before children arrive as well as a post-assessment interview.- For each assessment, the assessor will complete a detailed report that identifies strengths and areas needing improvement, based on the assessment results. The completed report is forwarded within 10 days to the facility’s Child Care Consultant, who is responsible for communicating the information to the child care facility.
- The facility summary report is designed to provide specific feedback so that child care staff may enhance their program’s quality through goal setting and other quality enhancement efforts.
- If you have additional questions about the assessment process, please contact the NCRLAP main office toll-free at 866.362.7527.
The North Carolina Rated License Assessment Project is a collaboration between the North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) and UNC Greensboro. NCRLAP’s purpose is to conduct voluntary assessments for child care centers and family child care homes attempting to earn a higher star rating in the North Carolina Star Rated License system. ECERS-R assessments are also completed for NC Pre-K program requirements.
The NC Star Rated License is determined by points earned in two components:
- Program Standards
- Staff Education Standards
In addition, a quality point can be earned for meeting enhanced standards for staff education and program standards. Child care programs with higher rating scale scores can earn more Program Standards points. For additional information regarding North Carolina’s Star Rated License, visit the DCDEE website: ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov.
Ready to learn more? Go to ncrlap.org to
- Plan for the assessment process
- View and download important documents such as the additional notes and packet materials
- Engage with online training resources such as videos, webcasts, documents, and worksheets
- Register for NCRLAP training events and online webinars.
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