CLIENT
Katherine Magnuson, Associate Professor of Social Work and Associate Director of the Institute on Poverty, UW-Madison
DESCRIPTION
The Wisconsin Early Childcare Study (WECCS) is a validation study designed to examine whether child care providers in the state of Wisconsin with higher ratings are better able to promote healthy development and learning. The study began in the summer of 2013, by randomly selecting approximately 160 child care providers serving children in two communities (Milwaukee county and the northeast region of the state). From these providers, approximately 800 three- to five- year olds were randomly selected to participate in the study. Their development and learning was assessed by UWSC field staff twice – in the fall of 2013 and the spring of 2014. Assessments included the 2001 Woodcock-Johnson III, the Bracken School Readiness Assessment (BSRA-3), and the Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes (HTKS task). At the same time, site administrators, teachers, and parents were surveyed about individual children’s behavior and well-being, as well as their own experiences with the YoungStar child care quality ratings program. Site administrators and teachers were asked to complete self-administered questionnaires. Parents were asked to complete a telephone interview. Spanish language interviews were conducted as needed for both children and parents.
From November 2013 – April 2014, UWSC staff conducted observational site assessments using the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS) and the Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale (FCCERS).
PROJECT DIRECTOR
Kerryann DiLoreto, Rae Ganci, and Jaime Faus
DATE IN FIELD
June 2013 – June 2014