Form C.10.5 Instruments

Appendix C C.10.5–1

Child Care Substudy Provider Interview

The Berkeley–Yale interviews for child care providers are telephone or in-person interviews designed to capture the quality of the child care setting. These interviews cover physical features of the child care setting, activities done in the setting, interpersonal interactions in the setting, and the relationship between the provider and parents. Additionally, provider education and experience are included in the questions. These questionnaires were designed to be used as an alternative to more burdensome observations of the child care setting by a trained professional.

Administration Time:

20–30 minutes

Administration Method:

Interview of child care provider can be administered either in person or by phone. Plan is to administer by phone at time of scheduling for environmental appointment.

Administration Procedures:

The interview is conducted with the child care provider and asks about the child care setting and provider rather than about the child. There are two alternate forms, one for Child Care Centers and the other for Family Day Care Homes. Only one of the two forms is administered to a provider. The choice of form is determined by the type of child care setting.

Child Care Centers

This 22-item questionnaire covers a variety of aspects of quality of the child care center setting, including space and furnishings, personal care routines, language-reasoning experiences, activities, interpersonal interactions (staff–child and child–child) in the care setting, and parent relations and services. Questions pertaining to caregiver background and training also are asked.

Family Day Care Homes

This 29–item questionnaire covers a variety of aspects of quality of limited-resource child care settings, including space and furnishings, basic care routines, language-reasoning experiences, learning activities, and parent–staff relations and services. Questions pertaining to the provider’s amount of experience in the child-care field, education level, membership in a professional caregiver organization, and opportunities to attend child-care related training or conferences also are addressed.

Berkeley–Yale Telephone Interview for Child Care Centers (BYTI-C)

Introduction

Hello, my name is ________ and I am calling from __________. [Fill in particulars here regarding how they were selected]. I’d like to talk with you about your child-care classroom. Our conversation should take about 20 to 30 minutes. Is this a convenient time for you to talk?

(If YES: Great! Can we begin now?).

(If NO: I’d be happy to call back at a more convenient time if that would make a difference to you.)

(If still NO: Thank you for your time.)

We know how challenging it can be a child-care teacher, given limited resources, space, and time. In order for us to get an accurate picture, we ask that you listen carefully to each question and respond with the answer that you feel best characterizes your classroom.

For the sake of time, it would be helpful if, as I read the questions, you respond with letter—a, b, c, or d—of the response that best describes your classroom. At the end of the survey you will have a chance to say more about particular questions I asked, if you choose.

Your responses are completely confidential and we will assign you an identification number rather than use your name. Do you have any other questions before we begin?

Program Size

1. On a typical morning, that is, between 9 am and noon, how many children are present in your classroom? _________ children

2. On a typical morning, including yourself, how many people work with you in the classroom? By this, I mean people who are teachers or aides. ________ workers

Space & Furnishings

3. Different programs organize their space in different ways, especially as far as dividing rooms into separate learning centers. Which of the following best describes your room?

a. There is not enough space or materials to establish separate learning centers.

b. There are at least 2 learning centers, but they are not separated from the rest of the room.

c. There are at least 3 learning centers that are separated from the rest of the room and are well-equipped.

d. There are at least 5 well-equipped learning centers providing a variety of learning experiences. Children are able to help themselves to what they need.

Language-Reasoning Experiences

4. Sometimes budgets don’t allow child-care providers to purchase all the toys and materials they would like. The next question refers specifically to the amount of educational materials relating to language development, including books as well as music tapes and picture card games. Which best describes your classroom?

a. There are few books in the classroom.

b. Children have enough books to avoid conflict, if several want to use them during free play.

c. There is a wide selection of books available for a substantial portion of the day. Some additional language materials are used daily.

d. The classroom has a large variety of materials in good condition present for free choice and supervised use. There are enough materials of sufficient variety that the teacher can rotate them every few weeks.

5. Now I am interested in communication activities such as talking about drawings, sharing ideas at circle time, singing songs. Which of the following best fits your classroom?

a. There is rarely time for communication activities.

b. There are 1 or 2 communication activities a week.

c. Communication activities take place daily during both free play and group times.

d. The staff designs daily communication activities for free play and group time. Some of the activities link children’s spoken communication with written language, for example, a teacher writes down a story as the children dictate.

Activities

6. When it comes to materials involving fine motor skills and hand–eye coordination, such as pegboards and puzzles, which best describes your class?

a. Few materials are present in the classroom. Some materials are missing pieces or are damaged.

b. The classroom has some materials that are in fair to good condition, although the classroom could use a wider variety of materials.

c. The classroom has many materials in good condition. Materials are on different levels of difficulty.

d. There are enough good materials that you can rotate them every few weeks.

7. When it comes to art activities and materials, which best describes your setting?

a. There are few art materials available every day for the children.

b. There are some art materials, including those where children are able to express themselves in their own way.

c. There are many, varied art materials accessible by the children. There is much individual expression in the use of these materials.

d. In addition to option c, there are three-dimensional art materials such as clay. Some of the art activities are related to other classroom experiences, such as painting with fall colors when learning about the seasons.

8. Centers vary greatly on the amount of space and resources available to provide sand and water play.

8a. Do you have provisions for sand play (or a similar material like rice) indoors?

a. Yes

b. No

8b. What about sand play outdoors?

a. Yes

b. No

8c. What about water play indoors?

a. Yes

b. No

8d. What about water play outdoors?

a. Yes

b. No

9. I am interested in the materials available for dress-up or dramatic play activities. Which best describes your classroom?

a. There are no special materials available for dramatic play.

b. There are some props available for dramatic play, mostly to play house.

c. There is a variety of dramatic play props and they involve at least two themes. For example, house keeping and work.

d. Dramatic play materials are rotated occasionally to provide a complete change of themes. Pictures, stories and trips are used to enrich dramatic play.

10. Do the children have access to a television?

a. Yes

b. No

11. Do the children have access to a VCR?

a. Yes

b. No

12. When it comes to the amount that children are supervised as they play with gross motor equipment such as tricycles, which best describes your classroom?

a. There is not always enough staff to watch children as they play with gross motor equipment.

b. The children are supervised by staff to avoid accidents. Otherwise, children are encouraged to play on their own.

c. Children using gross motor equipment are given help when they ask for it.

d. Staff talk with children as they play, asking them to talk about what they are doing. Staff provide additional resources and guide children in their play.

13. For how much of the day are the children doing an activity as a whole group—such as listening to a tape or doing the same art project?

a. Most of the day

b. 50–75% of the day

c. 25–50% of the day

d. Less than 25% of the day

14. How often do the children in your class use work sheets to learn a skill? By this we mean exercises to learn their ABCs or practice numbers, not drawing or art.

a. Every day

b. A few times a week

c. A few times a month

d. A few times a year or never.

Interaction

15. Which of the following best describes your classroom as far as the amount and type of interaction between staff and children?

a. Due to their many responsibilities, some staff members are sometimes too busy to respond immediately when a child wants their attention.

b. The staff usually have the time to respond to children who ask for attention, but they sometimes feel hurried.

c. The staff have ample time to listen to each child who wants attention.

16. As far as children’s interactions with each other, which best characterizes your classroom?

a. The children often seem to be by themselves or get into conflicts when they try to play with peers.

b. The children’s interactions with peers are usually positive. They usually play well together without fighting.

c. The children seem to have formed strong emotional connections with each other. They play together and are usually able to resolve differences of opinion.

Parents and Staff

17. How much time were you able to spend during the last 12 months at child-related training programs, workshops, or conferences?

a. Less than 5 hours

b. 5 to 10 hours

c. 11 to 20 hours

d. More than 20 hours

18. Are you a member of a formal group or association of people who work with young children?

a. Yes

b. No

19. Some centers have the resources to provide for professional materials, workshops, courses, and/or in-service training. Which of the following best describes your center?

a. The center doesn’t have the resources to provide professional materials or in-service training.

b. There is some in-service training for staff and occasional staff meetings.

c. Monthly staff meetings are used to handle administrative concerns and include staff development activities. Books and magazines about child care are available on-site.

d. Financial support is available for staff to attend conferences or workshops and to purchase materials.

20. Are staff with less than an AA degree in early childhood education required to continue formal education?

a. Yes

b. No

21. How long have you worked as a teacher or aide in the child-care field? ____________ years

22. What is your highest level of education? Stop me when I get to the one that applies to you.

a. Less than high school

b. GED, high school diploma, or CDA credential

c. Some college

d. 2-year/associate’s degree

e. 4-year/bachelor’s degree

f. Master’s degree

Is there anything you’d like to add about any of the questions I’ve asked? Thank you very much for your help.

Berkeley–Yale Telephone Interview for Family Child-Care Homes (BYTI-F)

Introduction

Hello, my name is ________ and I am calling from __________. [Fill in particulars here regarding how they were selected]. I’d like to talk with you about your family child-care home. Our conversation should take about 20 to 30 minutes. Is this a convenient time for you to talk?

(If YES: Great! Can we begin now?).

(If NO: I’d be happy to call back at a more convenient time if that would make a difference to you.)

(If still NO: Thank you for your time.)

We know how challenging it can be to run a child-care setting given limited resources, space, and time. In order for us to get an accurate picture, we ask that you listen carefully to each question and respond with the answer that best characterizes your setting.

For the sake of time, it would be helpful if, as I read the questions, you respond with the letter—a, b, c, or d—of the response that best describes your family child-care home. At the end of the survey you will have a chance to say more about particular questions I asked, if you choose.

Your responses are completely confidential and we will assign you an identification number rather than use your name. Do you have any questions before we begin?

Program Size

1. On a typical morning, that is, between 9 am and noon, how many children are present in your setting? _________ children

2. On a typical morning, including yourself, how many people work with you in your setting? ________ workers

Space & Furnishings

3. Family child-care settings vary as to the amount of space they have available to post child-related pictures and art work. Which describes your child-care setting?

a. There is no space available to display child-related pictures, mobiles, or children’s art work.

b. There is some children’s art work displayed and you have some store-bought or adult-made pictures for children to look at.

c. There is much children’s work displayed, at least two items per child enrolled. Some of it is down low at the child’s eye level.

d. There are many items of interest to children displayed where the children can see them. The display is changed at least monthly to match the children’s activities and interests.

4. Do you have any areas in your setting that are specifically set up just for one type of play, like a block area or a dress-up area?

a. Yes

b. No

5. Which best describes how you prevent children from breaking fragile objects like flower vases?

a. You teach children not to touch them.

b. You remove them from the areas used by children.

6. How satisfied are you with the amount of space you have for children?

a. Somewhat satisfied

b. Moderately satisfied

c. Very satisfied

7. We are interested in learning about the availability of items for active play, for example, tricycles. Which best describes your child-care setting?

a. Little active play equipment is available at this time.

b. You have some equipment in good condition, but there is not a lot of variety.

c. The room has a wide variety of equipment in good condition.

d. The room has many different kinds of equipment in good condition. The equipment stimulates skills on different levels. For example, tricycles with and without pedals.

Basic Care Routines

8. We’re interested in how things go when children arrive in the morning. Which of the following is most like your child-care setting?

a. You are often too busy to greet children individually.

b. Most of the children and parents will be greeted as they arrive. With so many families coming and going, however, some children may arrive without being greeted.

c. You greet each child and parent upon arrival.

d. You have a conversation with each child and parent upon arrival. You also use this time to talk informally with the parents or to help a child become involved in an activity.

9. How often do you have a chance to sit with the children while they are eating?

a. Never

b. Sometimes

c. Often

d. Always

Language-Reasoning Experiences

10. Sometimes budgets don’t allow child-care providers to purchase all the toys and materials they would like. The next question refers specifically to the amount of educational materials relating to language development, including books as well as music tapes and picture card games. Which best describes your program?

a. There are fewer than 6 children’s books and no other materials available.

b. There are at least 10 children’s books and some other materials that you use at least 3 times a week.

c. There are at least 20 children’s books and various other materials for the children. You have at least one daily planned activity, such as reading or saying nursery rhymes.

d. You check out materials from the library once a month or add to the material in other ways and use them in daily activities.

11. On an average day, how many minutes per day does someone read aloud to the children?

________________ minutes

12. How often do you ask children specific questions about the story when you read aloud?

a. Every day

b. Most of the time

c. Sometimes

d. Rarely

13. Which best represents the type of informal conversation that takes place in your setting?

a. You talk with the children primarily while managing routines like toileting, or to correct a child’s behavior.

b. You have time for short, social conversations with most of the children.

c. You have many conversations with children and try to make comments that build on ideas presented by them.

d. You make sure to have a conversation with each child every day and often ask questions to encourage them to talk more.

Learning Activities

14. When it comes to materials involving hand–eye coordination, such as pegboards and puzzles, which best describes your setting?

a. At this time, I have no hand–eye coordination materials.

b. There are some hand–eye materials available for children to use independently.

c. There is a variety of hand–eye materials as well as space to play with the materials.

d. I have a wide range of materials that are rotated to maintain interest. They also are organized and labeled to encourage self-help.

15. When it comes to art activities and materials, which best describes your setting?

a. There are no art materials available for use by children.

b. There are some materials, including drawing, at least twice a week.

c. There are crayons and paper, or other drawing materials available daily. Art materials needing supervision are planned at least 3 times a week, such as cutting and pasting, or painting.

d. There are at least 2 different activities offered daily. Activities include at least one 3-dimensional material per week, such as clay or carpentry.

16. Family child-care homes vary greatly on the amount of space and resources available to provide sand and water play.

16a. Do you have provisions for sand play (or a similar material like rice) indoors?

a. Yes

b. No

16b. What about sand play outdoors?

a. Yes

b. No

16c. What about water play indoors?

a. Yes

b. No

16d. What about water play outdoors?

a. Yes

b. No

17. I am interested in the resources available for dress-up or dramatic play activities. Which best describes your child-care setting?

a. There are not special materials available for dramatic play.

b. There are some props available for dramatic play, mostly to play house.

c. There is a variety of dramatic play props and they involve at least two themes. For example, house keeping and work.

d. There is a variety of props involving two themes. The props are arranged in their own space and include child-sized play furniture, like a small stove or a baby stroller.

18. How often do the children have access to the computer?

a. Every day

b. A few times a week

c. A few times a month

d. A few times a year or never

19. How often do they have access to the television or videos?

a. Every day

b. A few times a week

c. A few times a month

d. A few times a year or never

20. How often do you talk with the children about what they are watching on the television or VCR?

a. Always

b. Often

c. Sometimes

d. Rarely or never

21. How often do the children in your setting use work sheets to learn a skill? By this we mean exercises to learn their ABCs or practice numbers, not drawing or art.

a. Every day

b. A few times a week

c. A few times a month

d. A few times a year or never.

Parents and Staff

24. Do you have a regularly scheduled parent conference?

a. Yes

b. No

25. I am interested in knowing how you are able to balance personal and caregiving responsibilities. Which description best describes you?

a. Many housekeeping duties and family errands come up throughout the day.

b. You make some changes in your own schedule of housekeeping and family errands on a day-to-day basis to meet caregiving responsibilities.

c. You make plans so that family responsibilities and caregiving seldom interfere with one another. You have a substitute available as an emergency back-up.

26. Some providers have the opportunity to attend child-related training, workshops, or conferences. How much time did you spend during the last 12 months at child-related training programs, workshops, or conferences?

a. Less than 5 hours

b. 5 to 10 hours

c. 11 to 20 hours

d. More than 20 hours

27. Are you a member of a formal group or association of people who work with young children?

a. Yes

b. No

28. We would like to find out a little bit about you and your job. How long have you worked as a provider in the child care field? ____________ years

29. What is your highest level of education? Stop me when I get to the one that applies to you.

a. Less than high school

b. GED, high school diploma, or CDA credential

c. Some college

d. 2-year/associate’s degree

e. 4-year/bachelor’s degree

f. Master’s degree

Is there anything else you’d like at add about the questions I’ve asked you?

Thank you very much for your help.