In the foundation of the House, we have in-services on well-organized classrooms.

• Zoning: Staffing to Maximize Learning provides guidelines for organizing staff to maximize children's engagement in learning during daily routines.
• Teacher-to-Teacher Talk addresses strategies to ensure effective communication among staff around teaching and learning.

In the foundation of the house there is a training module on Assessing and Strengthening the Foundation developed by the Head Start Center for Inclusion. Included in this module are handouts and videos demonstrating how to ask a friend to play.

The Foundation of the NCQTL House Framework is similar to domains as described in CLASS. The Foundation – Engaging Interactions and Environments – is broken down into three parts: Social and Emotional Support, Well-Organized Classrooms, and Instructional Interactions. Many of NCQTL's 15-minute in-services provide descriptions, examples, tips and other training materials for understanding and using effective practices related to these three broad CLASS domains such as fostering children's thinking skills, engaging children in conversations, effective classroom transitions, and many more.

NCQTL does not recommend a specific screening or assessment tool.

The Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (OPRE) has developed two compendiums that provide information on selecting assessment tools.

• Understanding and Choosing Assessments and Development Screeners for Young Children Ages 3-5: Profiles of Selected Measures [PDF, 1.70MB]
• Resources for Measuring Services and Outcomes in Head Start Programs Serving Infants & Toddlers

NCQTL has developed the Curriculum, Assessment and the Head Start Framework: An Alignment Review Tool [PDF, 448.10KB] to help programs examine assessment tools and see if they align with the Head Start Child Development and Early Learning Framework.

It is important that, regardless of the screening or assessment tool that is used, teachers and others collect information that is correct, complete, and consistent. NCQTL is developing 15-minute in-services that provide descriptions, examples, tips and other training materials for collecting ongoing child assessment information.

Early Head Start Tip Sheet No. 6 (available in English and en Español) explains the differences between the screening and assessment of a child.

The Choosing a Preschool Curriculum [PDF, 492.59KB] guide developed by NCQTL has guidelines to help programs make informed decisions about choosing a preschool curriculum and assuring high-quality implementation of the curriculum in their program

In addition, here are two more resources that can help when selecting a curriculum:

• IES What Works Clearinghouse
• Effects of Preschool Curriculum Programs on School Readiness: Report from the Preschool Curriculum Evaluation Research Initiative

The Curriculum, Assessment and the Head Start Framework: An Alignment Review Tool [PDF, 448.10KB], developed by NCQTL, helps programs determine how well an early childhood assessment or curriculum aligns with the domains and domain elements identified in the Head Start Child Development and Early Learning Framework [PDF, 1.61MB] (HSCDELF, 2011).

Here are two recommended resources:

• Marvelous Explorations through Science and Stories (MESS) can help early childhood teachers develop confidence in introducing scientific discovery and concepts to young children.
• Why and How We Can Promote Science in Early Childhood is a 34-minute Front Porch Series: Broadcast Call that gives an overview on how young children's engage in inquiry and highlights how early childhood teachers can foster children's engagement in science.

• The Head Start Center for Inclusion has a wealth of resources available to include children with disabilities and supporting their families—including training materials, tools for teachers and coordinators, and other resources.
• The SpecialQuest Multimedia Library was designed to strengthen the inclusion of young children with disabilities and their families in programs serving infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Learning modules contain a presenter's guide, training scripts, handouts (in English and Spanish), and videos (in English, and with English and Spanish captioning).
• Day in the Life of a Disabilities Coordinator is a series of short videos that shows how a disabilities coordinator supports teachers and children in an inclusive classroom.
• See the Disabilities section on ECLKC for additional resources.

ECLKC provides a set of resources about collaboration.

A training module on Embedded Learning Opportunities from the Head Start Center for Inclusion addresses integrating IEP goals.

To view materials in the shorter version of the 15-minute in-services, you will need the following:

Windows

• Windows 7, Vista, or XP Service Pack 2 (SP2)
• Adobe Acrobat Reader
• Windows Media Player 10 or higher

Macintosh

• OS 10.4 or higher
• Adobe Acrobat Reader
• QuickTime 7 or higher

If your computer does not meet these requirements, you may have trouble viewing video or other materials in the 15-minute in-services.

To view the trainer version of the 15-minute in-services, you will need the following:

Windows

• Windows 7, Vista, or XP Service Pack 2 (SP2)
• Microsoft Office 2007 or newer
  If you are using Office 2007, you may need to download and install 2007 Microsoft Office Suite Service Pack 2.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader
• Window Media Player 10 or higher

Macintosh

• OS 10.4 or higher
• Microsoft Office 2008 or newer
• Adobe Acrobat Reader
• QuickTime 7 or higher
• Flip4Mac WMV ()
  Flip4Mac makes it possible for Macs to play the videos that are embedded in the PowerPoint presentation. You do not need to upgrade to the paid version.

If your computer does not meet these requirements, you may have trouble viewing video or other materials in the 15-minute in-services.

You must unzip the .zip file to view in-service materials. See instructions below.

Windows
Right-click the .zip file, then click Extract All, and then follow the instructions.

Macintosh
Double-click the .zip file. You will see a progress bar indicating that the file is being unzipped.

After the .zip file is unzipped, a folder containing the 15-minute in-service materials will appear next to the .zip file.

Yes! The archived video will be available online approximately 2-3 weeks after each presentation. The PowerPoint file will not be available for download, but the slides will be viewable in the archived video.

To participate in a broadcast call, you will need the following:

• A computer (either PC or Mac)
• Internet access
• Speakers connected to your computer OR the ability to call a long distance phone number while at your computer.

No, you will only need speakers, headphones, or the ability to call a long distance phone number while at your computer.

Unfortunately, no.

Yes, you may submit questions throughout the presentation via a chat function in the GoToWebinar platform that is used for the session. However, no questions will be answered during the presentation. There will be a 15-minute Question & Answer session directly following the presentation, and the facilitator will submit questions to the presenter at this time.

First, please consult GoToWebinar's Technical Support webpage. If you are unable to resolve your issue, please email ncqtl at uw dot edu.