Validating ecers-r scale in some regions of Chile

Abstract

This article presents the first psychometric results for the Revised Early Childhood Environment Qualification Scale (ECERS-R) applied in Chile. This instrument was applied in 81 activity rooms of 81 educational centers in four regions of Chile. To evaluate the constructive validity, two parallel instruments were also applied: Pre-school Pedagogical Activity Observation Evaluation (CEDEP) and the Caregiver Interaction Scale (CIS). Wide ranges were obtained in the scores per item, total quality and sub-scales. Internal consistency procedures indicated that the total scale and the sub-scales are highly reliable. A high positive correlation was detected with CIS and the activities that favor cognitive and socio-emotional development in the CEDEP evaluation, which indicates convergent validity. Finally, a negative correlation was found between ECERS-R and the outline activities that are prejudicial to both earlier developments since they are simultaneously an indicator of discriminatory or divergent validity.