An Introduction to the Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale®, Third Edition

On February 1, 2025, North Carolina moved away from using the Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale®, Revised (ITERS-R) to assess child care classroom quality and replaced the measure with the Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale®, Third Edition (ITERS-3). In this blog, we will discuss the differences between ITERS-R and ITERS-3 and where to get more information and resources.

Key Differences:

• In ITERS-3, there is a greater focus on responsive language and interactions as the children use classroom materials.
• There is no longer an interview component to the assessment process; the scores are based on what the assessor observes in a three-hour observation.
• The ITERS-3 has expanded the age range for its use for children up to 36 months old.
• Nap has been added to Personal Care Routines.
• Requirements for soft furnishings and cozy areas are now included in Furnishings and Room Arrangement.
• Books are now included in two items: Staff Use Books with Children and Encouraging Children’s Use of Books.
• Math/Number has been added to the activities subscale.
• Sand and Water is now included in Science/Nature.
• There is no longer a separate item for considering children with disabilities, this is now considered across other items.

The North Carolina Rated License Assessment Project (NCRLAP) is offering free outreach assessments on the ITERS-3 and Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale®, Third Edition (ECERS-3) that will not count against your center, yet will prepare you for the new measure. If you are interested, you can email ncrlap@uncg.edu or call (866)362-7527 to schedule your free observation.

You can find more information on the ITERS-3 and training opportunities on the NCRLAP website: ncrlap.org.