General FAQs
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Who should use the Go Green Rating Scale for Early Childhood Settings?
The Go Green Rating Scale was developed for use in any early childhood setting, including licensed family child care, center care, preschools, and Head Start programs. If you want to provide the healthiest, safest setting possible for children, the Go Green Rating Scale is for you.
Why should I use the Go Green Rating Scale for Early Childhood Settings?
This research-based rating scale provides standards and measures to help you offer the healthiest environment possible for growing children. As an early childhood professional, you work hard to keep children healthy and safe, yet evidence suggests conditions commonly found in early childhood settings may have serious impacts on the health and well-being of the children in your care.
How is the Go Green Rating Scale for Early Childhood Settings different from other environmental rating scales?
The Go Green Rating Scale defines and measures issues related to environmental health and care of the Earth. It does not measure items commonly thought of as part of the “classroom environment” such as children’s materials and teacher-child interactions. You can use the Go Green Rating Scale in addition to a traditional environmental rating scale.
What is the difference between the Go Green Rating Scale and Go Green Rating Scale Handbook?
The rating scale is designed to be an educational tool as well as a measure of conditions. It is intended to guide and support improvements that ensure a healthier environment for young children, staff, and volunteers in early childhood settings.
The handbook is a complementary product that provides additional information, background, and examples for each scale. The handbook will help you achieve and maintain your desired level of green.
How long does the Go Green Rating Scale take to administer?
The rating scale is best completed over several days. However, if you choose to administer the rating scale without interruption from start to finish, expect it to take approximately three to four hours. This time will vary depending on how readily available certain information and records are to you. Before administering the scale, it is a good idea to read through the entire book to find out what kinds of information you may need to assemble in order to complete each of the items.
What do I do after I am done with the rating scale?
Your initial score provides a benchmark that shows where your program stands. The results can be used as a roadmap for improvement. After you complete the rating scale, it is recommended that you develop a plan for improvement. The Go Green Rating Scale Handbook will help you develop a comprehensive plan to create the safest and greenest program possible. This might include a note to call your licensing contact, a reminder to switch an existing product for a green alternative, or a plan to carry out a series of inspections. After you plan and implement improvements, complete the rating score again. This score will give you a clear picture of the results of your green plan.
How much do the rating scale and handbook cost?
Go Green Rating Scale for Early Childhood Settings
$19.95
Go Green Rating Scale for Early Childhood Settings Handbook: Improving Your Score
$29.95
Are families involved? Who else is involved?
The Go Green Rating Scale program encourages family, staff, and community involvement. The handbook provides sample letters to inform families about the benefits of green child care.
As part of your green plan, you may also want to involve other property management parties including landlords, building managers, governing boards, and outside service providers such as landscapers, pest control operators, and cleaners. Work with these staff and service providers to ensure they match and support your green goals and dedication to provide a healthy environment.
Does the rating scale meet third-party accreditation, NAEYC, Head Start, or other standards and/or guidelines?
The Go Green Rating Scale for Early Childhood Settings supports many best practices your facility may already be implementing. For instance, installing an appropriate amount of carbon monoxide detectors in the facility; routinely and frequently cleaning and sanitizing classrooms, bathrooms, and toys; and keeping records that the building has been tested for and is free of lead, asbestos, radon, and other hazardous materials are examples of practices you probably already partake in that are also recommended and/or required by your accreditation system.
Is the Go Green Rating Scale for Early Childhood Settings approved by my agency's third party endorser?
We encourage you to contact your state QRIS administrators and/or accrediting body and ask them if the Go Green Rating Scale for Early childhood Settings is approved. This rating scale helps you provide superior care in a safer, healthier child care setting.
