High-quality classroom environments are a critical foundation for early childhood programs. They provide engaging focal points that enrich teacher-child interactions and inspire children’s independent play and exploration. The Classroom Environment Checklist (CEC) is a tool that early childhood professionals can use to evaluate and improve their classroom environments. The tool can be used to set goals for classroom enhancements, track progress over time, and provide a direction for coaching or technical assistance. CLI now includes this tool for three age groups: Infant & Toddler, Prekindergarten, and Kindergarten, and a goal-setting form to guide and focus quality improvement.
Infant & Toddler CEC
The Infant & Toddler CEC helps professionals document the presence and quality of toys, materials, books, and other important classroom features, as well as general classroom arrangement. Most of the items in this tool apply to both infant- and toddler-aged classrooms in center-based and home-based child care settings. Download the PDF version of the CEC for infant and toddler classrooms using the following link.
CIRCLE Infant & Toddler Classroom Environment Checklist
The digital version of the Infant & Toddler Classroom Environment Checklist is accessible from the Quality Improvement section of the dashboard. It can be accessed by TSR Online eligible Head Start, higher education, Local Workforce Development Board, and TSR Comprehensive programs. Included in the digital CEC are photographic examples of high-quality infant and toddler classrooms for each item included on the checklist.
Prekindergarten CEC
The Pre-K CEC focuses on the presence and quality level of instructional planning tools (e.g., lesson plans, progress monitoring tools), meaningful literacy and print centers and materials (e.g., letter wall, availability of books), and the overall design and management of the preschool classroom and individual centers. The PDF can be downloaded from the following link and a digital version of the tool is accessible from the dashboard for TSR Online-eligible organizations.
Watch CLI’s video on setting up your pre-K classroom, that can be used in collaboration with the CEC.
CIRCLE Pre-K Classroom Environment Checklist
Pre-K Classroom Environment Checklist Analysis
The Pre-K Classroom Environment Checklist Analysis provides key points on the benefits for the classroom and the opportunities available to children when the items are fully met at a level three.
Pre-K Classroom Environment Checklist Analysis
Kindergarten CEC
The Kindergarten Classroom Environment Checklist (KCEC) is a 22-item observation tool that evaluates the presence and quality level of important areas, materials, and concepts in a Kindergarten classroom. The KCEC enables teachers to set the stage for successful learning as students engage in the classroom experience.
Watch our KCEC webinar to learn more about the KCEC’s development, and best practices for use.
CIRCLE Kindergarten Classroom Environment Checklist
High-Quality Classroom Examples
Infant-Toddler ExamplesPre-K Examples
These photographs are examples of high-quality implementation of each item on the CEC. They can help guide setting up developmentally appropriate infant and toddler classrooms.
Infant & Toddler CEC Items |
High-Quality Photograph Examples |
|---|---|
| Basic Classroom Arrangement | Infant A | Infant B | Toddler A | Toddler B |
| Lesson Plans | Infant A | Infant B | Toddler A | Toddler B | Toddler C |
| Sensory Exploration | Example A | Example B | Example C | Example D |
| Math | Infant A | Infant B | Toddler A | Toddler B | Toddler C |
| Problem Solving | Infant A | Infant B | Toddler A | Toddler B |
| Science (Toddlers Only) | Example A | Example B | Example C | Example D |
| Natural Materials | Example A | Example B | Example C | Example D |
| Pretend Play (Toddlers Only) | Example A | Example B | Example C | Example D |
| Visual Daily Schedule (Toddlers Only) | Example A | Example B | Example C |
| Thematic Connections (Toddlers Only) | Example A | Example B | Example C | Example D |
| Children’s Books | Infant A | Infant B | Toddler A | Toddler B |
| Sound, Speech, and Listening | Example A | Example B | Example C | Example D |
| Meaningful Print (Toddlers Only) | Example A | Example B | Example C | Example D |
| Child/Family Photos | Infant A | Infant B | Toddler A | Toddler B |
| Representations of Diversity | Example A | Example B | Example C | Example D |
| Emotional Awareness | Infant A | Toddler A | Toddler B | Toddler C |
| Self-Regulation | Infant A | Infant B | Toddler A | Toddler B |
| Children’s Artwork (Toddlers Only) | Example A | Example B | Example C |
| Fine Motor Play | Infant A | Toddler A | Toddler B | Toddler C |
| Gross Motor Play | Infant A | Infant B | Toddler A | Toddler B |
| Outdoor Area for Infants | Example A | Example B | Example C |
| Outdoor Area for Toddlers | Example A | Example B | Example C | Example D |
After completing the Classroom Environment Checklist in the classroom, teachers and administrators can view the following photographs as examples of high-quality implementation of each item on the CEC. If needed, these photographs can help guide developmentally appropriate preschool classroom set-up.
Pre-K CEC Domain |
High-Quality Photograph Examples |
|---|---|
| Basic Classroom Arrangement | Example A | Example B | Example C |
| Center Management System | Example A | Example B | Example C |
| Variety of Accessible Center Materials | Example A | Example B | Example C |
| Center Material Labels | Example A | Example B | Example C | Example D |
| Books in Centers | Example A | Example B | Example C |
| Writing Tools in Centers | Example A | Example B | Example C |
| Book Availability | Example A | Example B |
| Interactive Read Aloud Supports | Example A | Example B | Example C |
| Shared or Interactive Writing | Example A | Example B | Example C | Example D |
| Writing Journals | Example A | Example B | Example C |
| Alphabet/PA Activities | Example A | Example B | Example C |
| Children’s Names | Example A | Example B | Example C | Example D |
| Letter Wall | Example A | Example B | Example C |
| Authentic Print | Example A | Example B | Example C |
| Children’s Daily Schedule | Example A | Example B | Example C |
| Rules Chart | Example A | Example B |
| Helper Chart | Example A | Example B | Example C |
| Lesson Plan | Example A | Example B | Example C |
| Thematic Connections | Example A | Example B | Example C |
| Assessment Techniques | Example A | Example B | Example C |
| Children’s Work Display | Example A | Example B | Example C |
CEC Goal-Setting Form
This goal-setting template is specifically designed to align with the Classroom Environment Checklists. The user-friendly customization allows for an easy deconstruction of goals into manageable steps, establishes timelines, and maintains focus on achieving those goals.