The present study is based on longitudinal data from a German early childhood education and care (ECEC) governmental initiative assessing children's grammatical and vocabulary development between 2;6 and 4;0 years (N = 1,331), quality of the home learning environment and quality of the preschool setting. Results showed that the quality of the home…

Describes how the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS), used to assess quality characteristics of early-childhood classrooms, was adapted for use in Germany and Portugal. Reports on a comparative study of classrooms in the two countries. Finds greater differences between eastern and western Germany than between western Germany and…

Examined relations between structural and process quality in preschool classrooms across four countries. Structural quality variables included classroom, center, wage, and regional characteristics. Found differences in levels of structural variables used in the different countries, although many of the same structural features affected process…