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…

Questions of "quality" of pre- and out of school-provisions for children and their families have been raised increasingly in all modern societies since the early nineties. The appropriateness of pedagogical frameworks and approaches have not been the only issues in the debate. Other strands, for instance, have been focussing on adequate…