All Things CLASS

Hello! Thanks for your question. When observing a class that is majority 3-year-olds, especially if they are aging out of a birth-to-3 program, it’s generally appropriate to use the Toddler CLASS observation if the teachers are primarily focusing on toddler-age skills and interactions.

However, if the developmental level and classroom practices align more closely with the Preschool CLASS framework, you might consider transitioning to that tool as the children approach age 3, even if they’re still in the birth–3 setting.

For specific guidance tailored to your program, feel free to reach out to Teachstone support at support@teachstone.com or call (866) 998-8352. We’re happy to help clarify which observation tool best fits your needs!

Using the Toddler CLASS tool can still make sense if the focus of instruction and interactions continues to reflect toddler-level developmental needs, even if most of the kids are 3. The key seems to be less about the exact age and more about the type of interactions and routines happening in the classroom.

That said, if the environment starts to shift toward more structured, pre-K-type experiences, it might be worth considering how the Preschool CLASS tool could capture those changes more accurately.