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Best Practices for Using the CORT

The Caregiving Observation and Reflection Tool (CORT) provides a systematic framework to observe and document interactions and experiences that occur within programs. The goal of the CORT is to observe and document a professionals caregiving practice across five domains and use this information to support collaborative coaching partnerships and goal setting that seek to enhance and refine professionals’ practices over time. In this webinar, we review current research regarding supporting seasoned professionals and how tools like the CORT can be leveraged to motivate and support professional growth. We highlight recent updates made to the CORT and recommend implementation practices. Additionally, we discuss elements of focused observations, providing quality feedback, and supporting goal setting related to the competencies outlined in the CORT.

Please note within this webinar we state that the CORT can be used with seasoned professionals which could include Family Child Care providers. Most evidence-informed actions and behaviors assessed in the CORT apply to all care and education professionals serving children and youth 12 years of age and younger, even those working in family child care homes. However, later in 2024, the Family Child Care Program Quality Observation Tool will launch within the Inspection Management System and will become the preferred tool to observe and guide family child care provider’s practice. You can learn more about this observational tool and the accompanying self-reflection guide in Lesson 5 of the Valuing & Building Family Child Care Focused Topics course: /focused-topics/valuing-and-building-family-child-care/lesson-5.

³Ô¹ÏÍø Lessons & Resources Referenced
³Ô¹ÏÍø Lessons and Activities
References & Resources
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