Child Care Checklist

Caregiver:

Is warm, friendly, positive, and accepting

Listens and talks with children, gives individual attention

Makes eye contact and is on the floor playing & talking with children

Uses positive words when speaking with children

Curriculum:

Provides places to play actively and quietly including a quiet place to read & relax

Provides the opportunity to play outside in a safe, age-appropriate area

Supplies a wide assortment of age-appropriate toys to encourage interactive, hands-on learning, such as building blocks, props for dramatic play, books, art materials, pegboards and puzzles

Provides learning activities about different cultures

Encourages curiosity and questioning

Staff/Parent Relationship:

Provides daily feedback about each child’s day

Encourages parent involvement and input

Makes families feel welcome

Schedules time to discuss each child’s progress periodically

Addresses needs and concerns of families promptly

Offers an open-door policy, parents are encouraged to visit

Provides written policies, such as a parent handbook

Staffing is consistent & staff turnover is low

Staff has education, experience & receives on-going training in child development

Environment:

Group size & child to teacher ratio allows for individual attention

Is safe, cheerful, comfortable, neat & clean

Is large enough for all children to move freely and safely

Meals:

Provide well balanced nutrition

Serve as a time to develop good eating habits and social skills as caregivers sit and interact with children

Babies are held during bottle feeding