Parent Checklist
We understand choosing a child care facility is an important decision
in the future of your child's development. Here are some questions about atmosphere,
programs, and staff you should ask when looking into a child care provider.
Atmosphere:
- Is the setting bright and pleasant?
- Do the children seem happy and relaxed?
- Is there a fenced-in outdoor play area with a variety of safe equipment?
- Is there pleanty of space for the children in each of these areas?
Program:
- Does the curriculum meet national standards for quality as defined by the National
Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)?
- Are language and literacy-skills development part of the daily program?
- Are activities balanced between vigorous outdoor play and quiet indoor play?
- Are self-help skills such as dressing, toilet training, resting, washing and eating
encouraged as children are ready?
- Is there a positive method of discipline through education versus punishment?
- Are children given opportunites to select activites of interest to them?
- Are field trips and enrichment activites part of the program?
Staff:
- Do the teachers interact positively with the children?
- Are teachers educated and experienced in early childhood education?
- Are teachers required to have training and certification in CPR and first aid?
- Do the teachers receive annual performance evaluations?
- Are teachers involved in a contnuing education and/or training program?
- Is there a positive method of discipline through educaion versus punishment?
- Does the staff meet regularly to plan and evaluate the curriculum?