Child Care Checklist for Parents*
Increasing
evidence has emerged to show that
children's learning opportunities in the
years before kindergarten have an
important effect on their performance in
school and ultimately their ability to
contribute to society as adults. The
Office of Child Development and Early
Learning provides this check list to
help parents find the quality child care
providers, such as those participating
in the Keystone STARS program.
What to
look for in a quality child care program
When visiting a
program, ask these questions.
Your answers to
these questions should be "yes".
Facility:
Is the provider
certified by the Department of Public
Welfare and is the certification notice
posted? ______
Does the provider participate in
Keystone STARS? ______
Are there appropriate toys and materials
for children of all age groups? ______
Does the provider encourage you to drop
in and visit at any time? ______
Staff:
Does staff
communicate daily with parents about
their child’s progress? ______
Does staffing allow for each child to
receive individual attention? ______
Does staff sit and read to the children?
______
Does staff seem patient and receptive to
children’s needs? ______
Is staff respectful of children? ______
Is staff respectful of parents? ______
Does staff encourage children’s sharing,
manners, and other good behaviors?
______
Does staff appear lively, smiling, and
interacting in a positive manner with
the children? ______
Does staff involve children in daily
learning activities? ______
Safety:
Does the facility
appear orderly and clean? ______
Are hazardous materials locked away?
______
Is there an emergency plan and is it
posted? ______
Are there security measures in place?
______
Is there a policy for sick children and
other circumstances? ______
Children:
Do the children
have a consistent routine that they can
understand and follow? ______
Do the children seem occupied and
engaged? ______
Are the children involved in activities
that promote learning? ______
Is there a policy on discipline? ______
Do the children seem happy? ______
Feelings:
Is your initial
reaction upon entering the site a
positive one? ______
Is this a place my child would enjoy?
______
Would my child be safe here? ______
Would I/we feel comfortable using this
program? ______
Would my child learn new things every
day at this program? ______ |
