There are many things you must look at to be sure that your child is in a safe and healthy place in which he can grow and learn as he should. The next few pages have checklists for you to use when you visit a potential child care placement for your child. It is divided into sections which look at areas such as the provider and her ability to work with your child, safety, nutrition, etc. Use the checklist, and discuss any "NO" answers with the provider. The answers you get will help you decide where you want your child to be.

A Provider To Help Your Child Grow.

Your provider sets the model for your child to learn to love, care, and share. She must be able to care for your child's needs.

A good provider is qualified.

YES	NO
____	____	Takes classes and workshops on child development and has experience in working with children. Has plans to continue learning about child care.
____	____	Has a current certificate in first aid.
____	____	Has worked with children your child's age.
____	____	Is recommended by parents who have used her services.

A good provider talks with your child.

YES	NO
____	____	Talks to your child often.
____	____	Listens to your child.
____	____	Talks to your child in a normal voice, never yelling.
____	____	Sings or hums to/with your child.

A good provider cares for your child.

YES	NO
____	____	Plays with your child.
____	____	Makes the child care setting a welcome place.
____	____	Holds your baby while feeding him.
____	____	Makes your child feel good about himself (smiles, praises, hugs).
____	____	Spends some time with just your child.

A good provider guides your child's behavior.

YES	NO
____	____	Plans things for your child that fit his age group and needs.
____	____	Gives children advance notice of changes to the daily routine.
____	____	Keeps your child busy if he must wait a long time.
____	____	Prepares a comfortable, simple place for playing.
____	____	Provides enough different kinds of toys so that each child has toys that are right for his age.
____	____	Provides space for your child to explore and create.
____	____	Responds to your child's moods.
____	____	Notices things that affect your child's behavior.
____	____	Encourages your child's efforts.
____	____	Helps your child develop his abilities.

A good provider works with you as a partner.

YES	NO
____	____	Keeps a daily record for infants and toddlers (what he ate, his bowel movements, etc.)
____	____	Gets you involved in your child's activities.
____	____	Makes her child care rules clear to you.
____	____	Lets you visit anytime without calling first.
____	____	Tells you what your child does everyday.
____	____	Respects your wishes about children's daily activities.

A Program To Help Your Child Grow

Play is important to a good child care program. Play is how children learn and is the "work" of children. Look for a place that uses play to help your child grow and learn.

A good child care program should:

YES	NO
____	____	Have a daily schedule.
____	____	Keep required state adult/child ratios if licensed.
____	____	Provide toys and playthings including: large climbing equipment blocks wheel toys balls dress up clothes puzzles, books, and connect toys music

A good child care program provides:

YES	NO
____	____	Quiet and active play.
____	____	Indoor and outdoor play.
____	____	Balance between provider-directed and free play.
____	____	Make-believe play.
____	____	Music and movement.

A good child care program has time to:

YES	NO
____	____	Play alone and time to play with others.
____	____	Run, climb and exercise large muscles.
____	____	Use art materials, puzzles and books.
____	____	Take trips to parks, libraries, firehouses, etc.
____	____	Take naps and/or play quietly.

Preparing a Safe and Healthy Environment

A safe child care setting is "child-proofed" to prevent injury:

 

YES	NO
____	____	Inside and outside are free from litter.
____	____	Needed repairs are made quickly.
____	____	Electrical outlets are covered.
____	____	These items are present: smoke detectors fire extinguishers first aid kit working telephone working flashlight
____	____	Fire exit plan is posted.
____	____	Cleaning supplies, medicines, etc., locked up and out of children's reach.
____	____	Cosmetics, cigarettes, etc., out of reach.
____	____	Guns are unloaded; guns and bullets are locked up.
____	____	Dangerous pets and plants are kept away from children.
____	____	Indoor and outdoor play toys are free or splinters.
____	____	Safety gates/fences are used.
____	____	Play space is not cluttered.
____	____	Necessary repairs are made quickly.
____	____	Emergency numbers are posted.

Good Health Practices

Does the provide do thing that help keep the children well? Scrubbing down and disinfecting surfaces, toys, and other things the children handle can keep colds and other diseases from being passed from child to child. If your provider does the following things, she is working hard on good health practices.

The Provider:

 

YES	NO
____	____	Washes her hands and teaches children to wash theirs before eating and after toileting.
____	____	Cleans play areas and toys.
____	____	Cleans diapering area with bleach mix (1 Tbsp. Bleach per quart of water).
____	____	Has clear rules about when children should attend if ill.
____	____	Has separate bedding for each child, and washes it frequently.
____	____	Takes children outdoors daily, weather permitting.

Nutritious Snacks and Meals

What your child eats will affect his growth and learning.

 

YES	NO
____	____	Healthy lunches and snacks are served: (fresh fruit, vegetables, peanut butter, cheese and crackers).
____	____	Limits "junk food" - candy, potato chips, sweetened drinks.
____	____	Fresh water is given to children often.
____	____	Provider does not use food to punish or reward the child. For example, she doesn't give the child a cookie for being "good" or take away a snack because the child has been "bad".

Positive Discipline Practices

Guiding behavior sometimes means your provider must discipline your child. A key goal of discipline is to teach the child what is expected of him and help him develop self control. Punishment, like a slap or a scolding, usually stops the bad behavior but leaves the child angry and upset. It teaches him not to do the bad behavior when the person who punished him is watching, but doesn't teach him to control himself.

Your child learns self control when the provider:

YES	NO
____	____	Has rules which are easy to understand and few in number.
____	____	Allows your child to make mistakes, but helps him learn not to make the same mistakes again.
____	____	Redirects him to acceptable behavior [Ex. "LeVar is playing with the truck. You can have it after naptime. Come help me get ready for lunch, please."]
____	____	Whenever possible, ignores bad behavior unless it causes hurt to himself or others.
____	____	Praises good behavior or "catches your child being good".
____	____	Helps your child see the effects of his behavior. [Ex. "When you hit Jenny, it hurts her, and she cries. People aren't for hitting. What else could you do?"]
____	____	Listens to your child talk about his feelings.

Your child's self esteem depends on a good relationship with a caring provider. She should RESPECT your child and treat him with DIGNITY. When the provider notices positive things, your child will feel successful and have greater self esteem.

School Age Program Requirements

School age children need a different kind of program than do younger children. If there are no special activities planned just for school agers, they will feel they are being treated like "babies," and hate going to day care. School age children need to feel that everyone understands that they are growing up, and have different interests and needs than preschoolers.

Does your provider:

YES	NO
____	____	Provide arts and crafts activities?
____	____	Provide space to do homework?
____	____	Provide space and materials to do projects?
____	____	Plan for frequent outings?
____	____	Offer a variety of activities to choose from, including team and individual sports?
____	____	Provide time to be alone?

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