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The
following checklist will be helpful in selecting and evaluating a child
care setting. Unless the answer to most of the questions is YES,
you should continue searching.
Does the Person Who Will be Caring for Your
Child:
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Encourage parents to visit
at any time? |
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Appear to be warm and
friendly? |
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Have a sense of humor? |
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Seem to be someone with
whom you can develop a relaxed, sharing relationship? |
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Appear to be someone your
child will enjoy being around? |
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Seem to feel good about
herself/himself and the job? |
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Have child-rearing
attitudes and methods that are similar to your own? |
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Understand what children
can and want to do at different stages of growth? |
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Have the right materials
and equipment on hand to help them learn and grow mentally and
physically? |
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Patiently help children
solve their problems? |
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Provide activities that
encourage children to think things through? |
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Encourage good health
habits such as washing hands before eating and after toileting? |
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Talk to the children and
encourage them to express themselves through words? |
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Encourage children to
express themselves in creative ways? |
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Seem to have enough time
to look after each of the children in her/his care? |
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Help the children to know,
accept and feel good about themselves? |
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Have previous experience
or training in working with children? |
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Provide routine and rules
that the children can understand and follow? |
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Have an entrance physical
examination and yearly TB test? |
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Certified in first-aid and
CPR? |
Does the Child Care Facility Have
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An up-to-date license, if
required? |
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A clean and comfortable
look? |
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Enough space indoors and
out so all children can move freely and safely? |
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Enough furniture,
playthings and other equipment for all the children in care? |
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Equipment that is safe and
in good repair? |
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Equipment and materials
suitable for the ages of the children in care? |
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Safety caps on electrical
outlets? |
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A safe place to store
dangerous items such as medicines, cleaners, poisons, matches,
sharp instruments, etc.? |
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An alternate exit in case
of fire? |
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A safety plan to follow in
emergencies? |
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An outdoor play area that
is safe, fenced (or secure) and free of litter? |
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Groups of manageable size? |
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A scholarship program,
subsidies or sliding fee scale? |
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Enough heat, light and
ventilation? |
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Any pets? If so, are they
properly trained or penned, and have they had all their
appropriate shots? |
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Safe transportation for
field trip with seat belts and car seats used? |
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A nap or resting area,
depending on ages and needs or the children? |
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Cots for children through
age five? |
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Nutritious meals and
snacks that meet your preferences about the types of food you want
your child to eat? |
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Enough adults to give
attention to all of the children in care? |
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A first-aid kit? |
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A fire extinguisher? |
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Smoke Detectors? |
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Covered radiators and
heaters? |
Are There Opportunities:
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To play quietly and
actively indoors and out? |
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To play alone at times and
with friends at other times? |
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To follow a schedule that
meets young children's need for routine, but is flexible enough to
meet the different needs of each child? |
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To use materials and
equipment that help children learn new physical skills, develop
muscular control and get exercise? |
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To learn to get along, to
share and to respect themselves? |
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To learn about their own
and others cultures through art, music, books, songs, games and
other activities? |
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To visit nearby places of
interest, such as the park, library, fire house or museum? |
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To play with many
different toys and equipment that enable children to use their
imaginations? (For example: books, musical instruments) |
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To choose their own
activities for at least part of the day? |
The Following Questions are Unique to Infant
Care:
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Is there a diaper changing
area with a washable surface, and is it sanitized regularly? |
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Are hands washed before
and after feeding and diapering? |
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Are bottles, nipples and
toys kept clean? |
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Are food and formula
served at the right temperature? |
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Are unused formula and
food refrigerated and labeled or discarded when no longer fresh? |
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Are babies changed
promptly when diapers are wet or soiled? |
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Are babies cleaned
thoroughly during diaper changes? |
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Is a separate crib,
portrait or playpen provided for each infant? |
Does the Person Who Will be Caring for Your
Child:
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Treat your child as
capable and fun to be around? |
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Have a willingness to
adapt toys and activities to the needs of your child? |
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Seem to have extra effort
and patience to give to your child? |
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Have a willingness to work
with you and any other agencies or medical personnel involved in
the care of your child? |
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Have facilities to
accommodate your child? |
Be Prepared to Provide the following
information.
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What your child is like. |
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How your child
communicates his/her needs. |
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If your child needs help
moving around, with feeding, with toileting. |
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If your child is on a
special diet or medication. |
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How your child relates to
other children. |
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