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Find Comfort in Choosing Your Child Care Program
Child Care Checklist
Child Care Checklist

When visiting a child care facility, ask the following questions:

+ Is the facility licensed or registered with the state government? If so, ask to see a copy of the latest inspection reports.
+ Can you visit the facility during operating hours before registering your child?
+ Once your child is registered, will you be able to visit at any time?
+ Is there a written daily schedule that includes all activities?
+ Is there indoor and outdoor play and are children always supervised?
+ Is each child assigned to one caregiver who is primarily responsible for him?
+ Is there a written discipline policy?
+ Is smoking banned from the facility?
+ Are there written policies for the care of sick children?
+ Will the caregivers give prescribed medicine to your child?
+ Does a pediatrician or nurse serve as a consultant to the child care program?
+ Do staff members have training in child development?
+ Have child care workers received up-to-date first aid and CPR training?
+ How long have the supervisors and caregivers been employed there?
+ Can you get recommendations from parents who use the program and from parents whose children have “graduated” from the facility or moved to another center?

Look for the following at a child-care facility:

+ A diaper changing area with sink well within the caregiver’s reach.
+ Cubbies, lockers or other places to store children’s personal belongings.
+ Caregivers wash their hands after wiping a child’s nose, changing a diaper or helping a child in the bathroom.
+ Infants are fed sitting up, with an adult always present during meals and snacks.
+ Plenty of age-appropriate toys for all the children.
+ An outdoor play area free of sharp edges, pinch points, sharp rocks and ditches.
+ Impact-absorbing material, such as wood chips, rubber mats or loosely packed sand in all areas where children are likely to fall.
+ Adults supervise outdoor play.

Source: The American Academy of Pediatrics brochure, “Child Care: What’s Best for Your Family?”

		Child Care Providers Guide Find Comfort in Choosing Your Child Care Program Child Care Checklist Child Care Checklist When visiting a child care facility, ask the following questions: + Is the facility licensed or registered with the state government? If so, ask to see a copy of the latest inspection reports. + Can you visit the facility during operating hours before registering your child? + Once your child is registered, will you be able to visit at any time? + Is there a written daily schedule that includes all activities? + Is there indoor and outdoor play and are children always supervised? + Is each child assigned to one caregiver who is primarily responsible for him? + Is there a written discipline policy? + Is smoking banned from the facility? + Are there written policies for the care of sick children? + Will the caregivers give prescribed medicine to your child? + Does a pediatrician or nurse serve as a consultant to the child care program? + Do staff members have training in child development? + Have child care workers received up-to-date first aid and CPR training? + How long have the supervisors and caregivers been employed there? + Can you get recommendations from parents who use the program and from parents whose children have “graduated” from the facility or moved to another center? Look for the following at a child-care facility: + A diaper changing area with sink well within the caregiver’s reach. + Cubbies, lockers or other places to store children’s personal belongings. + Caregivers wash their hands after wiping a child’s nose, changing a diaper or helping a child in the bathroom. + Infants are fed sitting up, with an adult always present during meals and snacks. + Plenty of age-appropriate toys for all the children. + An outdoor play area free of sharp edges, pinch points, sharp rocks and ditches. + Impact-absorbing material, such as wood chips, rubber mats or loosely packed sand in all areas where children are likely to fall. + Adults supervise outdoor play. Source: The American Academy of Pediatrics brochure, “Child Care: What’s Best for Your Family?”