Childcare | Respite Care

Childcare Checklist

For the child care centers you decide to visit, make appointments to meet with the directors. While at the center, spend some time in the room where your child will be, and talk to the specific teachers who will be caring for your child. Spend enough hours at the center to see several different activities. As you visit, use the checklists below to help you evaluate the program. Plan to make a drop-in visit at another time as well, and take your child along with you on the second visit.

You may want to schedule your first appointment with the caregiver at a time when children are not present. This way, the provider can spend time with you to answer all your questions without taking her attention away from the children. After seeing the family child care home and talking with the provider, arrange to make a drop-in visit at a later time. Try to arrange your visit at a time of day when you will be able to observe the interactions between the caregiver and the children.

When you visit child care centers or family child care home, use the following checklist to help you evaluate the program:

Checklists

Your Feelings

• Do the children seem to be enjoying themselves?

• Would you want to come here if you were a child?

• Has the visit made you feel good?

Size of Group and Age of Children

• Is the group size within the limits that the state has set?

• Do you think your child will fit in comfortably with the other children?

• What is the center’s licensed capacity?

• What is the total number of children allowed in your child’s group? Are there enough caregivers present all the time?

• Does the family child care provider need a helper?

Caregivers

• Do you like the caregiver?

• Is the caregiver warm and caring with the children?

• Does the caregiver appear to relate comfortably and personally to the children in her care?

• Do you feel satisfied with the way that toilet training, diapering, and discipline are handled in this setting?

• Does the caregiver pay attention to and respond to the emotional and physical needs of each child?

• Are you satisfied with the way the caregiver responds to a hurt or unhappy child?

• Have the children and caregivers been with the center long enough to create a stable environment for your child?

• Do the caregivers attend training courses?

• Is the training and experience of the center director acceptable to you?

• Does the family child care provider belong to a family child care association?

Program Activities

• Does the daily schedule include active and quiet play, rest time, and outdoor play?

• Is there time for caregivers to give individual attention to each child?

• Do you feel comfortable with the amount of television shown and the way TV is used to enhance the program?

• Are there opportunities for the children to listen to music, draw and paint, and tell stories?

• Do the children have time to finish their projects?

• Are the children allowed the time and space for individual play?

• Are there sufficient and appropriate toys and equipment for a variety of play experiences? Are there small and large toys? Are there toys for pretend and group play?

• Does a child have a choice about participating in certain activities?

• Is the level of activity suitable for your child?

• Are field trips part of the program?

• Does the family child care provider take the children out when she runs errands?

• Is the transportation safe?

Meals

• What meals are served? Is the menu posted?

• Are you comfortable with the kind of food served at each meal? Is the menu balanced?

• Does the child have to eat everything on his or her plate?

• May children have seconds?

• Is mealtime pleasant?

• Is food held out as a reward or punishment?

• Is the kitchen clean? Are you comfortable with the food handling procedures? Is there proper supervision for children while meals are being prepared?

• Is the family childcare provider a member of a US Department of Agriculture Child Care Food Program in Georgia – which sets standards for the meals served?

Environment

• Are you comfortable with the cleanliness of the center or home?

• Are diapering and toilet procedures sanitary and safe?

• Are the indoor and outdoor play areas free of hazards?

• Is the setting sanitary, attractive, and well-lit?

• Have sufficient safety measures been taken in the center or the home? Are vents and fireplaces screened? Are unused electrical outlets capped? Are stairs adequately guarded for infants and toddlers? Is there a fire extinguisher, smoke detector, and a fire evacuation plan? Is the outdoor play area safe from traffic and other hazards?

• If the family child care provider has no yard, does the provider have an outside area nearby to take the children to play?

• Are toys in good repair and are they washed frequently?

Hygiene

• Is the diaper-changing area near running water and away from the food storage or preparation area?

• Do the caregivers wash their hands after diapering each child?

• What procedure is used to disinfect toys and equipment, including toilets and potty chairs?

• Are you comfortable with the health and hygiene policies used at the center or home?

• What is the program’s policy on the exclusion of sick children?

• How are parents notified about outbreaks of communicable diseases?

Fees, Contracts, and Rules

• Do you understand the child care provider’s rules and policies? Are you clear on issues like absences, fees, schedules, holidays, illnesses, late charges, and the number of days’ notice required for termination?

• Does the family child care provider have a caregiver replacement in case of her illness or vacation?

Did You Know?

• Parents have a right to enter all parts of a child care center when their child is in attendance.

• Children in child care are not to be spanked or subjected to an unusual punishment.

• Georgia’s Department of Human Resources’ Day Care Licensing Unit will investigate any report from a parent concerning licensing violation at a child care center or a family child care home. To file a complaint, call 404.657.5562.

• Quality Care for Children has a complaint policy also. If you are dissatisfied with a particular program, please call us to record your complaint or consult with us about what you should do.

This article was reprinted with permission from Quality Care for Children.  You can search online for child care in Metro Atlanta by visiting their web site at www.qualitycareforchildren.org.   To speak to a Quality Care for Children child care parent counselor in Metro Atlanta, call the Child Care Resource and Referral program at 404.479.4240. To speak with a child care parent counselor in Central Georgia, call 478.752.7800.



 

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