McKesson Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 2002.1

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General Day-Care Questions:

• Is the day care center licensed?
• Is the licensing permit current?
• What are the tuition payments? When are they due?
• Is an initial registration fee required?
• Are there extra charges for such things as meals or transportation?
• Are fees reduced if more than one child enrolls?
• Are deductions offered for periods of absence?
• Is financial assistance available?
• Is the center convenient?
• When is it open?
• Is safe transportation provided?
• What are admission requirements?
• Do the children seem happy, busy, and relaxed?
• What is the caregiver to child ratio? Federal guidelines for centers suggest no more than 1:3 for infants; 1:4 for toddlers; 1:8 for children aged 3 to 6.

Facility:

Does the center have:

• carpeting, pads, and drapery to absorb extraneous noise?
• child-sized furniture?
• a cheerful, colorful atmosphere?
• ample toys and art materials?
• happy, "constructive" sounds?
• plenty of indoor and outdoor space?
• special areas for quiet and active play?
• safe, creative outdoor play equipment?
• a place to display children's work?

Caregiver:

Does the staff:

• welcome my questions and suggestions?
• hold regular parent/teacher conferences?
• share my childrearing philosophy?
• take time to share my child's experiences with me?
• seem to enjoy children?
• remain gentle, yet firm? consistent, yet flexible?
• have low turnover?
• sensitively handle feelings of fear, shyness, upset, and anger?
• respect each child's unique background and interests?
• guide rather than direct behavior?
• really listen and talk to the children?
• seem cheerful, affectionate, and warm?
• have training and experience in early child education?
• participate in continuing education programs?
• kneel or sit at child's eye level?
• spend individual time with each child?
• actively play with children, indoors and out?
• emphasize children's strengths and accomplishments?
• cultivate children's natural curiosity?
• handle discipline positively?
• establish and consistently maintain limits?
• have a sense of humor and acceptance?
• seem to be able to give all children quality attention and supervision?

Program:

Does the program help children develop physically by:

• providing daily outdoor activities where children use their whole bodies?
• offering indoor movement experience set to music?
• furnishing sturdy climbing and swinging apparatus?
• balancing active, physical activities with quiet, restful ones?
• providing ample rest and nap times?
• prohibiting play that could quickly get out of hand?
• maintaining an adequate staff/child ratio on the playground?

Does the program help children develop emotionally by:

• encouraging children to express themselves?
• patiently encouraging children to solve problems on their own?
• providing ample opportunities for children to feel good about themselves?
• helping children deal with feelings constructively?
• providing security through a well-defined, predictable schedule of daily activities?
• showing children how to help themselves as much as possible?

Does the program help children develop interpersonally by:

• providing give-and-take opportunities to share toys and equipment?
• balancing individual, small group, and large group activities?
• allowing children to pursue some activities without being disturbed by other youngsters?
• discouraging competitiveness by limiting the number of children participating in a particular activity, providing plenty of toys and materials, and overseeing sharing and turn-taking?

Does the program help children develop creatively and intellectually by:

• encouraging children to use art and play materials in their own way?
• providing plenty of time for children to complete their projects?
• fostering curiosity through opportunities to see new things and try out new ideas?
• nurturing self-expression through art, music, drama, and literature?
• providing plenty of "hands on" learning experiences?
• encouraging self-direction and self-pacing?
• furnishing an environment rich with science materials, books, building equipment, musical instruments, toy and art materials, props for dramatic play, natural materials like sand, water, and clay?
• balancing structured and unstructured activities?
• developing a sense of satisfaction over completing a task or thinking something through?
• designing graduated goals for each child?
• planning field trips or inviting special visitors?
• asking children themselves for ideas about programming?
• encouraging language development?

Health and Safety:

• What is the procedure for medical emergencies?
• What are the policies regarding illness? (e.g., Are parents contacted if another child has a contagious disease? Does caregiver have someone to substitute in case she gets sick?)
• Is a physician on call?
• Are medical records maintained?
• Is the staff trained in first aid?
• Does the center have smoke detectors and fire extinguishers? Regular fire drills? Alternate exits?
• Are important phone numbers posted near the phone? (Examples include police, fire, poison control center, hospital, children's physician, ambulance.)
• Does the staff always know how to get in touch with both parents?
• Does your child receive constant supervision, indoors and out?
• Can all doors inside the center be opened from the outside at all times?
• Are the outside doors and windows locked?
• Do strong screens or metal bars cover the windows? (especially important above ground level)
• Do all glass doors have decals?
• Are the rooms well ventilated and comfortable year-round?
• Are the bathroom facilities clean and easily accessible to children?
• Are stairways and walkways free from clutter?
• Are floors free from spills, slippery surfaces, or small throw rugs?
• Are small, sharp, or otherwise dangerous items out of reach or locked in a cupboard, drawer, or cabinet? (Examples include pins, thumbtacks, paper clips, matches, lighters, knives, plastic bags, scissors, guns, razor blades, glassware, working appliances.)
• Are poisonous items stored out of reach or locked in cupboards, drawers, or cabinets? (Examples include cleaning products, polish, bleach, medicines, cosmetics, perfumes, aerosol cans, first aid supplies.)
• Are the center and outdoor play area free from poisonous plants?
• Are hot radiators covered?
• Is your child kept away from dangerous places like the stove?
• Do all electrical sockets have protective covers?
• Has attention been paid to objects that could be pulled or knocked over? (Examples include tablecloths, electrical cords, lamps, furniture.)
• Are toys safe, clean, and in good repair?
• Are play surfaces, indoors and out, softened with carpeting or wood chips?
• Do children get a daily dose of fresh air and sunshine, weather permitting?
• Do children seem safe with one another?
• Is the outdoor area fenced and free of hazards?
• Is the play equipment safe and appropriate for your child's level of development?

Meals:

• Are snacks and meals tasty, attractive, and well balanced?
• Are menus varied and posted for my review?
• Are special diets and ethnic preferences given consideration?
• Is food served in a pleasant, relaxed atmosphere?
• Does the center serve food I want my child to eat?
• Are healthy snacks served mid-morning and mid-afternoon?
• Are children allowed to leave food on their plates? (They should never be forced to eat.)
• Are portions small and second helpings available?
• Who plans the menus (dietician or other staff)?
• Is the kitchen clean?