Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 10.0
Questions to Ask About Preschool Center-Based Day Care (3 -
6 yr)
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?
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