Checklist for Child Care Centers – School Age
Your visit to several child care programs is a crucial part of your selection process. What you observe during your visit will tell you many things about a program.
- Take along checklist and questions to ask during your visit to the program.
- Take notes on your observations and on answers given to your questions by the providers, teachers and/or directors. These notes will be helpful in determining further questions, and to differentiate between the programs you have observed.
- Allow plenty of time to tour the entire facility, both indoor and outdoor spaces.
- Schedule an initial visit by yourself, and then bring your child with you during your second visit if possible.
- Make sure to observe the group that your child would attend.
- Feel free to follow up your visit with further calls to the director or provider. Be sure that all your questions and concerns are addressed so that you can feel confident about the care your child will receive.
- Ask to meet all of the staff who will care for your child during the day.
Name of Center:
Classroom Visited:
Contact Person:
Date Visited:
| Question | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
| Are the children happily engaged in activities? | Yes | No |
| Would your child be comfortable here? | Yes | No |
| Are the teachers patient and good-natured with the children? | Yes | No |
| Do the children participate in outdoor games and activities? | Yes | No |
| Do the teachers seem experienced and knowledgeable with school-age issues? | Yes | No |
| Question | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
| Do the teachers show respect for the children? Is discipline handled in a calm, consistent way to encourage positive behavior? | Yes | No |
| Are choices offered of varied, stimulating activities? | Yes | No |
| Is there appropriate space for children to do their homework? | Yes | No |
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