Comparison Checklist


Compare Us Against the Rest
Communication
  • Do you receive regular written communication about your child? Daily for infants?
  • Do they have a website that provides current and helpful information?
  • Are parent/teacher conferences held to discuss each child\'s progress?
  • Are parents informed of activities through newsletters and calendars?
  • Is there an opportunitiy for you to meet with teachers and discuss your child\'s curriculum and lesson plan?
  • Are you able to visit and see the class in action?
  • Are communication procedures established for addressing discipline problems?
  • Are communication procedures established for addressing conflicts?
  • Are communication procedures established for addressing emergencies?
  • Are parents provided an information packet describing the center, faculty, curriculum, classroom, special events, and management?
  • Are there opportunities for informal and formal communication with the parents?
  • Are informational bulletin boards prominently displayed?
  • Is there a monthly newsletter? Are there special events to involve parents (seminars or family events)?
  • Are there opportunities for parents to meet together and be involved as a group?

Learning & Nurturing
  1. Are children read to throughout the day?
  2. Are the groups small enough to provide your child the attention they need?
  3. Are phonics and math basics emphasized through everyday experiences?
  4. Are play and caregiving routines viewed as opportunities for learning?
  5. Are there positive methods of discipline and realistic expectations for children based on their age?
  6. Are the children presented with a variety of engaging activities throughout the day?
  7. Do children have ample time to play and explore?
  8. Do the toys and materials offer interesting and challenging activities that are appropriate for your child\'s age?
  9. Is the program flexible enough to meet the needs of all children?
  10. Is there a variety of engaging activities for children to choose from?
  11. Is there a written, planned program you can see in action?
  12. Is the equipment in the classroom designed for learning?
  13. Is there enough equipment in the classroom for the number of children?
  14. Are children happily and busily engaged in interesting and diverse activities?
  15. Are field trips a part of the program?
  16. Are the children encouraged to explore?
  17. Are there individual and small group activities in the classroom?
  18. Are there individual and small group activities outdoors?
  19. Do the teachers help develop the child\'s vocabulary?
  20. Is the discipline approach clearly explained and understood by the children?
Faculty
  1. Does the staff have a professional appearance? <o:p />
  2. Do teachers present themselves as competent professionals?<o:p />
  3. Do the teachers look happy in their work they are doing?<o:p />
  4. Are the teachers responsive and caring?<o:p />
  5. Are the teachers responsive to your questions?<o:p />
  6. Are the directors responsive to your questions?<o:p />
  7. Is the environment of the school warm and inviting to children?<o:p />
  8. Is there a low faculty turnover rate (less than 20%)?<o:p />
  9. Are the caretakers and teachers offered a benefits package?<o:p />
  10. Is the director trained and experienced in child care management? <o:p />
  11. Does the teacher interact with children in loving and positive ways?<o:p />
  12. Are the state requirements for teacher-to-child ratios met or exceeded?<o:p />
  13. Does the center provide Continuing Education for its teachers and caregivers? <o:p />
  14. Are the teachers and caregivers actively involved in an system of goal setting and performance reviews?<o:p />
  15. Are the teachers experienced in early childhood education? <o:p />
  16. Are the teachers trained in early childhood education? <o:p />
  17. Does the center maintain a library of educational and community resources for its teachers and caregivers use (curriculum guides, activity books, and professional journals)?<o:p />
  18. Are teachers and caregivers specifically trained for the age they teach?
Programs
  1. Do parents have access to resources and information on topics related to child development and parenting?
  2. Is there a process that provides parent refferals for your center to new parents trying to choose a center?
  3. Is the curriculum adapted for children at different levels of development? Are the programs separated by age?
  4. Do the children at the center when you visit appear happy and engaged?
  5. Is the daily schedule organized with times for rest, individual play, and interactive games?
  6. Does the teacher provide individual and group attention?
  7. Is there consistency in the teacher or group of primary teachers for a child?
  8. Are activities varied to keep the child interested and busy?
  9. Does the program meet the atandards of quality set by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)?
  10. Does the program include routine tasks that help the children feel comfortable and confident?
  11. Is there a process for helping new children and parents understand the program and to become familiar with classroom and the rest of the center?
  12. Can parents visit the classroom at anything to view the program in progress?
Health
  1. Are the rooms clean and odor-free?
  2. Are the rooms well-heated or cooled?
  3. Are there an appropriate number of bathrooms and sinks?
  4. Is the kitchen clean and organized?
  5. Is the playground clean and well maintained?
  6. Are immunizations required?
  7. Are children who are sick and contagious required to stay at home?
  8. Are there facilities and processes for isolating a sick and contagious child?
  9. Are surfaces and toys disinfected daily?
  10. Do teachers wash hands after changing diapers, and using the restroom?
  11. Is the center professionally cleaned daily? Weekly?
  12. Is the center clean, organized, and well-kept?
  13. How often are infants held?
  14. Are infants held by caregiver during feedings?
  15. Is a snack provided daily?
  16. Are hot lunches served?
  17. Is the food nutritionally balanced?
  18. Are juices served?
  19. Are menus posted?
  20. Are the menus rotated for variety?
  21. Are sleeping, eating, and play schedules posted?
  22. Are infant schedules personalized for your child?
Safety & Security
  1. Are there evacuation plans posted in the center? <o:p />
  2. Are there scheduled fire and tornado drills? <o:p />
  3. Are staff-to-child ratios met in the classroom & on the playground?<o:p />
  4. Are the exits for each classroom clearly marked?<o:p />
  5. Are there fire extinguishers in the center? <o:p />
  6. Are there smoke detectors and/or fire alarms in the center? <o:p />
  7. Is there a fire sprinkler system in the center? <o:p />
  8. Are there seat belts on the bus and a telephone? <o:p />
  9. Is the center convenient to your home or business?<o:p />
  10. Is pickup and drop-off organized and safe for the children? <o:p />
  11. Is the center\'s State issued license current and posted where you can see it? <o:p />
  12. Is the playground area fenced?<o:p />
  13. Are the gates to the playground secured?<o:p />
  14. Is the equipment on the playground the right size right for the children? <o:p />
  15. Are the children supervised at all times?<o:p />
  16. Is the playground area monitored?<o:p />
  17. Are the teachers and caregivers trained in CPR and basic first aid?<o:p />
  18. Are the doors to the center secured with electronic keypads and locks?<o:p />
  19. Are there effective emergency systems and procedures in place to assure the children\'s safety?<o:p />
  20. Are there effective security systems and procedures in place to assure the children\'s safety?<o:p />
  21. Are emergency procedures and evacuation routes posted, and practiced regularly?<o:p />
  22. Are emergency procedures and evacuation routes practiced regularly?<o:p />
  23. Are indoor and outdoor environments safe and free from items that would be hazards to children?<o:p />
  24. Are you allowed to visit your child in the center during the day?<o:p />
  25. Are classrooms and environments designed so they are easily supervised by teachers?

Facility

  1. Do the bathroom have child-size sinks and fixtures?
  2. Are the indoor environments appropriately designed and sized for children of all developmental abilities?
  3. Does the indoor space encourage creativity?
  4. Is there a learning area where school-age children can do homework after school?
  5. Is the children\'s art displayed on the walls?
  6. Are you invited to tour the center?
Classroom
  1. Are the classrooms organized?
  2. Is the classroom divided into centers?
  3. Does the classroom environment encourage creativity?
  4. Is the classroom decorated with the children\'s artwork?
  5. Are you invited to tour the center?
Playground
  1. Are the outdoor environments appropriately designed and sized for children of all developmental abilities?
  2. Does the playground equipment inspire creative play?
  3. Do children get to play outside each day?
  4. Is the playground equipment clean and in good working order?



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