Site Visit Checklist

Below is a list of things to look for when visiting potential child care providers.

Provider/Child Interactions:

• provider is warm and friendly with the children
• provider and children are happy and actively involved in a variety of age appropriate activities
• provider speaks to individual children frequently and at their level
• provider handles discipline in a calm manner with an emphasis on helping children resolve conflicts
• provider interacts with children through conversation and play, rather than just supervising
• provider allows children to make choices throughout the day
• provider encourages independence
• provider has clear, consistent rules and gives reasons for them
• provider helps children use words to solve problems
• provider teaches children to respect differences in others

Indoor/Outdoor Spaces:

• ample indoor and outdoor space is clean and suitable for children including those with special needs
• safety is addressed through working smoke alarms, posted exit signs, covered electrical outlets, etc
• if the program is licensed, ask to see the most current licensing inspection report
• adequate lighting is present and child sized furniture is available
• age-appropriate toys are visible, easily accessible and stored in an organized manner
• children’s projects are displayed at children’s eye level
• activities are encouraged that focus on all areas of development
  • fine motor skills (i.e. stringing beads to develop hand muscles)
  • gross motor skills (i.e. dancing, skipping and jumping)
  • social/emotional skills (i.e. reading books that discuss feelings)
  • cognitive skills (i.e. putting together puzzles)
• noise level is comfortable for children
• diapering/toileting areas are sanitary; toys and play areas are sanitized daily
• posted schedules are flexible and designed to meet the needs of individual children
• enough providers are present for the group’s size and age
  

Materials and Supplies:

• there are a variety of materials for the number of children in the program
• age-appropriate toys are reflective of many cultures, ethnicities, genders
• materials encourage children to learn new skills and are in good repair
• books and other reading readiness materials are available and used daily

Program Policies:

• policies exist and are shared with parents regarding fees, payment, vacation time, sick children, etc.
• program provides references of current/past parents
• program follows an educational curriculum
• care is consistent, with little turnover in staff

Parents’ Needs:

• parents are well informed about their child’s day through daily conversations or notes
• parents’ input is valued and there are opportunities for meaningful involvement in the program
• parents are allowed access to the program at all times and encouraged to visit
• parents are greeted in a warm and friendly way

While visiting the program, talk to other parents that you see and ask them about their experiences with the program. A next step can be to check the references of current/past parents who used the program. Some questions to ask include:

• What did you like best/least about the child care provider?
• Did the provider offer activities geared towards the child’s age?
• Did the provider make you and your child feel comfortable in the program? How?
• Did the provider keep you well informed about your child’s development? How?
• Was the provider dependable and reliable?
• If you could change anything about the program what would it be?
  

For more information on what to look for when visiting child care providers, please call 2-1-1 Child Care at 2-1-1 or 1-800-505-1000.