FindLaw | Find a Lawyer. Find Answers.
Are you a legal Professional?
My current location:
,
| Change location
Checklist: How to Find Good Childcare
Also available in PDF | MS Word
Choosing someone to care for your children while you work is one of the most important decisions you will make. The following checklist can help you determine whether a particular home or center meets your criteria, so that you can be more informed and more confident with your decision, and your child can be in the best possible hands.
| While (or immediately after) visiting each potential childcare facility, consider the following questions: | Yes | No |
| Do you have a positive first impression as you walk through the front door? | ____ | ____ |
| Is the home or center licensed? | ____ | ____ |
| Do(es) the caregiver(s) have appropriate education, experience, and training? | ____ | ____ |
| Does the home or center provide a handbook that covers important rules and policies? | ____ | ____ |
| Do you feel comfortable with the rules and policies? | ____ | ____ |
| Does the caregiver-to-child ratio meet state requirements and your expectations? | ____ | ____ |
| Does the home or center look and smell clean? | ____ | ____ |
| Do the caregivers wash their hands after changing diapers and helping children in the bathroom? | ____ | ____ |
| Do the children wash their hands after using the bathroom? | ____ | ____ |
| Do the caregivers wash their hands before handling food? | ____ | ____ |
| Do the children wash their hands before eating? | ____ | ____ |
| Is the home or center safe and child-proof? | ____ | ____ |
| Are small toys kept away from infants and toddlers? | ____ | ____ |
| Are outlets covered? | ____ | ____ |
| Are doors to stairways closed, or are stairways gated? | ____ | ____ |
| Is there the required number of operational smoke detectors? | ____ | ____ |
| Are fire extinguishers handy? | ____ | ____ |
| Are cupboards containing harmful substances securely latched? | ____ | ____ |
| Are emergency numbers posted by all telephones? | ____ | ____ |
| Are outdoor areas fenced and/or away from traffic areas? | ____ | ____ |
| Do the children appear happy? | ____ | ____ |
| Is the home or center too noisy or too quiet? | ____ | ____ |
| Does the caregiver smile at the children? | ____ | ____ |
| Does the caregiver talk so that the children can understand him or her? | ____ | ____ |
| Does the caregiver demonstrate a positive attitude? | ____ | ____ |
| Does it appear that the caregiver loves what he or she is doing? | ____ | ____ |
| Does the caregiver show affection toward the children? | ____ | ____ |
| Does the caregiver respond appropriately to crying children? | ____ | ____ |
| Does the caregiver answer the children's questions? | ____ | ____ |
| Does the caregiver appear patient? | ____ | ____ |
| Does the caregiver encourage the children to treat each other with respect? | ____ | ____ |
| Is the caregiver respectful to other parents? | ____ | ____ |
| Are other parents happy with the care their children receive at the home or center? | ____ | ____ |
| Does the caregiver follow a daily schedule? | ____ | ____ |
| Is outdoor play a part of each day, weather permitting? | ____ | ____ |
| Are plenty of toys and books available? | ____ | ____ |
| Does the caregiver read to the children? | ____ | ____ |
FAQs
- What if one person tricks the other into thinking there has been a valid marriage?
- What are the legal requirements for getting married?
- May married people open credit accounts that are not also in their spouses' names?
- Should I get credit in my own name, even though I am married?
- May wives and husbands sue each other?
Marriage Resources
Helpful tools and forms available for purchase.Sponsored Services
Need a Family Lawyer? Find one fast with LegalConnection.
A better way to find your attorney.
A better way to find your attorney.
More Sponsored Services
USLegalForms.com - Largest Selection of Legal Forms on The Internet:
Download more than 50,000 state-specific legal forms. Real estate documents, power of attorney forms, wills, employment contracts, divorce and separation agreements and much more.
Download more than 50,000 state-specific legal forms. Real estate documents, power of attorney forms, wills, employment contracts, divorce and separation agreements and much more.
Wills, Divorce, Incorporation & More - Legalzoom:
Fast and friendly legal document service from LegalZoom, the #1 online legal document service.
Fast and friendly legal document service from LegalZoom, the #1 online legal document service.