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To make a confident decision, you need to understand the right questions to ask prospect centers. Our Parent Checklist is here to help. It is specifically designed to address the educational strengths of a service versus basic safety and security procedures. We believe this list will help you distinguish the very best childcare providers. To view our safety and security procedures please click here: Safety and Security Procedures

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General
Questions to ask:
What formal education and experience does the administration have teaching children?
Is the process for drop off and pick up designed to ensure your child’s safety?
Are the hours of operation open and accommodating to your schedule?
Is the program based on age-appropriate learning objectives? (Including Language & Communication, Cognitive Development, Creativity & Arts, Physical Development and Personal & Social Development).
Do the children have daily outdoor play with access to age appropriate playground equipment?
Are developmental progress reports provided on a regular basis, if so how often?
Are critical pre-writing and pre-reading skills practiced every day?
Is there a Parent Information Board that displays the menu, newsletters and important announcements?
Things to look for:
Are teachers interacting with the children in a way that maximizes learning? Teachers should be asking open-ended questions and helping the children get excited about what they are learning.
Is there a family connection component of the curriculum? How do you learn about these activities?
Is the program based on age-appropriate development objectives? (Including Basic Motor Skills, Senses Development, Self-help Skills, Listening-responding and Game Play).
Is a lesson plan posted which includes all subject areas and is the teacher following it?
Are there daily and/or weekly progress reports sent to parents? Ask to see examples.
Is the programs administration approachable? Environment Parent friendly?
Is there an abundance of age-appropriate children's literature?
Is the program based on age-appropriate learning objectives? (Including Language & Communication, Cognitive Development, Creativity & Arts, Physical Development and Personal & Social Development).
Are the Director and teachers open to questions?
Do the children work creatively on open-ended art projects and Learning Center activities to nurture their social skills and creativity?
Does the program’s administration have extensive knowledge in the field of child development and experience in the classroom?
Is there a schedule to ensure your child is with the same teacher for the majority of the day, every day?
Is reading encouraged through a literature circle and shared reading time?
What curriculum does the program use and why was it selected?
Does the school offer a healthy food program for breakfast, lunch and snack? What is the cost?
Does the school provide competitive pricing compared to other schools in your area?
Did you find the staff to be friendly when you visited?
Are children happily engaged in activities?
Is the school accredited by any leading childcare standards organization such as APPLE or NAEYC?