Childcare Check List


Health & Safety...



Is the childcare home licensed or regulated? (Indiana Law requires all
licensed childcare to display their license.)

Do you agree with the childcare discipline policy?

What is their emergency evacuation plan? Where will your child be in case
of an emergency and will there always be a caregiver/staff member on
each level of the home when children are present?

Are children supervised and what is the adult/child ratio? (Indiana Law
requires a child caregiver to apply for a license when caring for more than
5 children)

Is there a fenced-in outdoor play area with a variety of safe equipment&
can caregiver/staff see and hear all children?

Where will your child/infant sleep (nap) & will the children be checked on
regularly?

Has the caregiver/staff been convicted of any crimes? What do you know
about other house hold members or drop in visitors that may have contact
with your child? (Indiana Law requires all licensed homes to have a
criminal history & background check on primary caregiver, staff, helpers,
and ALL house hold members 18 yrs & older).

Do you know if the caregiver/staff and house hold members are free of
illegal drugs, and in good health to care for your child? (Indiana Law
requires a licensed caregiver to have a physical, TB test, and drug
screening. This law includes ALL staff and ALL household members 18yrs
and older.)

Will your child be safe from infectious disease in this childcare? (Indiana
law requires all licensed childcare to have health status forms & age
appropriate immunizations signed by a physician on each child in the files
of the childcare home)

Is the childcare free from tobacco, alcohol, illegal drugs, and toxic
substances? (Indiana law prohibits the use of these in the childcare area
when childcare is being operated)

Is the childcare area kept clean, & are toys sanitized regularly?

Is there a list of references to call after your first interview, & do the
references consist of present and past families?


Education & Training...



  • Is the caregiver/staff trained in CPR, First Aid, and Universal Precautions?
    (Indiana law requires all childcare providers to have annual CPR, current
    First Aid, & training in Universal Precautions.)

  • Is the caregiver/staff continuing with their education to fit the age group
    and needs of the children in care, & what is their current education and
    experience with children?

  • Is the childcare participating in the CACFP (Child Adult Care Food
    Program)? If the answer is “no”… Does the caregiver/staff have training in
    sanitation, food handling, meal preparation, and nutrition?

  • Has caregiver/staff had any training on SIDS or child/infant safe sleep
    environments? (Indiana Law (effective 2006) will provide a mandatory
    training for SIDS and safe sleep environments for all licensed childcare
    providers & any provider receiving CCDF.)


Play Time & Activities...


Are there enough toys/activities for all ages of children?

What is the curriculum being used, & is there a variety of
 “Hands-on Learning” materials?

Are there materials for arts & crafts, and books for all ages?

Will your child be read to each day?

Does the caregiver/staff seem to like children?

Will the childcare welcome you for surprise drop in visits?

How will the caregiver communicate with you? Will there be a regular news
letter or set time to talk about your child’s progress and needs?

Will your child be able to express himself/herself in this home childcare?

Will your child learn family values that are like your own home and will
your child be nurtured in a positive environment?



~For information or to understand the regulations on childcare visit  the state
childcare web site…
  
      www.childcarefinder.in.gov

        or call 1-888-463-5473


~This Family Childcare Check List was created by the ECDCA (Elkhart County
Day Care Association) to provide families with a guideline when searching for
Family Childcare.


~ For More information

Please Contact:
ECDCA             
29879 CR 18
Elkhart, IN. 46517

Email: board@elkhartfamilychildcare.com  Ph.574-293-7865

Ph.574-295-2492
ECDCA       (Elkhart County Day Care Association)              www.elkhartfamilychildcare.com
"Working Hand In Hand With Licensed Family Childcare Providers"