Things to Watch

Research

Check List

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Things to Watch When Looking for Quality Childcare

Director Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a child-related field
• Three years of experience
• Understands what children need to grow and learn

Lead Teacher Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a child-related field
• Two years of experience
• Gives children lessons and toys that are appropriate for their ages

Staff/Child Ratio and Group Size

• State of Texas Required Ratio: 1/8
• Kiddie Kollege Ratio: 1/5

Supervision

• Constant supervision during active and sleep times
• Discipline is positive, clear, consistent and fair

Immunizations

• Every child has current records on file

Hand Washing and Diapering

• Caregivers and children wash their hands often, especially before eating and after using the bathroom or changing diapers
• Diaper station is clean
• Caregivers always keep one hand on the child while diapering
• Caregivers remove the soiled diaper without dirtying any areas
• Caregivers clean and sanitize the surface after completing the changing process

Toxic Substances

• Toxic substances (cleaning supplies and pest killers) are kept away from children
• Building is free of dangerous substances like radon, lead and asbestos
• Posted poison control information

Emergency Plan

• Emergency plan in case of a child getting injured, sick or lost
• Includes first aid kits
• Includes emergency contact list

Fire Drills

• Plan for disasters like a fire, tornado, flood, blizzard or earthquake
• Practice drills once every month

Child Abuse

• A child is never alone with one caregiver
• Caregivers have gone through a background check
• Caregivers are trained on how to prevent child abuse
• Caregivers are trained on how to recognize signs of child abuse
• Caregivers are trained on how to report suspected child abuse

Medications

• Medications are out of children's reach
• Caregivers are trained and the medications are labeled to make sure the right child gets the right amount of the right medication at the right time

Staff Training / First Aid

• Caregivers are trained on how to keep children healthy and safe from injury and illness
• Caregivers know how to do first aid and CPR (rescue breathing)
• Caregivers are trained to meet the needs of children of different ages
• Caregivers are trained on infant back sleeping and safe sleep policies to reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, crib death)

Also remember providers are re-certified every year.

Preston Kiddie Kollege, preschool and daycare
4438 Legendary Drive, Frisco TX 75034
© 2005 Preston Kiddie Kollge