A helpful checklist while you are shopping around:

WHAT MY CHILD WILL INTERNALIZE

• Does your daycare have a curriculum that focuses on your child’s individual educational needs, the arts (yoga, theater, music and foreign language) and physical fitness with certified Music Together Staff?
• Does your daycare have a professional social worker with a strong educational background  that can monitor your child’s developmental milestones?
• Does your daycare spend energy and creativity creating their own unique program?
• Does your daycare use daily routines, play and social interactions as opportunities for learning?
• Does your daycare provide professional staff training in child development?
• Does your daycare have an age appropriate curriculum, toys and materials for children?
• Does your daycare offer a program that encourages creativity and independence?
• Does your daycare take your child out doors safely on a regular basis?

WHO MY CHILD WILL DEVELOP A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH

• Does your daycare have qualified, empathetic, background checked staff?
• Does your daycare provide 2:1 infant ratios and 6:1 toddler ratios?
• Does your daycare have a low employee turnover?
• Does your daycare train their employees in CPR, Health and Safety and is affiliated with the an American Heart Association trainer?

MY CHILD’S DAILY HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT

• Does your daycare provide a safe designated foyer/lobby for drop off and pick up?
• Does your daycare provide care in sunlit rooms?
• Does your daycare have room separations to ensure that your child receives piece and quiet during rest times?
• Does your daycare have carpeting or linoleum, which can be harmful to a child’s health?
• Does your daycare use harmful chemicals to clean?
• Does your daycare have a sound illness policy?
• Does your daycare have a solid evacuation and emergency shelter plan?
• Does your daycare have security cameras?
• Does your daycare facility have fire extinguishers, carbon monoxide and smoke detectors?
• Does your daycare have GFI outlets?
• Does your daycare have a fenced in backyard with playground surfacing and appropriate fall height ratios?
• Does your daycare require photos on file for all adults picking up children?
• Is your daycare licensed and insured?
• Does your daycare familiarize you with DOH regulations and encourage you to shop around?
• Does your daycare sanitize toys daily?
• Does your daycare provide reverse osmosis water for drinking which filters all impurities?
• Does your daycare have a crib for each child?

YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH US

• Does your daycare provide regular communication with you about your child?
• Does your daycare have an open door policy and encourage parent involvement?
• Does your daycare provider take constructive criticism from parents?
• Does your daycare have eight years of continued service?
• Does your daycare run parent workshops for free developed by a licensed certified social worker and psychotherapist?
• Does your daycare have special events that involve the family?
• Does your daycare offer emergency sitter and nanny services?
• Does your daycare prepare and wash bottles for you or do they make you do this nightly after a long days work and make you bring it in daily?

If your provider or the provider you are considering does not meet all of the above criteria then call us.

Phone: 718-956-5390