| You may use this form to narrow down your choices. Although you will find many answers through Dallas Area Education Guide, please begin to fill in this form will the help of a phone call or a visit to the facility's website but make sure to confirm all information during your in-person tour of the center itself.
The Basics
Director's Name _____________________
Normal Hours _______________________
Extended Hours _____________________
Days Closed ________________________
Fees for care Full-time __________ Part-time __________
Other fees (Registration, Deposit, etc.) ______________________________
Payment Policies (including when your child is out sick or on vacation, and late fees)
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Meals & Snacks Provided ______
Diapers & Wipes Provided ______
Can parents drop in any time? ______
(The answer to this question should be an enthusiastic "Yes." If not, seriously question why this isn't
an option.)
Sick Policy (including when your child is sick and you cannot be reached)
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Teachers & Staff
What is the retention rate of your staff? _______________
Do you perform criminal background checks?______
What are your requirements for teachers/caregivers, assistants and support staff.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Do teachers/staff receive training? ______
If so, what kind?
_____________________________________________________________________________
What are your emergency procedures ?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Class Size & Ratios
On average, how many children are in the center?
_____________________________________________________________________________
What are the age groupings?
_____________________________________________________________________________
How many children are in my child's group and what is the caregiver/child ratio?
_____________________________________________________________________________
How will it be determined that my child is ready to go to another based on age, or developmental
stage?
_____________________________________________________________________________
Center Philosophy and Teaching Curriculum
What is the center's educational philosophy?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Does the center use one particular curriculum? ______
If so, please explain______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Please describe a typical day in my child's age group.
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
How is discipline handled?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Please provide three parent references and their phone numbers.
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Observation/Tour Checklist
Staff/Children
Teachers/caregivers:
Speak kindly and firmly. (No yelling or demeaning tone.) Yes No
Sit with children in various activities. Yes No
Appear affectionate. Yes No
Respond to children's needs quickly. Yes No
Appear to enjoy children. Yes No
Always wash hands before food preparation and after diapering. Yes No
Children:
Children seem happy and relaxed. Yes No
Interact well with their caregivers. Yes No
Activities are age appropriate. Yes No
Facility : Interior
Looks and smells clean. Yes No
Toys, materials and furnishings are in good condition. Yes No
Toys are washed after they have been in a child's mouth. Yes No
Used toys are washed daily. Yes No
Electrical outlets are covered Yes No
Hazardous materials are in locked storage areas. Yes No
Kitchen is physically off limits. Yes No
Staff can see entire room from any vantage point. Yes No
Children cannot leave a room undetected. Yes No
Entrances are secure Yes No
Spaces for children's personal items. Yes No
Facility : Outside Play Area
Generally appears safe. Yes No
Impact absorbing material around play structures. Yes No
Play structures are well-maintained. Yes No
Area is fenced in. Yes No
Sandbox is covered when not in use. Yes No
Adequate staff on hand at all times. Yes No
Toys and equipment are in good condition and age appropriate. Yes No
Enough room for all the children who would normally use the area together. Yes No
Other Observations & Gut Feelings:
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
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