Is the child care program or family child care home licensed with the Illinois DCFS or license-exempt?

Is the program's license current and posted? Is the program accredited?

What is the program's policy for vacations, holidays and illnesses? Are there any extra program costs?

What is the program's philosophy and goals?

Are the values of the program compatible with your values?

How are families involved in the program?

Is the daily schedule flexible and dictated more by the children's needs than by adult's?

Does the daily schedule provide for active and quiet times, and indoor and outdoor play?

Are children engaged in constructive play that promotes exploration and the ability to select what they want from a sufficient number of choices?

Are transitions from one activity to another generally smooth and planned?

Is there time to play alone and to work as a group?

Is TV viewing and computer usage limited to short times and child appropriate programs?

How many different child care providers will be with your child during the course of the day?

What is the educational background of the staff?

How frequent is staff turnover? Can you expect the same person to care for your child for the year?

Is independence encouraged through the use of self-help skills and decision making opportunities?

Are there a variety of activities, equipment and materials available to help children learn and grow socially, mentally and physically? Suchas:

• art materials (markers, crayons, paper, scissors)
• blocks
• balls
• music equipment
• puzzles
• sand & water play materials
• infant toys
• dress up clothes
• books
• climbing equipment
• cooking materials
• manipulatives (Legos, Bristle Blocks, pegs)
• dolls
• puppets

Does the environment contain soft elements (pillows, bean bag chairs, stuffed animals, puppets)?

Can children reach materials and supplies without asking for adult assistance?

Is the room cheerful and decorated at the child's eye-level with pictures of children's artwork and familiar objects?

Can toys be carried and moved about in the environment as children choose?

Do the pictures on the walls, the toys on the shelves and books represent a variety of ages, races, gender and ethnicity in a positive manner?

Are sturdy books provided representing a variety of topics?

Does the child care provider frequently read to children individually and in small groups?

Are boys and girls offered the same opportunities to use materials or take part in activities?

Is staffing adequate to allow the child care provider the opportunity to have frequent conversations with families and children?

Does the child care provider prepare the environment for the children in advance to allow for predictability and repetition?

Does the child care provider encourage children to care about and respect each other and the materials in the child care environment?

Does the child care provider treat each child as an individual?

Does the child care provider talk and listen to children at their eye level?

Does the child care provider play with the children and model how to play?

Does the child care provider label or name objects, describe events and reflect feelings to help children learn new words?

Does the child care provider set limits in a way that does not punish or shame children?

Are the limits for children and families clear, consistent, appropriate and do you agree with the limits set by the child care provider?

Are children praised for their efforts and accomplishments and helped to feel increasingly competent?

Do children have opportunities to reason and to respond to "what", "how" and "what if" questions?

Are children encouraged to resolve conflicts between themselves in an acceptable manner and/or with the support of the child care provider?

Does the child care provider offer verbal or written feedback to the families on a daily basis?