Achieved Quality Criteria's

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The Care About Childcare Quality Criteria Program is a voluntary program in which providers can choose to participate. It is available only to Licensed Centers and Licensed Family/Home providers that have been licensed for six months or longer and that are in good standing with Utah's Child Care Licensing program. One of the main goals of the program is to assist families in finding childcare programs that fit their child's individual needs. There are many right ways for a childcare program to provide quality childcare. The Care About Childcare Quality Indicators Program is designed so child care programs can highlight their strengths and what makes their program unique.



Health and Safety

 - Diapering is done on a smooth, clean surface that can

   be sanitized and is kept out of children's reach.

 - Program provides at least one serving of fresh fruit

   and/or vegetables daily.

 - Outdoor activity time is scheduled daily for at least 60

   minutes.

 - Program supports breastfeeding.

 - Drinking water is available both indoors and outdoors

   throughout each day.

 - Covered and hands-free trash receptacle is used to

   dispose of diapers.

 - Caregiver keeps one hand on the child when turning

   away from the diapering table.

 - Indoor Safety Checklist done daily.

 - Outdoor Safety Checklist done daily.

 - Caregiver keeps a log of accidents and incidents that

   happen at the program or at home to promote safety.

 - The children and caregivers wash their hands upon

   arrival and when re-entering the program.

 - Soap and paper towels in program are at child height.

 - Children do not watch television or videos or play non-

   educational computer games.

 - Diapering is done close to a bathroom sink.

 - Disposable gloves are worn while diapering.

 - Program participates in the U.S. Department of

   Agriculture Child Care Food Program.

 

Outdoor Environment

 - At least 1/3 of each play area is covered in natural

   materials.

 - A grassy area is available.

 - There is a hill or berm that is accessible to children.

 - There are trees, shrubs and/or plants or a nature

   discovery area.

 - There is a hard smooth path or surface and wheeled

   toys available on a daily basis.

 - There is an outdoor music and art area.

 

Indoor Environment

 - Program offers 3 or more activity/learning centers that

   are accessible simultaneously for 2 or more hours.

 - Tables and floor space allow children to use materials

   and equipment without being crowded.

 - Space allows mixed age groups to play together safely.

 - There is a personalized storage space for each child's

   belongings.

 - Furniture promotes self-help skills.

 - There are some tables and chairs that are child-sized.

 - The floor in the eating and messy play/art area is easily

   washable.

 - Program has a cozy area available for children's use.

 - There are windows that allow natural light to enter each

   room that is used for play.

 - Infant sleep areas are easily supervised.

 - Program has a block activity/learning center that is

   accessible for children's use.

 - Program has a language and literacy activity/learning

   center that is accessible for children's use.

 

Family Involvement

 - Program provides opportunities for families to share

   knowledge about their children.

 - Program provides opportunities for families to share

   their family culture/traditions.

 - Program conducts an enrollment orientation meeting for

   new families.

 - Families are invited to spend time with their child at the

   program prior to enrollment.

 - Family conferences are held at least twice a year.

 - Families are provided with information on community-

   based trainings and offered resources about children,

   parenting or other family issues.

 - Families are involved in the planning of activities and/or

   menu options.

 - Families have the opportunity to assist in the program.

 - Families are given written information about their child.

 - Program has a plan to support English language

   learners to share their home language with the child

   care program.

 - Photographs of the children together with their families

   are available for children to see.

 

The Program

 - The program schedules time to interact with children in

   small groups or individually.

 - Caregivers post program rules in a child friendly

   manner.

 - Program has a predictable but flexible daily schedule

   that encourages purposeful play and shows that the

   majority of the day is child-directed.

 - Programs have materials that reflect the lives of their

   children and families, as well as the diversity found in

   society.

 - Strategies are used to support children's social and

   emotional development.

 - Program supports those children who need a rest time

   as well as those children who do not.

 - Transition activities are used to facilitate smooth

   changes between activities.

 - The program has 10 books and/or professional articles

   on child development and early care and education that

   address all of the age groups served.

 - Schedule shows a balance of active and quiet activities.

 - Caregivers sit with and interact with children during

   meals and snacks.

 - Caregivers are trained on the use of positive guidance

   strategies and the developmental reasons for their use.

 

Administration

 - Coaching/mentoring for the program provided by an

   outside entity.

 - Program provides parents with their own copy of parent

   handbook/packet.

 - Program has a signed contract with each family.

 - Program has a non-discrimination policy for both staff

   and families.

 - Records for caregivers and children are kept for at least

   3 years.

 - Program has automobile insurance that covers the

   transportation of children in care.