The Program
Current license is posted	Yes	No
Hours are suitable	Yes	No
Fees are affordable	Yes	No
Children seem happy	Yes	No
Setting is bright and cheerful	Yes	No
Building is safe and well maintained	Yes	No
There is a balanced and clear daily schedule	Yes	No
Activities are varied and age appropriate	Yes	No
Children play outdoors every day	Yes	No
Boys and girls are equally encouraged to take part in all activities.	Yes	No
There are art supplies, toys that "do something" when handled: sand, water, clay, dough, blocks, books, and music	Yes	No
There are scheduled parent/teacher conferences	Yes	No
Parents are welcome to spend time at the center & participate in activities	Yes	No

The Staff
Director is available to speak with	Yes	No
Gives children individual attention	Yes	No
Low staff turnover; teachers do not come and go	Yes	No
Gets along well with children and parents	Yes	No
Responds promptly when children need help	Yes	No
Joins children in activities	Yes	No
Sets appropriate health and safety limits	Yes	No
MAT (Medication Administration Training) Certified: Trained to give both prescription and over the counter medications such as Tylenol, Robitussin, etc.	Yes	No
Staff has High School or College Education	Yes	No
Staff has Early Childhood Education experience or degree	Yes	No
Center is National Association for the Education of the Young Child (NAEYC) Accredited. (This is not required by New York State, but may indicate a higher quality of care.)	Yes	No

New York State Child Care Center Regulations

CPR & First Aid recommended for program director, but not required unless there is a swimming pool

All staff are fingerprinted and criminal background checks are done

All full time staff must take 30 hours of training classes every two years

Center is inspected by State Licensor at least every two years

NYS Minimum Requirements for Child/Staff Ratio and Group Size

Age of Child

Staff/Child Ratio

Maximum Group Size

6 weeks - 18 months
1 caregiver for 4 children

8

18 months - 3 years
1 caregiver for 5 children

12

3 years
1 caregiver for 7 children

18

4 years
1 caregiver for 8 children

21

5 years
1 caregiver for 9 children

24

6-9 years
1 caregiver for 10 children

20

10-12 years
1 caregiver for 15 children

30

Protecting children is everyone’s job. If you have a concern about a child care program,

call the Long Island Regional Office of Children and Family Services at 631-342-7100.

Children play with toys that "do something" when handled: sand, water, clay, dough, blocks, books, and music