Infant Care Checklist

The Program
Room is bright and cheerful Yes No
Fresh air and healthy heating conditions maintained Yes No
Diapering, sleeping, feeding and play areas are separate Yes No
Cribs, bedding, feeding utensils, clothing, diapers etc. are labeled with child's name Yes No
Space is arranged so children can enjoy quiet play safely by themselves, space to
roll-over and objects they can crawl to and explore		 Yes No
There are bright, interesting objects at infant's eye level Yes No
There are NO baby walkers or swings in use Yes No
Floors are clean, stairs and doorways are protected with locked gates. 
Soft surfaces for sitting and lying on are available.		 Yes No
Children are taken outside every day for fresh air. Yes No

Health & Safety
Children are always under adult supervision Yes No
 Written medical records & emergency information 
kept on file for each child		 Yes No
MAT (Medication Administration Training) Certified: Trained
to give both prescription & over the counter medications such
as Tylenol, Robitussin, etc.		 Yes No
Diaper changing areas sanitized after each change Yes No
 Precautions taken to limit spread of infectious disease; toys
washed & cleaned frequently.		 Yes No
Children are protected from power sources in all rooms. All
electrical outlets are covered; all wires are out of reach.		 Yes No
All breakable, sharp or potential choking hazards are out of 
reach. Poison, cleaning fluids, medicine & firearms are in locked
cabinets. There are no dangling curtain or blind cords.		 Yes No

 

 

The Staff     
 Experienced in the care of infants Yes No
Nurturing & affectionate with children Yes No
Holds infants while feeding them Yes No
Responds to children's communications Yes No
Responds quickly to infant's cries. Responses
are soothing and tender.		 Yes No
Engages in face-to-face interactions with infants and speaks
with them often.		 Yes No
 Infants are held, fed, and cuddled when needed Yes No
Adult interactions are gentle and supportive Yes No
Children's acomplishments are encouraged and praised. Yes No
Respects children's curiosity and allows for individual differences Yes No
Spends most of the day interacting with infants, talking & playing
with them		 Yes No
Low staff turnover Yes No

 

Staffing Ratios:

Child Care Centers                   

Infants 6 weeks to 18 months………1 caregiver for every 4 children                                                                              Maximum group size: 8                    

Toddlers 18 months to 3 years……..1 caregiver for every 5 children                                                                              Maximum group size: 12           

Family Child Care

HomesInformal/Exempt/Legal Two

No more than 2 children in addition to caregiver’s own children. 

No more than 2 children under the age of 2, including the caregiver’s own children.

Family Child Care (NYS Registered)

6 children, ages 6 weeks to 12 years, AND may care for an additional 2

school-aged children with approval

There must be one caregiver for every two children under the age of two, including the provider’s own children      

Group Family Care (NYS Group Licensed)

Caregiver must have an assistant

12 children, ages 6 weeks to 12 years, AND may care for an additional 4 school-aged children with approval

There must be one caregiver for every two children under the age of two, including the provider’s own children          

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 631-240-2560.


Top