Your Child Care Home: Environment Checklist

Think about (and look at) your environment and rate the following areas indicating S for Satisfactory, N for Needs Improvement, and NI for Needs IMMEDIATE Improvement. Remember, you’re not looking at how much space you have but how well you use it!

The arrival and entrance area:

____ adequate parking for parents

____ safe, well-lit entrance to home (e.g. snow cleared, path to door and steps in good repair)

____ entrance area is warm and welcoming

____ adequate space for adults and children

____ washable door mat

____ place for shoes and boots

____ place for the children’s outdoor clothes

____ place for each child’s personal belongings

____ bulletin board for menu, parent info, pictures, etc.

The eating area:

____ is cheerful and comfortable

____ table and chairs

____ any required booster seats, high chairs/infant chairs

____ child-friendly dishes, cutlery and cups

____ washable table, chairs and floor surface

____ convenient sink

The personal care area:

____ is functional and bright

____ adequate space for adult and child(ren)

____ toilet, potty seat or chair

____ sink

____ soap dispenser

____ non-slip stool for access to sink

____ shelves for supplies

____ cleaning supplies (stored out of reach)

____ hooks/hangers/shelves for children’s personal care supplies (face cloths, towels, toothbrushes, combs, etc.)

____ accessible diapering facilities (change table, necessary supplies/equipment)

The sleeping area:

____ is quiet and pleasant

____ comfortable mats, cots, or beds

____ individual bedding

____ cribs or playpens for infants/toddlers

____ window coverings to reduce brightness

Play areas:

____ are bright, cheerful and provide adequate space for intended use

____ child-sized table and chairs

____ adequate and accessible shelving and storage for toys, books, materials and equipment

____ shelves, tables or other furniture used to divide and organize areas for different kinds of play

____ comfortable rugs where appropriate

____ washable floors where appropriate

____ children’s artwork, posters and decorations

Space, equipment and supplies for:

____ creative play

____ block/building play

____ manipulative/cognitive play

____ dramatic play

____ language/reading activities

____ active play (indoors and outdoors)

Other areas:

Immediate Improvement: ____________________________________________

Satisfactory: ______________________________________________________

Needs Improvement: ________________________________________________

Useful websites:

Safe Kids Canada www.safekidscanada.ca

Children’s Environmental Health www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hecs-sesc/oceh/

Healthy Spaces www.cfc-efc.ca/healthy-spaces/

This excerpt was taken from the Family Child Care Training Project Level 1 - Unit One: Your Child Care Home.