In a quality program parents can depend on staff to help with this important transistion. The first few days of separation of a child from the parent is almost always the most traumatic and the most difficult. Staff should help the child to feel safe and comfortable in their new environment by holding their hand or picking the child up to say good-bye. It is important for children to have contact with a caregiver before they are left in the center, this helps them to feel a part of the new place and reassures them that they will be cared for while their parents are away. The center is clean and organized.
Equipment is safe for children and in good condition.
Center is well lighted, bright and cheerful. Opportunities and equipment are available for climbing , running, digging and imaginative play, as well as creative and cognitive experiences. Toilets and sinks are child-sized and easily accessible. There are facilities for diaper changing. Each child is provided with a space for personal belongings.