Kent Regional 4C and the West Michigan community developed standards for child care and education. We hope this helps you in selecting the right care for you and your family:

The Caregivers

• Interact with children often
• Are available, responsive, friendly and positive
• Treat all children with respect and consideration
• Help children develop responsibility, self-control, turn-taking and problem solving
• Use positive techniques to guide children's behavior
• Offer different kinds of experiences
• Are at least 18 years old
• Are high school graduates and have some early childhood training
• Provide direct supervision at all times
• Have current CPR and First Aid training
• Provide sound management of the program
• Are committed to the profession

The Environment or The Program

• Is based on child development theories and the individual child's interests
• Includes all children regardless of ability or need
• Offers a balanced daily schedule - quiet/active; inside/outside; neat/messy
• Is flexible with scheduling
• Provides for independence, stimulation and security
• Allows children to choose their own activities most of the time
• Has sufficient materials to support the activities
• Is clean, safe and attractive
• Provides a space for each child's belongings
• Offers a large enough space to meet the needs of the children
• Is comfortable and well organized
• Follows all health and safety requirements
• Is cleaned daily
• Provides meals and snacks as recommended by the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

The Partnership with Parents

• Provides information about the facility's philosophy and goals for children
• Has a process for sharing information about the program at the initial meeting
• Encourages all adults to listen and talk to each other about the child
• Has an "open-door" policy - parents are welcome any time
• Includes sharing information daily about the child
• Is based on trust and respect
• Caregivers and parents work together to make decisions about the child's growth and development
• Communicates the program's health policies to all families
• Program policies and procedures are responsive to the needs of the children and families in the community