VI. Administration
  • Staff/child ratios and group sizes permit the staff to meet the needs of children.
  • Children are supervised at all times.
  • Staff support families' involvement in the program.
  • Staff, families, and schools share important information to support the well being of children as guided by laws regarding confidentiality.
  • The program builds links to the community.
  • The program's indoor space meets the needs of staff.
  • The outdoor space is large enough to meet the needs of children and staff.
  • Staff and children work together to plan and implement suitable activities, which are consistent with the program's philosophy and related outcomes.
  • Program policies and procedures are in place to protect the safety of the children.
  • Program policies exist to protect and enhance the health of all children.
  • All staff are professionally qualified to work with children.
  • Staff (paid, volunteer, and substitute) are given an orientation to the job before working with children.
  • The training needs of the staff are assessed, and training is relevant to the responsibilities of each job.
  • Staff receive appropriate support to make their work experience positive.
  • The administration provides sound management of the program.
  • Program policies and procedures are responsive to the needs of children and families in the community.

21. Staff/child ratios and group sizes permit the staff to meet the needs of children.
  1. Staff/child ratios vary according to the ages and abilities of children. The ratio is between 1:10 and 1:15 for groups of children age six and older. The ratio is between 1:8 and 1:12 for groups that include children under age six.
  2. There is a plan to provide adequate staff coverage in case of emergencies.
  3. Substitute staff are used to maintain ratios when regular staff are absent.

22. Children are supervised at all times.
  1. Staff are aware of children's arrival.
  2. Staff are aware of children's departure and with whom they leave.
  3. Staff have a system for knowing where the children are at all times.
  4. Staff plan for different levels of supervision according to the level of risk involved in an activity.

23. Staff support families' involvement in the program.
  1. There is a policy that allows family members to visit any time throughout the day.
  2. Staff offer orientation sessions for new families.
  3. Staff keep families informed about the program.
  4. Staff encourage families to give input and to get involved in program events.

24. Staff, families, and schools share important information to support the well being of children as guided by laws regarding confidentiality.
  1. Program policies require that staff and family members communicate about the child's well being.
  2. Staff, families, and schools work together as a team to set goals for each child; they work with outside specialists when necessary.
  3. Staff and families share information about how to support children's development.
  4. Staff and families join together to communicate and work with the schools.

25. The program builds links to the community.
  1. Staff provide information about community resources to meet the needs of children and their families.
  2. The program develops a list of community resources. The staff draw from these resources to expand program offerings.
  3. The staff plan activities to help children get to know the larger community.
  4. The program offers community service options, especially for older children. Facility-based programs only:

Facility-based programs only:

26. The program's indoor space meets the needs of staff.
  1. There is enough room in the indoor space for staff to plan various program activities.
  2. Staff have access to adequate and convenient storage.
  3. The indoor space meets or exceeds local health and safety codes.
  4. Written guidelines are in place regarding the use and maintenance of the program facility.

27. The outdoor space is large enough to meet the needs of children and staff.
  1. There is enough room in the outdoor space for all program activities.
  2. The outdoor space meets or exceeds local health and safety codes.
  3. Staff use outdoor areas to provide new outdoor play experiences.
  4. There is a procedure in place for regularly checking the safety and maintenance of the outdoor play space.

28. Staff and children work together to plan and implement suitable activities, which are consistent with the program's philosophy and related outcomes.
  1. Staff ask children to share their ideas for planning so that activities will reflect children's interests.
  2. Children have regular opportunities to lead activities and evaluate them.
  3. The program's activities are in line with its mission.
  4. Staff keep on file their records of activity planning.
  5. Staff plan activities that will reflect the cultures of the families in the program and the broad diversity of human experience.

29. Program policies and procedures are in place to protect the safety of the children.
  1. Staff and children know what to do in case of general emergency.
  2. The program has established procedures to prevent accidents and manage emergencies.
  3. The program has established policies to transport children safely; it complies with all legal requirements for vehicles and drivers.
  4. A system is in place to prevent unauthorized people from taking children from the program.

30. Program policies exist to protect and enhance the health of all children.
  1. There is current documentation showing that the program has met the state and/or local health and safety guidelines and/or regulations.
  2. There are written policies and procedures to ensure the health and safety of children.
  3. No smoking is allowed in the program and strict policies are set regarding drug and alcohol use.
  4. The staff are always prepared to respond to accidents and emergencies.

31. All staff are professionally qualified to work with children.
  1. Staff meet minimum age requirements.
  2. Enough qualified staff are in place to meet all levels of responsibility. Qualified staff are hired in all areas: to administer the program, to oversee its program operations, and to supervise children.

32. Staff (paid, volunteer, and substitut
  • are given an orientation to the job before working with children.
    1. A written job description that outlines responsibilities to children, families, and the program is reviewed with each staff member.
    2. Written personnel policies are reviewed with staff.
    3. Written program policies and procedures, including emergency procedures and confidentiality policies, are reviewed with staff.
    4. New staff are given a comprehensive orientation to the program philosophy, routines, and practices. They are personally introduced to the people with whom they will be working.

    33. The training needs of the staff are assessed, and training is relevant to the responsibilities of each job.
    • Assistant Group Leaders: receive at least 15 hours of training annually.
    • Group Leaders: receive at least 18 hours of training annually.
    • Senior Group Leaders: receive at least 21 hours of training annually.
    • Site Directors: receive at least 24 hours of training annually.
    • Program Administrators: receive at least 30 hours of training annually.
    1. Staff receive training in how to work with families and how to relate to children in ways that promote their development including group work, facilitation, and cooperative learning.
    2. Program directors and administrators receive training in program management and staff supervision.
    3. Staff receive training in how to set up program space and design activities to support program goals and related outcomes.
    4. Staff receive training in how to promote the safety, health, and nutrition of children including conflict resolution and behavior management.

    34. Staff receive appropriate support to make their work experience positive.
    1. The program has a plan in place to offer the best possible wages and working conditions in an effort to reduce staff turnover.
    2. Full-time staff receive benefits, including health insurance and paid leaves of absence. Staff are also given paid breaks and paid preparation time.
    3. Staff are given ample time to discuss their own concerns regarding the program.
    4. Staff receive continuous supervision and feedback. This includes written performance reviews on a timely basis.

    35. The administration provides sound management of the program.
    1. The financial management of the program supports the program's goals.
    2. The administration oversees the recruitment and retention of program staff.
    3. The director involves staff, board, families, and children in both long-term planning and decision making.
    4. Administrators assist with ongoing evaluation. They aim for improvement in all areas of the program.

    36. Program policies and procedures are responsive to the needs of children and families in the community.
    1. A written mission statement sets forth the program's philosophy and goals and related outcomes.
    2. The program makes itself affordable to all families by using all possible community resources and sources of subsidy.
    3. The program's hours of operation are based on families' needs.
    4. It is the program's policy to enroll children with special needs.

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