1. Adequate Supervision:
The preschool should have adequate staff to supervise and monitor the children at all times, including during outdoor play, transitions between activities, and meal times.
2. Child Protection Policies:
The preschool should have clearly defined policies and procedures in place to protect children from physical or emotional harm.
3. Emergency Plans:
The preschool should have emergency plans in place and communicated to all staff members, outlining evacuation routes and procedures in the event of an emergency.
4. Health and Safety Standards:
The preschool should ensure that all relevant health and safety standards are adhered to, including those related to hazardous materials handling, playground equipment maintenance, fire safety, nutrition, and physical activity.
5. Adequate Environment:
The preschool environment should be safe, and spacious enough for children’s activities, and developmentally appropriate furniture/equipment is available for their use.
6. Nutrition Policies:
The preschool should have nutrition policies in place that promote healthy eating habits in children as well as provide guidance on what type of foods can be served.
7. Cleanliness and Sanitation:
The preschool should ensure that the environment is clean and safe, with regular sanitation of all surfaces and equipment.
8. Curriculum Standards:
The preschool curriculum should be up-to-date with the latest standards and align with its educational vision/goals for each age group; this includes providing developmentally appropriate activities for children’s physical, emotional, social, cognitive, and creative growth.
9. Positive Discipline Practices:
The staff at the preschool should have a positive attitude towards discipline that is based on positive reinforcement rather than punishment or ridicule.
10. Inclusion Policies:
The preschool should promote inclusivity by having policies in place to provide reasonable accommodations for children with special needs and/or learning disabilities.