Program Tool
Program Tool

Family Child Care - Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect Checklist

Virtual Lab School Family Child Care Child Abuse: Prevention Lesson 1 Learn Family Child Care - Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect Checklist
Program Tool
WWW.VIRTUALLABSCHOOL.ORG
ACTIVITY ID: 25341
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Use the following list of competencies to observe the providers’ interactions and experiences. After a provider has completed the appropriate Virtual Lab School course, use this checklist to observe the competencies they have attained. Each of the statements below refers to behaviors or attributes providers should be demonstrating when interacting with children and families in their care.  Some of the competencies are directly observable during each provider’s typical work day. Other competencies might be assessed through conversation with the provider. Ask the provider to reflect on these competencies and complete the checklist. Meet with the provider to discuss your observations and the provider’s thoughts and comments.

  • Use knowledge of developmental milestones to make positive decisions for children.
  • Share knowledge of developmental milestones with families or back-up providers as appropriate.
  • Use guidance strategies that help children solve problems and engage in positive social interactions.
  • Observe children for signs of abuse or neglect.
  • Share resources with families that may prevent abuse or neglect.
  • Establish secure bonds with the children.
  • Recognize the features in my family child care home that help prevent child abuse and neglect.
  • Participate in professional development opportunities to learn more about child development.
  • Share information about child development with families.
  • Observe the children in care and recognize age-appropriate behaviors.
  • Ask for help when needed from a trainer, coach, or family child care administrator.
  • Support children’s transitions between learning areas.
  • Respond in a comforting way to children’s fears.
  • Ensure transitions are as stress-free as possible.
  • Keep in contact with families who have been a part of the program.
  • Encourage children to express their feelings.
  • When new children join/exit the program, communicate those changes to families and children.
  • Help children process when children join/leave the program.
  • Read books about feelings to the children in care.
  • Plan activities to teach and reinforce concepts about emotions.
  • Label personal feelings.
  • Teach/model positive problem-solving strategies.
  • Use age-appropriate strategies to teach friendship skills.
  • Post a copy of your program’s Guidance and Touch policy where families and other adults can easily read it.
  • Practice positive guidance with a goal of four positive statements for every negative statement.
  • Model positive ways to cope with stressful/challenging situations.
  • Ask for feedback from a trainer, coach or family child administrator about the guidance strategies used in your family child care home.
  • Use words that encourage children and families.
  • When feeling overwhelmed, try to practice stress relieving techniques.
  • Try to understand possible reasons for a child’s behavior.
  • Recognize potential signs or red flags that could lead to child abuse or neglect in your family child care home.
  • Recognize when high stress levels are affecting the care children receive in your family child care home.
  • Follow service regulations that help to minimize the potential for child abuse or neglect.
Notes