Choosing child care is one of the most important decisions a parent can make. Our Child Care Checklist is designed to help families evaluate programs based on what really matters—their safety, top-notch learning, and emotional development. Whether you’re visiting a licensed child care home or a center, Collab’s tool ensures you’re asking the right questions and observing the necessary details.
– Easy to Use: Print and bring it with you on every visit.
– Focused on Quality: Covers safety, staff training, learning spaces, and parent communication.
– Supports Early Learning: Helps you choose the best environments that prepare children for school and their life.
– Built on the expertise of early childhood education professionals.
Our child care center checklist reflects the same standards we use in our Centers of Excellence—programs that integrate STEM and STEAM learning, certified ECE training, and nurturing and supportive environments. These are not typical daycare options—they are early education programs that build the foundation for lifelong success.
Our checklist helps parents identify providers who:
– Follow Texas Minimum Standards for Child Care
– Have certified training in early childhood education (CDA, CCP, Montessori, or degrees)
– Offer consistent and comprehensive communication with families
– Maintain safe, clean, and engaging environments
– Checklist updated with current standards
– Resources for families and providers
– Support for continuous improvement
– Alignment with early learning goals
– Parents: Compare programs side-by-side with a clear, easy-to-use tool.
– Providers: Show your commitment to quality by aligning with checklist standards.
– Educators: Use it as a guide for continuous improvement.
– Donors: Support tools that empower families and raise the bar for early education.
Q: What is Collaborative for Children’s Child Care Checklist?
A: It’s a downloadable and printable tool that helps families evaluate child care programs based on our safety, learning, and communication.
Q: Who should be using it?
A: Parents, guardians, and anyone choosing child care for a young child.
Q: Is this for daycare or child care centers?
A: Yes…Both. It works for licensed child care homes and centers focused on early education—not just walk-in daycare.
Q: Can providers use it too?
A: Yes! Providers can utilize it to enhance their services and demonstrate their commitment to excellence to families.
Empower your child’s future by choosing care that supports learning, safety, and growth.
Use our checklist to make the best decision for your family.
Download the Child Care Checklist
