DePaul University WRITE BRIEF EXPLAINATION LICENSING STANDARDS FOR DAY CARE CENTERS

Complete this assignment in either an infant or toddler setting.

Assessment Guidelines
This assessment will evaluate your ability to identify infant/toddler mental health nutritional and safety concerns as well as evaluate interactions within an infant/toddler environment for their capacity to support young children’s development in a culturally responsive way. You will use the information gathered via observation to establish recommendations for an infant/toddler environment regarding support for health, safety, nutrition, and well-being.

Part I: Environmental “Scavenger” Hunt
You can complete this environmental scan during your time with infants or toddlers.
• Arrange a date/time to visit to complete your environmental Health, Safety and Interaction Checklist and the Menu Review checklist (see attached) Download Health, Safety and Interaction Checklist and the Menu Review checklist (see attached)
• Before your observation:
o Locate and study Subpart G: Health and Hygiene from: Illinois Department of Children and Family Service. Licensing standards for day care centers. Available here. Download Illinois Department of Children and Family Service. Licensing standards for day care centers. Available here.
• Complete the Health, Safety and Interaction Checklist and the Menu Review Checklist provided, collecting evidence as available (sketches, examples, menus, documents etc.).

Post-Environmental Assessment Reflection:
Include a copy of the completed checklist. Summarize the results of your completed Health, Safety and Interaction Checklist. This summary should include the following:
• An overview of program practices related to:
o Maintaining regulations, standards, and guidelines for indoor and outdoor environments, food preparation, nutrition, and eating environments.
o Presence of supportive interactions with infants and toddlers during care-giving routines, including eating and sleeping.
• What additional information would have been beneficial for you to make a full assessment of health, safety, nutrition, eating environments, and caregiving routines within the program you observed?
Part 2: Recommendations
Based on data collected and suggestions above, make specific recommendations for each for the following, highlighting key areas of supporting health, nutrition, and safety for young children.

Children
• What did you observe as strengths and challenges regarding infant/toddler nutrition and the creation of safe and appropriate eating environments? What suggestions do you have for adaptations?
• What did you observe as strengths and challenges regarding healthy and safe infant/toddler environments? What suggestions do you have for changes to the environment?