Ratios & Supervision
This is the maximum number of infants (0-12 months) an adult can supervise at one time according to DHS regulations.
What is 4?
According to DHS, this is the maximum allowed temperature for hot water accessible to children in sinks and bathrooms.
What is 110 degrees Fahrenheit?
Every child’s file must contain these two updated medical documents before they can attend care.
What are an up-to-date immunization record and a health appraisal/physical?
The NAEYC and STARS frameworks require this minimum amount of usable indoor square footage per child.
What is 35 square feet?
This is the first thing staff and children must do right after using the restroom or changing a diaper.
What is wash their hands with soap and water?
According to Keystone STARS/NAEYC guidelines, this minimum amount of time must be spent outdoors daily, weather permitting.
What is 60 minutes?
All cleaning supplies and chemicals must be stored in this manner to remain fully compliant with DHS licensing.
What is locked securely in a cabinet away from children?
This is the designated time frame a DHS child care license is valid in Pennsylvania before it must be renewed.
What is 3 years?
This is what high-quality learning environments use to prevent chaos and allow children to engage in concentrated, independent work.
What are defined, distinct interest areas/learning centers?
In a weather emergency like a tornado, this is the safest place to take your classroom group.
What is an inside room with no windows?
You have 3 infants, 2 toddlers, and 5 preschoolers in your mixed-age group. How many staff members are required to maintain compliance?
What is 2 staff?
DHS/NAEYC group sizes dictate the most restrictive ratio applies, usually requiring an additional adult as soon as the infant/toddler max is hit.
This specific procedure must be followed, step-by-step, whenever a child has a diaper change
What is using a non-porous surface, sanitizing, removing soiled diapers, washing hands, and recording it?
If a child requires prescription medication, these three items must be clearly documented to administer it.
What are the parent's written consent, the doctor's prescription (or original pharmacy label), and the exact time/dosage administered?
Teachers are encouraged to be this—meaning they have a purposeful plan for every interaction and can articulate the "why" behind their curriculum.
What is intentional?
This is the three-step process used to make a dirty table safe for food again.
What is wash, rinse, and sanitize?
During naptime, it is critical that this is maintained so staff can safely attend to a crying child or an emergency.
What are unobstructed sight and sound supervision ratios?
This is the legal obligation of all childcare employees if they suspect any form of child abuse.
What is to immediately report it to ChildLine?
This many training hours (including federal health and safety topics) are required annually for all staff.
What are 12 hours?
When observing the physical environment, NAEYC demands this adaptation so that all children, regardless of physical ability, have access to materials.
What are low, accessible shelves for children to reach materials independently?
If a child gets a scrape, staff must put these on before they touch the cut or help the child.
What are disposable plastic gloves?
If a substitute arrives or a teacher leaves for a quick restroom break, this documentation must be accurately updated in real-time.
What is the Staff-Child Ratio Tracking Sheet?
To maintain top-tier NAEYC and STARS health standards, this is how often frequently handled toys and mouthed objects must be sanitized.
What is daily?
Keystone STARS requires this overarching, written document to detail your center's goals in ECE Program, Staff Qualifications, and Leadership.
What is the Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Plan?
In the NAEYC assessment, this is how teaching teams are expected to adapt learning materials.
What is by making materials culturally relevant, anti-bias, and reflective of the families in the classroom?
This special document tells staff exactly where to go and who to call for every type of disaster.
What is the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP)?