PROGRAM SELF-ASSESSMENT TOOL – FAMILY CHILD CARE

Step 1: Look at Your Program

Think about how your child care program helps children learn and grow. Look at the questions below. Check where you are doing well and where you can improve.

You can use the self-assessment in different ways:
Complete as the primary provider or together if you have additional staff
Work with a coach or mentor to complete it
Ask your coach for a paper copy if you prefer
Teamwork is important! All staff are encouraged to take part if you have more than one provider. Once finished, gather results to find areas for improvement.

Step 2: Make a Plan

Use what you learn from this checklist to make your program even better! You can note which questions might inspire goals for your Quality Improvement Plan.

This self-assessment is intended to supplement, not replace, regulatory (licensing or certification) standards. Items in the self-assessment represent high-quality standards that are above and beyond what is included in the regulatory standards.

How to Complete the Self-Assessment

1. Read Each Question – Go through each question in the checklist carefully.

2. Give a Score – Think about how well your program is doing in each area. Choose a response:
No or never
Somewhat
Yes or Always

3. Finding Areas to Improve
Note Your Goals – If there is a question you might want to learn more about or create a quality improvement goal around, check the box that says "This could be a goal!"
Focus on Low Scores – Look at the areas where you scored lower. These are good places to set goals for your Quality Improvement Plan (QIP).
Be Honest & Learn – Choose a score that truly reflects your program. This isn’t a test—it's a tool to help your team grow and improve!
This process helps you see what’s working well and where you can make things even better.

How to Complete the Self-Assessment

1. Read Each Question – Go through each question in the checklist carefully.

2. Give a Score – Think about how well your program is doing in each area. Choose a response:
No or never
Somewhat
Yes or Always

3. Finding Areas to Improve
Note Your Goals – If there is a question you might want to learn more about or create a quality improvement goal around, check the box that says "This could be a goal!"
Focus on Low Scores – Look at the areas where you scored lower. These are good places to set goals for your Quality Improvement Plan (QIP).
Be Honest & Learn – Choose a score that truly reflects your program. This isn’t a test—it's a tool to help your team grow and improve!
This process helps you see what’s working well and where you can make things even better.

Congratulations! You have completed Step 1: Look at Your Program.

You can take the information from this checklist to begin working on

Step 2: Make a Plan. To get started with Step 2, answer some general questions about what you learned from completing the checklist.