Physical facility:

• Is the home safe and clean?
• Are there enough toys for all children? 
  Are they in good repair, readily accessible and suitable for the ages of the children being cared for?
• Is there a quiet area where a child can play alone and an open space where children can play together?
• Is there an accessible, safe outdoor play area?
• Are the children safe and protected, but given room to explore?

Daily routines:

• Are routine times set for eating and resting?
• For outdoor and indoor play, for quiet and active time?
• Is there a set of rules that is consistent and reasonable?

Activities:

You will need to provide a variety of play opportunities for the children you are caring for in your home.

 Here are some suggestions of things you may want to include:

• Table toys such as puzzles and games
• Musical movement - records, tapes, songs
• Blocks, large and small, toy people, trucks and animals
• Dress-up clothes for imaginative play; props like dishes, dolls, mirrors
• Arts and crafts - paper, paint, crayons, scissors, playdough, readily available to children
• Science and nature - planting seeds, cooking , outdoor exploring
• Books and stories
• Vigorous activities like climbing, swinging and running

You can apply for funding to help you purchase some of the above.
 see the Direct Operating Grant for more information on funding.