NAEYC Classroom Observation Tool

This table is created so that it can be sorted to choose specific groups of criteria (Universal or all groups = U;
Infants=I; Toddlers/Twos=T; Preschool=P; Kindergarten=K). Using Microsoft WORD, place the cursor within
the table. Select the Sort option under Table on the main menu. In the Dialog Box that opens, select the desired
age group (U, I, T, P, or K) in the first sort selection, then select # in the second sort, then select ** on the third
sort selection. Be sure that Age Group sort is in Descending order and the # and ** sorts are in Ascending order.
Then click OK to close the dialogue box and complete the sort. This will create a table in which your desired Age
Group appears at the top of the table. Delete or do not print the rows that are not needed.

# Notes of Evidence; Why Met or Not

** U I T P K Criterion
Met
1 X X X X X Observable Criteria for the Relationships
Standard
1 A. X X X X X Building Positive Relationships among
Teachers and Families
1 A. X X X X X Teachers communicate with family members on
03 an ongoing basis to
learn about children’s individual needs and
ensure a smooth transition between home
and program.
1 A. X X X X X Teaching staff are sensitive to and reassure
04 family members who are concerned about
leaving children in non-family care.
1 A. X X X X X Teachers share information with families about
05 classroom rules, expectations, and routines not
only at enrollment but also as needed
throughout the year.
1 B. X X X X X Building Positive Relationships between
Teachers and Children
1 B. X X X X X Teaching staff foster children's emotional well-
01 being by demonstrating respect for children and
creating a positive emotional climate as
reflected in behaviors such as frequent social
conversations, joint laughter, and affection.
1 B. X X X X X Teaching staff express warmth through
02 behaviors such as physical affection, eye
contact, tone of voice, and smiles.
1 B. X X X X X Teaching staff are consistent and predictable in
03 their physical and emotional care of all
children.
1 B. X X X X X Teaching staff encourage and recognize
04 children’s work and accomplishments.

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# Notes of Evidence; Why Met or Not

** U I T P K Criterion
Met
1 B. X X X X X Teaching staff function as secure bases for
05 children. They respond promptly in
developmentally appropriate ways to children’s
positive initiations, negative emotions, and
feelings of hurt and fear by providing
comfort, support, and assistance.
1 B. X X X X X Teaching staff encourage children’s appropriate
06 expression of emotions, both positive (e.g., joy,
pleasure, excitement) and negative (e.g., anger,
frustration, sadness).
1 B. X X X X X Teaching staff evaluate and change their
07 responses based on individual needs. Teachers
vary their interactions to be sensitive and
responsive to differing abilities,
temperaments, activity levels, and
cognitive and social development.
1 B. X X X X X Teaching staff support children’s competent and
08 self-reliant exploration and use of classroom
materials.
1 B. X X X X X Teaching staff never use physical punishment
09 such as shaking or hitting and do not engage in
psychological abuse or coercion. (This is a
required criterion.)
1 B. X X X X X Teaching staff never use threats or derogatory
10 remarks, and do not withhold nor threaten to
withhold food as a form of discipline.
1 B. X Teaching staff engage infants in frequent face-
11 to-face social interactions each day. These
include both verbal behaviors (e.g., talking,
cooing, repeating infant sounds, singing) and
nonverbal behaviors (e.g., smiling, touching,
and holding).
1 B. X Teaching staff give one-to-one attention to
12 infants when engaging in caregiving routines.
1 B. X X Teaching staff adjust their interactions to
13 infants’ and toddlers’/twos’ various states and
levels of arousal.
1 B. X X Teaching staff quickly respond to infants’ and
14 toddlers’/twos’ cries or other signs of distress by
providing physical comfort and needed
care. Teaching staff are sensitive to infants’
and toddlers’/twos’ various signals and learn to
read their individual cries.

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# Notes of Evidence; Why Met or Not

** U I T P K Criterion
Met
1 B. X X X Teaching staff talk frequently with children and
15 listen to children with attention and respect.
They
respond to children’s questions and
requests.
use strategies to communicate effectively
and build relationships with every child.
engage regularly in meaningful and
extended conversations with each child.
1 C. X X X X X Helping Children Make Friends
1 C. X Teaching staff facilitate an infant’s social
01 interaction when he or she is interested in
looking at, touching, or vocalizing to others.
1 C. X X X Teaching staff support children's development
02 of friendships and provide opportunities for
children to play with and learn from each other.
1 C. X X X Teaching staff support children as they practice
03 social skills and build friendships by helping
them enter into, sustain, and enhance play.
1 C. X X X Teaching staff assist children in resolving
04 conflicts by helping them identify feelings,
describe problems, and try alternative
solutions.
1 C. X X X Teaching staff guide children who bully, isolate,
05 or hurt other children to learn and follow the
rules of the classroom.
1 C. X X X Teaching staff facilitate positive peer interaction
06 for children who are socially reserved or
withdrawn and for those who are bullied or
excluded.
1 D. X X X X X Creating a Predictable, Consistent, and
Harmonious Classroom

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# Notes of Evidence; Why Met or Not

** U I T P K Criterion
Met
1 D. X X X X X Teaching staff counter potential bias and
01 discrimination by

treating all children with equal respect and

consideration
initiating activities and discussions that build
positive self-identity and teach the valuing of
differences.
intervening when children tease or reject
others.
providing models and visual images of adult
roles, differing abilities, and ethnic or cultural
backgrounds that counter stereotypical
limitations.
avoiding stereotypes in language
references.
1 D. X X X Teachers provide children opportunities to
02 develop the classroom community through
participation in decision making about
classroom rules, plans, and activities.
1 D. X X X Teaching staff anticipate and take steps to
03 prevent potential behavior problems.
1 D. X X X Teaching staff help children talk about their
04 own and others’ emotions. They provide
opportunities for children to explore a wide
range of feelings and the different ways that
those feelings can be expressed.
1 D. X X X Teaching staff promote pro-social behavior by
05 interacting in a respectful manner with all staff
and children. They
model turn taking and sharing as well as
caring behaviors.
help children negotiate their interactions with
one another and with shared materials.
engage children in the care of their
classroom.
ensure that each child has an opportunity to
contribute to the group.
encourage children to listen to one another.
encourage and help children to provide
comfort when others are sad or distressed.
use narration and description of ongoing
interactions to identify pro-social behaviors.
1 E. X X X X X Addressing Challenging Behaviors

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# Notes of Evidence; Why Met or Not

** U I T P K Criterion
Met
1 E. X X X Rather than focus solely on reducing the
03 challenging behavior, teachers focus on
teaching the child social, communication,
and emotional regulation skills and
using environmental modifications, activity
modifications, adult or peer support, and
other teaching strategies to support the
child’s appropriate behavior.
1 E. X X X Teaching staff respond to a child’s challenging
04 behavior, including physical aggression, in a
manner that
provides for the safety of the child.
provides for the safety of others in the
classroom.
is calm.
is respectful to the child.
provides the child with information on
acceptable behavior.
1 F. X X X X X Promoting Self-Regulation
1 F. X X X Teaching staff actively teach children social,
01 communication, and emotional regulation
skills.
1 F. X X X Teaching staff help children manage their
02 behavior by guiding and supporting children to
persist when frustrated.
play cooperatively with other children.
use language to communicate needs.
learn turn taking.
gain control of physical impulses.
express negative emotions in ways that do
not harm others or themselves.
use problem-solving techniques.
learn about self and others.
2 X X X X X Observable Criteria for the Curriculum
Standard
2 A. X X X X X Curriculum: Essential Characteristics

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# Notes of Evidence; Why Met or Not

** U I T P K Criterion
Met
2 A. X X X X X The curriculum guides the development of a
07 daily schedule that is predictable yet flexible
and responsive to individual needs of the
children. The schedule
provides time and support for transitions.
includes both indoor and outdoor
experiences.
is responsive to a child’s need to rest or be
active.
2 A. X X X X X Materials and equipment used to implement the
08 curriculum reflect the lives of the children and
families as well as the diversity found in society,
including gender, age, language, and
abilities.
Materials and equipment
provide for children’s safety while being
appropriately challenging.
encourage exploration, experimentation, and
discovery.
promote action and interaction.
are organized to support independent use.
are rotated to reflect changing curriculum
and to accommodate new interests and skill
levels.
are rich in variety.
accommodate children’s special needs.
2 A. X X Materials and equipment used to implement the
09 curriculum for infants and toddlers/twos
encourage
exploration, experimentation, and discovery.
sensory and motor learning.
their practice of developing physical skills
through self-initiated movement.
2 A. X X X The curriculum guides teachers to incorporate
10 content, concepts, and activities that foster
social, emotional, physical, language,
and cognitive development and that
integrate key areas of content including literacy,
mathematics, science, technology, creative
expression and the arts, health and safety, and
social studies.

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# Notes of Evidence; Why Met or Not

** U I T P K Criterion
Met
2 A. X X X The schedule provides children learning
11 opportunities, experiences, and projects that
extend over the course of several days and it
incorporates time for:
play, self-initiated learning, creative
expression,
large-group, small-group, and child-
initiated activity.
2 A. X X The curriculum guides teachers to plan for
12 children’s engagement in play (including
dramatic play and blocks) that is integrated into
classroom topics of study.
2 B. X X X X X Areas of Development: Social-Emotional
Development
2 B. X X X X X Children have varied opportunities to engage
01 throughout the day with teaching staff who
are attentive and responsive to them.
facilitate their social competence.
facilitate their ability to learn through
interacting with others.
2 B. X X X X X Children have varied opportunities to recognize
02 and name their own and others’ feelings.
2 B. X X X X X Children have varied opportunities to learn the
03 skills needed to regulate their emotions,
behavior, and attention.
2 B. X X X X X Children have varied opportunities to develop a
04 sense of competence and positive attitudes
toward learning, such as persistence,
engagement, curiosity, and mastery.
2 B. X X X Children have varied opportunities to develop
05 skills for entering into social groups, developing
friendships, learning to help, and other pro-
social behavior.
2 B. X X X Children have varied opportunities to
06 interact positively, respectfully, and
cooperatively with others.
learn from and with one another.
resolve conflicts in constructive ways.
2 B. X X X Children have varied opportunities to learn to
07 understand, empathize with, and take into
account other people’s perspectives.
2 C. X X X X X Areas of Development: Physical Development

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# Notes of Evidence; Why Met or Not

** U I T P K Criterion
Met
2 C. X X Infants and toddlers/twos are provided an
01 environment that allows them to move freely
and achieve mastery of their bodies through
self-initiated movement.
They have multiple opportunities to practice
emerging skills in
coordination, movement, and balance, as
well as
perceptual-motor integration
2 C. X X Infants and toddlers/twos have multiple
02 opportunities to develop fine-motor skills by
acting on their environments using their hands
and fingers in a variety of age-appropriate
ways.
2 C. X X X Children are provided varied opportunities and
03 materials that support fine-motor development.
2 C. X X Children have varied opportunities and are
04 provided equipment to engage in large-motor
experiences that
stimulate a variety of skills.
enhance sensory-motor integration.
develop controlled movement (balance,
strength, coordination).
enable children with varying abilities to have
large-motor experiences similar to those of
their peers.
range from familiar to new and challenging.
help them learn physical games with rules
and structure.
2 D. X X X X X Areas of Development: Language Development
2 D. X X X X X Children are provided opportunities to
02 experience oral and written communication in a
language their family uses or understands.
2 D. X X X X X Children have varied opportunities to develop
03 competence in verbal and nonverbal
communication by
responding to questions.
communicating needs, thoughts, and
experiences.
describing things and events.
2 D. X X X X X Children have varied opportunities to develop
04 vocabulary through conversations,
experiences such as field trips, and books.

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# Notes of Evidence; Why Met or Not

** U I T P K Criterion
Met
2 D. X X X Children who are nonverbal are provided
05 alternative communication strategies.
2 D. X X Children have varied opportunities and
06 materials that encourage them to have
discussions to solve problems that are
interpersonal and those that are related to the
physical world.
2 D. X X Children are provided varied opportunities and
07 materials that encourage them to engage in
discussions with one another.
2 E. X X X X X Curriculum Content Area for Cognitive
Development: Early Literacy
2 E. X Infants have varied opportunities to experience
01 songs, rhymes, routine games and books
through
individualized play that includes simple
rhymes, songs, and interactive games (e.g.,
peekaboo).
daily opportunities for each child to hear and
respond to various types of books including
picture books, wordless books, and books
with rhymes.
access to durable books that enable
independent exploration.
2 E. X Toddlers/twos have varied opportunities to
02 experience books, songs, rhymes, and routine
games through
individualized play that includes simple
rhymes, songs, and sequences of gestures
(e.g., finger plays, peekaboo, patty-cake,
this little piggy).
daily opportunities to hear and respond to
various types of books including picture
books, wordless books, and books with
rhymes.
access to durable books that enable
independent exploration.
experiences that help them understand that
pictures represent real things in their
environment.

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# Notes of Evidence; Why Met or Not

** U I T P K Criterion
Met
2 E. X X X Children have opportunities to become familiar
03 with print. They are actively involved in making
sense of print, and they have opportunities to
become familiar with, recognize, and use print
that is accessible throughout the classroom:
Items belonging to a child are labeled with
his or her name.
Materials are labeled.
Print is used to describe some rules and
routines.
Teaching staff help children recognize print
and connect it to spoken words.
2 E. X X Children have varied opportunities to
04 be read books in an engaging manner in
group or individualized settings at least twice
a day in full-day programs and at least once
daily in half-day programs.
be read to regularly in individualized ways,
including one-to-one or in small groups of
two to six children regularly.
explore books on their own and have places
that are conducive to the quiet enjoyment of
books.
have access to various types of books,
including storybooks, factual books, books
with rhymes, alphabet books, and wordless
books.
be read the same book on repeated
occasions.
retell and reenact events in storybooks.
engage in conversations that help them
understand the content of the book.
be assisted in linking books to other aspects
of the curriculum.
identify the parts of books and differentiate
print from pictures.

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# Notes of Evidence; Why Met or Not

** U I T P K Criterion
Met
2 E. X X Children have multiple and varied opportunities
05 to write.
Writing materials and activities are readily
available in art, dramatic play, and other
learning centers.
Various types of writing are supported,
including scribbling, letter-like marks, and
developmental spelling.
Children have daily opportunities to write or
dictate their ideas.
Children are provided needed assistance in
writing the words and messages they are
trying to communicate.
Children are given the support they need to
write on their own, including access to the
alphabet and to printed words about topics
of current interest both of which are made
available at eye level or on laminated cards.
Children see teaching staff model functional
use of writing and are helped to discuss the
many ways writing is used in daily life.
2 E. X X Children are regularly provided multiple and
06 varied opportunities to develop phonological
awareness:
Children are encouraged to play with the
sounds of language, including syllables,
word families, and phonemes, using rhymes,
poems, songs, and finger plays.
Children are helped to identify letters and
the sounds they represent.
Children are helped to recognize and
produce words that have the same
beginning or ending sounds.
Children’s self-initiated efforts to write letters
that represent the sounds of words are
supported.
2 E. X X Children are given opportunities to recognize
07 and write letters.
2 E. X X Children have access to books and writing
08 materials throughout the classroom.
2 E. X Kindergartners have varied opportunities to
09 learn to read familiar words, sentences, and
simple books.
2 E. X Kindergartners are encouraged to identify
10 phonemes in words through varied activities
including writing and games.

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# Notes of Evidence; Why Met or Not

** U I T P K Criterion
Met
2 E. X Each kindergartner is encouraged to write
11 independently each day.
2 F. X X X X X Curriculum Content Area for Cognitive
Development: Early Mathematics
2 F. X X Infants and toddlers/twos are provided varied
01 opportunities and materials to
use language, gestures, and materials to
convey mathematical concepts such as
more and less and big and small.
see and touch different shapes, sizes,
colors, and patterns.
build number awareness, using objects in
the environment.
read books that include counting and
shapes.
2 F. X X X Children are provided varied opportunities and
02 materials to build understanding of numbers,
number names, and their relationship to object
quantities and to symbols.
2 F. X X X Children are provided varied opportunities and
03 materials to categorize by one or two attributes
such as shape, size, and color.
2 F. X X X Children are provided varied opportunities and
04 materials that encourage them to integrate
mathematical terms into everyday conversation.
2 F. X Children are provided varied opportunities and
05 materials that help them understand the
concept of measurement by using standard
and non-standard units of measurement.
2 F. X X Children are provided varied opportunities and
06 materials to understand basic concepts of
geometry by, for example, naming and
recognizing two- and three-dimensional shapes
and recognizing how figures are composed of
different shapes.
2 F. X X Children are provided varied opportunities to
07 build an understanding of time in the context of
their lives, schedules, and routines.
2 F. X X Children are provided varied opportunities and
08 materials that help them recognize and name
repeating patterns.
2 F. X Kindergartners are provided varied
09 opportunities and materials to use standard
and nonstandard units of measurement and to
assign numerical values to measurements.

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# Notes of Evidence; Why Met or Not

** U I T P K Criterion
Met
2 F. X Kindergartners are provided varied
10 opportunities and materials to
create, represent, discuss, and extend
repeating and growing patterns.
2 F. X Kindergartners are provided varied
11 opportunities and materials that encourage
them to use written mathematical
representations in everyday experiences.
2 F. X Kindergartners are provided varied
12 opportunities and materials to use numerical
symbols and to explore operations on
quantities, such as adding, taking away, and
dividing into equal and unequal subsets.
2 F. X Kindergartners are provided varied
13 opportunities and materials that introduce them
to conventional tools for understanding time
such as a calendar and a clock for
understanding time.
2 G. X X X X X Curriculum Content Area for Cognitive
Development: Science
2 G. X X Infants and toddlers/twos are provided varied
01 opportunities and materials to
use their senses to learn about objects in the
environment.
discover that they can make things happen
and solve simple problems.
2 G. X X Children are provided varied opportunities and
02 materials to learn key content and principles of
science such as
the difference between living and nonliving
(e.g., plants versus rocks), and life cycles of
various organisms (e.g., plants, butterflies,
humans).
earth and sky (e.g., seasons, weather,
geologic features, light and shadow, sun,
moon, and stars).
structure and property of matter (e.g.,
characteristics that include concepts such as
hard and soft, floating and sinking) and
behavior of materials (e.g., transformation of
liquids and solids by dissolving or melting).
2 G. X X Children are provided varied opportunities and
03 materials that encourage them to use the five
senses to observe, explore, and experiment
with scientific phenomena.

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# Notes of Evidence; Why Met or Not

** U I T P K Criterion
Met
2 G. X X Children are provided varied opportunities to
04 use simple tools to observe objects and
scientific phenomena.
2 G. X X Children are provided varied opportunities and
05 materials to collect data and to represent and
document their findings (e.g., through drawing
or graphing).
2 G. X X Children are provided varied opportunities and
06 materials that encourage them to think,
question, and reason about observed and
inferred phenomena.
2 G. X X Children are provided varied opportunities and
07 materials that encourage them to discuss
scientific concepts in everyday conversation.
2 G. X X Children are provided varied opportunities and
08 materials that help them learn and use scientific
terminology and vocabulary associated with the
content areas.
2 H. X X X X X Curriculum Content Area for Cognitive
Development: Technology
2 H. X X X The use of passive media such as television,
01 film, videotapes, and audiotapes is limited to
developmentally appropriate programming.
2 H. X X All children have opportunities to access
02 technology (e.g., tape recorders, microscopes,
computers) that they can use
by themselves.
collaboratively with their peers.
with teaching staff or a parent.
2 H. X X Technology is used to
03 extend learning within the classroom.
integrate and enrich the curriculum.
2 J. X X X X X Curriculum Content Area for Cognitive
Development: Creative Expression and
Appreciation for the Arts
2 J. X X X X X Children are provided varied opportunities to
01 gain an appreciation of art, music, drama,
and dance in ways that reflect cultural
diversity.
2 J. X X Infants and toddlers/twos are provided varied
02 opportunities to explore and manipulate age-
appropriate art materials.

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# Notes of Evidence; Why Met or Not

** U I T P K Criterion
Met
2 J. X X Infants and toddlers/twos have varied
03 opportunities to express themselves creatively
through freely moving to music.
Toddlers/twos have varied opportunities to
engage in pretend or imaginative play.
2 J. X X X Children are provided varied opportunities to
04 learn new concepts and vocabulary related to
art, music, drama, and dance.
2 J. X X X Children are provided varied opportunities to
05 develop and widen their repertoire of skills that
support artistic expression (e.g., cutting, gluing,
and caring for tools).
2 J. X X Children are provided many and varied open-
06 ended opportunities and materials to express
themselves creatively through music, drama,
dance and two- and three-dimensional art.
2 J. X X Children have opportunities to respond to the
07 art of other children and adults.
2 K. X X X X X Curriculum Content Area for Cognitive
Development: Health and Safety
2 K. X X X Children are provided varied opportunities and
01 materials that encourage good health practices,
such as serving and feeding themselves, rest,
good nutrition, exercise, hand washing, and
tooth brushing.
2 K. X X X Children are provided varied opportunities and
02 materials to help them learn about nutrition,
including identifying sources of food and
recognizing, preparing, eating, and valuing
healthy foods.
2 K. X X X Children are provided varied opportunities and
03 materials that increase their awareness of
safety rules in their classroom, home, and
community.
2 K. X X X Children have opportunities to practice safety
04 procedures.
2 K. X X Children are provided opportunities to discuss,
05 ask questions, and express fears about visiting
the doctor, clinic, hospital, or dentist; getting
shots; and taking medicine.
2 L. X X X X X Curriculum Content Area for Cognitive
Development: Social Studies
2 L. X X X X X Children are provided varied learning
01 opportunities that foster positive identity and an
emerging sense of self and others.
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# Notes of Evidence; Why Met or Not

** U I T P K Criterion
Met
2 L. X X X Children are offered opportunities to become a
02 part of the classroom community so each child
feels accepted, and gains a sense of belonging
2 L. X X X Children are provided varied opportunities and
03 materials to build their understanding of
diversity in
culture, family structure, ability,
language, age, gender in non-stereotypical
ways.
2 L. X X X Children are provided opportunities and
04 materials to explore social roles in the family
and workplace through play.
2 L. X X X Children are provided varied opportunities and
05 materials to learn about the community in which
they live.
2 L. X X Children have varied opportunities to engage in
06 discussions about fairness, friendship,
responsibility, authority, and differences.
2 L. X X Children are provided varied opportunities and
07 materials to learn about physical characteristics
of their local environment as a foundation for
learning geography.
2 L. X X Children are provided varied opportunities and
08 materials to learn how people affect their
environment in positive (e.g., recycling) and
negative (e.g., polluting) ways.
2 L. X X Children are provided varied opportunities and
09 materials that allow them to contribute to the
well-being of their classroom and the
community, including care for the social and
physical environments in which they live.
2 L. X X Children are provided opportunities and
10 materials that build a foundation for
understanding economic concepts (e.g., playing
restaurant, managing a store, and identifying
and exchanging money.)
2 L. X Kindergartners are provided opportunities and
11 materials that help them link learning about their
hometown, their state, the U.S. and their
country of origin to previous learning, as a
foundation for learning geography, history, and
social studies.
3 X X X X X Observable Criteria for the Teaching
Standard
3 A. Designing Enriched Learning Environments

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NAEYC Classroom Observation Tool Page 17 of 35

# Notes of Evidence; Why Met or Not

** U I T P K Criterion
Met
3 A. X X X X X Teaching staff, program staff, or both work as a
01 team to implement daily teaching and learning
activities, including Individualized Family
Service Plans (IFSPs), Individualized Education
Programs (IEPs), and other individual plans as
needed.
3 A. X X X X X Teachers design an environment that protects
02 children’s health and safety at all times.
3 A. X X X X X Teaching staff support children’s needs for
03 physical movement, sensory stimulation,
fresh air, rest, and nourishment.
3 A. X X X X X Teachers organize space and select materials
04 in all content and developmental areas to
stimulate exploration, experimentation,
discovery and conceptual learning.
3 A. X X X Teachers work to prevent challenging or
05 disruptive behaviors through
environmental design.
schedules that meet the needs and abilities
of children.
effective transitions.
engaging activities.
3 A. X X X Teachers create classroom displays that
06 help children reflect on and extend their
learning.
Teachers ensure that children’s recent
works predominate in classroom displays
(e.g., art, emergent writing, graphic
representation, and three-dimensional
creations).
Some displays are at children’s eye level.
3 A. X X X Teaching staff and children work together to
07 arrange classroom materials in predictable
ways so children know where to find things and
where to put them away.
3 B. X X X X X Creating Caring Communities for Learning
3 B. X X X X X Teaching staff’s daily interactions demonstrate
01 their knowledge of
the children they teach.
the children’s families.
the social, linguistic, and cultural context in
which the children live.

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NAEYC Classroom Observation Tool Page 18 of 35

# Notes of Evidence; Why Met or Not

** U I T P K Criterion
Met
3 B. X X X X X Teaching staff create and maintain a setting in
02 which children of differing abilities can progress,
with guidance, toward increasing levels of:
autonomy, responsibility, and empathy.
3 B. X X X X X Teaching staff develop individual relationships
03 with children by providing care that is
responsive, attentive, consistent,
comforting, supportive, and culturally
sensitive.
3 B. X X X X X Teaching staff are active in identifying and
04 countering any teaching practices, curriculum
approaches, or materials that are degrading
with respect toward gender, sexual orientation,
age, language, ability, race, religion, family
structure, background, or culture.
3 B. X X X X X Teachers help individual children learn socially
05 appropriate behavior by providing guidance that
is consistent with the child’s level of
development.
3 B. X X X X X Teachers manage behavior and implement
06 classroom rules and expectations in a manner
that is consistent and predictable.
3 B. X X X X X Teachers’ responses to challenging,
07 unpredictable, or unusual behavior are informed
by their knowledge of children’s home and
classroom life.
3 B. X X X X X Teachers notice patterns in children’s
08 challenging behaviors to provide thoughtful,
consistent, and individualized responses.
3 B. X Teaching staff create a climate of respect for
09 infants by looking for as well as listening and
responding to verbal and nonverbal cues.
3 B. X X Teaching staff individualize routine care (e.g.,
10 learning to use the toilet and to feed oneself) by
incorporating family practices whenever
possible and by respecting the home culture
and the family’s preferred language.
3 B. X X X Teaching staff create a climate of mutual
11 respect for children by being interested in their
ideas, experiences, and products.

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NAEYC Classroom Observation Tool Page 19 of 35

# Notes of Evidence; Why Met or Not

** U I T P K Criterion
Met
3 B. X X X Teachers address challenging behavior by
12 assessing the function of the child’s
behavior.
convening families and professionals to
develop individualized plans to address
behavior.
using positive behavior support strategies.
3 B. X X Teachers provide children opportunities to
13 affect what happens in the classroom through
participation in decision making about issues
concerning classroom behavior, plans, and
activities.
3 C. X X X X X Supervising Children
3 C. X X X X X Teaching staff supervise by positioning
01 themselves to see as many children as
possible.
3 C. X X Teaching staff supervise infants and
02 toddlers/twos by sight and sound at all times.
(This is a required criterion.)
3 C. X X When infants and toddlers/twos are sleeping,
03 mirrors, video, or sound monitors may be used
to augment supervision in sleeping areas, but
such monitors may not be relied on in lieu of
direct visual and auditory supervision.
Sides of cribs are checked to ensure they
are up and locked.
Teachers, assistant teachers, or teacher
aides are aware of, and positioned so they
can hear and see, any sleeping children for
whom they are responsible, especially when
they are actively engaged with children who
are awake.
3 C. X X Teaching staff supervise children primarily by
04 sight. Supervision for short intervals by sound is
permissible, as long as teachers check
frequently on children who are out of sight (e.g.,
those who can use the toilet independently, who
are in a library area, or who are napping). (This
is a required criterion.)

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NAEYC Classroom Observation Tool Page 20 of 35

# Notes of Evidence; Why Met or Not

** U I T P K Criterion
Met
3 C. X Teaching staff allow kindergarten children who
05 are doing tasks in a safe environment to be out
of the teacher’s sight and sound supervision for
a short period of time (e.g., when taking the
attendance report to the office). Teachers check
on children if those children do not return
promptly to the group or if the adult at the
child’s destination does not confirm the child’s
arrival.
3 D. X X X X X Using Time, Grouping, and Routines to Achieve
Learning Goals
3 D. X X X X X Teachers provide time daily for indoor
01 activities
outdoor activities (except when conditions
pose a health risk as defined by local health
officials).
3 D. X X X X X Teaching staff use routine care to facilitate
02 children’s self-awareness, language, and
social interaction.
3 D. X X X X X Teachers provide time and materials daily for
03 children to select their own activities.
3 D. X X X X X Teaching staff offer children opportunities to
04 interact with children of various ages.
3 D. X Teachers organize time and space on a daily
06 basis to offer infants opportunities to play
individually, in pairs, and in small groups.
3 D. X X At snack times, teaching staff sit and eat with
07 children and engage them in conversation.
When provided, meals are served family
style, and teaching staff sit and eat with
children and engage them in conversation.
3 D. X X X Teaching staff coach and support children as
08 they learn to participate in daily cleanup and
maintenance of the classroom.
3 D. X X X Teaching staff help children follow a predictable
09 but flexible daily routine by providing time and
support for transitions.
3 D. X X X Teachers organize time and space on a daily
10 basis to allow children to work or play
individually and
in pairs, to come together in small groups,
and to engage as a whole group.
3 D. X X X Teachers create opportunities for children to
11 engage in group projects and learn from one
another.

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NAEYC Classroom Observation Tool Page 21 of 35

# Notes of Evidence; Why Met or Not

** U I T P K Criterion
Met
3 D. X Adults sit and eat with children and engage
12 them in conversation at snack and meal
times. (This criterion is an Emerging
Practice.)
3 E. X X X X X Responding To Children’s Interests and Needs
3 E. X X X X X Teaching staff reorganize the environment
01 when necessary to help children explore new
concepts and topics, sustain their activities, and
extend their learning.
3 E. X X X X X Teachers scaffold children’s learning by
02 modifying the schedule,
intentionally arranging the equipment, and
making themselves available to children.
3 E. X X X X X Teachers use children’s interest in and curiosity
03 about the world to engage them with new
content and developmental skills.
3 E. X X X X X Teachers use their knowledge of individual
04 children to modify strategies and materials to
enhance children’s learning.
3 E. X Teachers use the needs and interests of infants
05 to influence schedules, routines, and learning
experiences.
3 E. X Infants who show interest or pleasure in an
06 activity are encouraged and supported in
prolonging that activity.
3 E. X Teaching staff actively seek to understand
07 infants’ needs and desires by recognizing and
responding to their nonverbal cues and by
using simple language.
3 E. X X X Teachers use their knowledge of children’s
08 social relationships, interests, ideas, and
skills to tailor learning opportunities for groups
and individuals.
3 E. X X X Throughout the day, teaching staff actively seek
09 out children’s ideas and discern how they
understand things by observing, talking
with, and listening to them.
3 F. X X X X X Making Learning Meaningful for All Children
3 F. X X X X X Play is planned for each day.
02

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NAEYC Classroom Observation Tool Page 22 of 35

# Notes of Evidence; Why Met or Not

** U I T P K Criterion
Met
3 F. X X X X X Teaching staff help children understand spoken
04 language, (particularly when children are
learning a new language), by using pictures,
familiar objects, body language, and
physical cues.
3 F. X X X X X Teaching staff support the development and
05 maintenance of children’s home language
whenever possible.
3 F. X X X Teaching staff use varied vocabulary and
07 engage in sustained conversations with children
about their experiences.
3 G. X X X X X Using Instruction to Deepen Children’s
Understanding and Build Their Skills and
Knowledge
3 G. X X X X X Teachers have and use a variety of teaching
01 strategies that include a broad range of
approaches and responses.
3 G. X X X X X Teachers use multiple sources (including
02 results of informal and formal assessments, as
well as children’s initiations, questions,
interests, and misunderstandings) to
identify what children have learned.
adapt curriculum and teaching to meet
children’s needs and interests.
foster children’s curiosity.
extend children’s engagement.
support self-initiated learning.
3 G. X X X X X As children learn and acquire new skills,
03 teachers use knowledge of children’s abilities
to fine-tune their teaching support.
Teachers adjust challenges as children gain
competence and understanding.
3 G. X X X X X Teaching staff help children enter into and
04 sustain play.
3 G. X X X X X Teachers support and challenge children’s
05 learning during interactions or activities that are
teacher initiated and child initiated.
3 G. X X X Teachers use their knowledge of content to
07 pose problems and ask questions that
stimulate children’s thinking.
Teachers help children express their ideas
and build on the meaning of their
experiences.

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NAEYC Classroom Observation Tool Page 23 of 35

# Notes of Evidence; Why Met or Not

** U I T P K Criterion
Met
3 G. X X X Teachers help children identify and use prior
08 knowledge.
They provide experiences that extend and
challenge children’s current understandings.
3 G. X X X Teachers engage in collaborative inquiry with
09 individual children and small groups of
children.
3 G. X X X Teaching staff join children in learning centers
10 to extend and deepen children’s learning. They
observe children.
engage children in conversations.
position themselves at eye level with the
children.
3 G. X X X Teachers are able to determine the different
11 components of a task and break it into
meaningful and achievable parts.
3 G. X X X Teachers promote children’s engagement and
12 learning by
responding to their need for and interest in
practicing emerging skills.
enhancing and expanding activities children
choose to engage in repeatedly.
3 G. X X Teachers promote children’s engagement and
13 learning by guiding them in acquiring specific
skills and explicitly teaching those skills.
3 G. X X Teachers demonstrate their knowledge of
14 content and developmental areas by creating
experiences that engage children in purposeful
and meaningful learning related to key
curriculum concepts.
4 X X X X X Observable Criteria for the Assessment
Standard
4 D. X X X X X Adapting Curriculum, Individualizing Teaching,
and Informing Program Development
4 D. X X X X X Teachers interact with children to assess their
03 strengths and needs to inform curriculum
development and individualize teaching.
4 D. X Teachers talk and interact with infants to assess
05 and encourage use of language (e.g., smiles,
sounds, eye contact, and cooing).
4 D. X Teachers observe infants to assess
06 development and use these observations to
modify the curriculum, interactions, and care.

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NAEYC Classroom Observation Tool Page 24 of 35

# Notes of Evidence; Why Met or Not

** U I T P K Criterion
Met
4 D. X X X Teachers talk and interact with individual
07 children and encourage their use of language to
inform assessment of children’s strengths,
interests, and needs.
5 X X X X X Observable Criteria for the Health Standard

5 A. X X X X X Promoting and Protecting Children’s Health and

Controlling Infectious Disease
5 A. X X X X X For children who are unable to use the toilet
08 consistently, the program makes sure that:
Staff use only commercially available
disposable diapers or pull-ups unless the
child has a medical reason that does not
permit their use (the health provider
documents the medical reason).
For children who require cloth diapers, the
diaper has an absorbent inner lining
completely contained within an outer
covering made of waterproof material that
prevents the escape of feces and urine. Both
the diaper and the outer covering are
changed as a unit.
Cloth diapers and clothing that are soiled by
urine or feces are immediately placed in a
plastic bag (without rinsing or avoidable
handling) and sent home that day for
laundering.
Staff check children for signs that diapers or
pull-ups are wet or contain feces (a) at least
every two hours when children are awake
and (b) when children awaken.
Diapers are changed when wet or soiled.
Staff change children’s diapers or soiled
underwear in the designated changing areas
and not elsewhere in the facility.
Each changing area is separated by a partial
wall or is located at least three feet from
other areas that children use and is used
exclusively for one designated group of
children. For kindergartners, the program
may use an underclothing changing area
designated for and used only by this age
group. (This indicator only is an Emerging
Practice.)
At all times, caregivers have a hand on the
child when the child is being changed on an
elevated surface.
In the changing area, staff post and follow
changing procedures.
Surfaces used for changing and on which
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NAEYC Classroom Observation Tool Page 25 of 35

# Notes of Evidence; Why Met or Not

** U I T P K Criterion
Met
changing materials are placed are not used
for other purposes, including temporary
placement of other objects, and especially
not for any object involved with food or
feeding.
Containers that hold soiled diapers and
diapering materials have a lid that opens
and closes tightly by using a hands-free
device (e.g., a step can).
Containers are kept closed and are not
accessible to children.
Staff members whose primary function is
preparing food do not change diapers until
their food preparation duties are completed
for the day.
5 A. X X X X X The program follows these practices regarding
09 hand washing:
Staff members and those children who are
developmentally able to learn personal
hygiene are taught hand-washing
procedures and are periodically monitored.
Hand washing is required by all staff,
volunteers, and children when hand washing
reduces the risk of transmission of infectious
diseases to themselves and to others.
Staff assist children with hand washing as
needed to successfully complete the task.
Children wash either independently or with
staff assistance.

Children and adults wash their hands

on arrival for the day;
after diapering or using the toilet (use of wet
wipes is acceptable for infants);
after handling body fluids (e.g., blowing or
wiping a nose, coughing on a hand, or
touching any mucus, blood or vomit);
before meals and snacks, preparing or
serving food, or after handling any raw food
that requires cooking (e.g., meat, eggs,
poultry);
after playing in water that is shared by two or
more people;
after handling pets and other animals or any
materials such as sand, dirt, or surfaces that
might be contaminated by contact with
animals; and
when moving from one group to another
(e.g., visiting) that involves contact with
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NAEYC Classroom Observation Tool Page 26 of 35

# Notes of Evidence; Why Met or Not

** U I T P K Criterion
Met
infants and toddlers/twos.

Adults also wash their hands

before and after feeding a child;
before and after administering medication;
after assisting a child with toileting; and
after handling garbage or cleaning.

Proper hand-washing procedures are followed

by adults and children and include
using liquid soap and running water;
rubbing hands vigorously for at least 10
seconds, including back of hands, wrists,
between fingers, under and around any
jewelry, and under fingernails; rinsing well;
drying hands with a paper towel, a single-
use towel, or a dryer; and avoiding touching
the faucet with just-washed hands (e.g., by
using a paper towel to turn off water.)

Except when handling blood or body fluids that

might contain blood (when wearing gloves is
required), wearing gloves is an optional
supplement, but not a substitute, for hand
washing in any required hand-washing situation
listed above.
Staff wear gloves when contamination with
blood may occur.
Staff do not use hand-washing sinks for
bathing children or removing smeared fecal
material.
In situations where sinks are used for both
food preparation and other purposes, staff
clean and sanitize the sinks before using
them to prepare food.
Note: The use of alcohol-based hand rubs in
lieu of hand washing is not recommended for
early education and child care settings. If used
as a temporary measure, a sufficient amount
must be used to keep the hands wet for 15
seconds. Because the alcohol-based hand rubs
are toxic and flammable, they must be stored
and used according to the manufacturer's
instructions.

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NAEYC Classroom Observation Tool Page 27 of 35

# Notes of Evidence; Why Met or Not

** U I T P K Criterion
Met
5 A. X X X X X Precautions are taken to ensure that communal
10 water play does not spread infectious disease.
No child drinks the water. Children with sores
on their hands are not permitted to participate in
communal water play. Fresh potable water is
used, and the water is changed before a new
group of children comes to participate in the
water play activity. When the activity period is
completed with each group of children, the
water is drained. Alternately, fresh potable
water flows freely through the water play table
and out through a drain in the table. (This
criterion is an Emerging Practice.)
5 A. X To reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death
12 Syndrome (SIDS):
Infants, unless otherwise ordered by a
physician, are placed on their backs to sleep
on a firm surface manufactured for sale as
infant sleeping equipment that meets the
standards of the United States Consumer
Product Safety Commission. (This indicator
is required of all programs serving
infants.)
Pillows, quilts, comforters, sheepskins,
stuffed toys, and other soft items are not
allowed in cribs or rest equipment for infants
younger than eight months.
If a blanket is used, the infant is placed at
the foot of the crib with a thin blanket tucked
around the crib mattress, reaching only as
far as the infant’s chest.
The infant’s head remains uncovered during
sleep.
After being placed down for sleep on their
backs, infants may then be allowed to assume
any comfortable sleep position when they can
easily turn themselves from the back position.
5 A. X X X X X After each feeding, infant’s teeth and gums are
13 wiped with a disposable tissue (or clean soft
cloth used only for one child and laundered
daily) to remove liquid that coats the teeth and
gums. (This criterion is an Emerging
Practice.)

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NAEYC Classroom Observation Tool Page 28 of 35

# Notes of Evidence; Why Met or Not

** U I T P K Criterion
Met
5 A. X X Infants unable to sit are held for bottle-
14 feeding. All others sit or are held to be fed.
Infants and toddlers/twos do not have bottles
while in a crib or bed and do not eat from
propped bottles at any time.
Toddlers/twos do not carry bottles, sippy
cups, or regular cups with them while
crawling or walking.
Teaching staff offer children fluids from a
cup as soon as the families and teachers
decide together that a child is
developmentally ready to use a cup.

5 A. X X X At least once daily in programs where children

16 receive two or more meals, teaching staff
provide children an opportunity for tooth
brushing and gum cleaning to remove food and
plaque. (Not applicable if fewer than two meals
are provided to children.)
5 B. X X X X X Ensuring Children’s Nutritional Well-Being

5 B. X X X X X Staff take steps to ensure the safety of food

02 brought from home:
They work with families to ensure that foods
brought from home meet the USDA’s
CACFP food guidelines.
All foods and beverages brought from home
are labeled with the child’s name and the
date.
Staff make sure that food requiring
refrigeration stays cold until served.
Food is provided to supplement food brought
from home if necessary.
Food that comes from home for sharing
among the children must be either whole
fruits or commercially prepared packaged
foods in factory-sealed containers. (This
indicator only is an Emerging Practice.)

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NAEYC Classroom Observation Tool Page 29 of 35

# Notes of Evidence; Why Met or Not

** U I T P K Criterion
Met
5 B. X Except for human milk, staff serve only
10 formula and infant food that comes to the
facility in factory-sealed containers (e.g.,
ready-to-feed powder or concentrate
formulas and baby food jars) prepared
according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
(This indicator only is an Emerging
Practice.)
Bottle feedings do not contain solid foods
unless the child’s health care provider
supplies written instructions and a medical
reason for this practice.
Staff discard after one hour any formula or
human milk that is served but not completely
consumed or is not refrigerated.
If staff warm formula or human milk, the milk
is warmed in water at no more than 120
degrees Fahrenheit for no more than five
minutes.
No milk, including human milk, and no other
infant foods are warmed in a microwave
oven.
5 B. X Teaching staff do not offer solid foods and
11 fruit juices to infants younger than six
months of age, unless that practice is
recommended by the child’s health care
provider and approved by families.
Sweetened beverages are avoided.
If juice (only 100 percent fruit juice is
recommended) is served, the amount is
limited to no more than four ounces per child
daily.
5 B. X Teaching staff who are familiar with the
12 infant feed him or her whenever the infant
seems hungry.
Feeding is not used in lieu of other forms of
comfort.

5 B. X X X Staff do not offer children younger than four

14 years these foods: hot dogs, whole or sliced
into rounds; whole grapes; nuts; popcorn; raw
peas and hard pretzels; spoonfuls of peanut
butter; or chunks of raw carrots or meat larger
than can be swallowed whole.
5 C. X X X X X Maintaining a Healthful Environment

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NAEYC Classroom Observation Tool Page 30 of 35

# Notes of Evidence; Why Met or Not

** U I T P K Criterion
Met
5 C. X X X X X Procedures for standard precautions are used
02 and include the following:
Surfaces that may come in contact with
potentially infectious body fluids must be
disposable or made of a material that can be
sanitized.
Staff use barriers and techniques that
minimize contact of mucous membranes or
of openings in skin with potentially infectious
body fluids and that reduce the spread of
infectious disease.
When spills of body fluids occur, staff clean
them up immediately with detergent followed
by water rinsing.
After cleaning, staff sanitize nonporous
surfaces by using the procedure for
sanitizing designated changing surfaces
described in the Cleaning and Sanitation
Frequency Table.
Staff clean rugs and carpeting by blotting,
spot cleaning with a detergent-disinfectant,
and shampooing or steam cleaning.
Staff dispose of contaminated materials and
diapers in a plastic bag with a secure tie that
is placed in a closed container.
5 C. X X X X X A toy that a child has placed in his or her mouth
03 or that is otherwise contaminated by body
secretion or excretion is either to be (a) washed
by hand using water and detergent, then rinsed,
sanitized, and air dried or (b) washed and dried
in a mechanical dishwasher before it can be
used by another child.

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NAEYC Classroom Observation Tool Page 31 of 35

# Notes of Evidence; Why Met or Not

** U I T P K Criterion
Met
5 C. X X X X X Classroom pets or visiting animals appear to
O be in good health
5 Pets or visiting animals have documentation
from a veterinarian or an animal shelter to
show that the animals are fully immunized (if
the animal should be so protected) and that
the animal is suitable for contact with
children.
Teaching staff supervise all interactions
between children and animals and instruct
children on safe behavior when in close
proximity to animals.
Program staff make sure that any child who
is allergic to a type of animal is not exposed
to that animal.
Reptiles are not allowed as classroom pets
because of the risk for salmonella infection.
6 X X X X X Observable Criteria for the Teachers
Standard
6 A. X X X X X Preparation, Knowledge, and Skills of Teaching
Staff
6 A. X X X X X When working with children, all teaching staff
02 demonstrate the ability to
interact with children without using physical
punishment or any form of psychological
abuse.
recognize health and safety hazards and
protect children from harm.
encourage and provide children with a
variety of opportunities for learning.
encourage and provide children with a
variety of social experiences.
adapt and respond to changing and
challenging conditions in ways that enhance
program quality.
communicate with children and families.
7 X X X X X Observable Criteria for the Families
Standard
7 A. X X X X X Knowing and Understanding the Program’s
Families
7 A. X X X X X The program works with families on shared
10 child caregiving issues, including routine
separations, special needs, the food being
served and consumed, and daily care issues.

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NAEYC Classroom Observation Tool Page 32 of 35

# Notes of Evidence; Why Met or Not

** U I T P K Criterion
Met
8 X X X X X No Observable Criteria for the Community
Relationships Standard
9 X X X X X Observable Criteria for the Physical
Environment Standard
9 A. X X X X X Indoor and Outdoor Equipment, Materials and
Furnishings
9 A. X X X X X Materials and equipment are available
08 to facilitate focused individual play or play
with peers.
in sufficient quantities to occupy every child
in activities that meet his or her interests.
9 A. X X X X X Program staff arrange the environment to be
09 welcoming and accessible. A welcoming and
accessible environment contains elements such
as
multicultural materials that promote
appreciation for diversity while being
respectful of the cultural traditions, values,
and beliefs of families being served;
clearly defined places where families can
gather information regarding the daily
schedule and upcoming events;
clearly defined places where families sign in,
sign out, and gather information about their
child’s day;
places for displaying children’s work; and
features that moderate visual and auditory
stimulation.
9 A. X X X X X Indoor space is designed and arranged to
12 accommodate children individually, in small
groups, and in a large group.
divide space into areas that are supplied
with materials organized in a manner to
support children’s play and learning.
provide semiprivate areas where children
can play or work alone or with a friend.
provide children with disabilities full access
(with adaptations as necessary) to the
curriculum and activities in the indoor space.
9 A. X X X X X Staff select and use materials, equipment, and
13 furnishings to
support the curriculum,
meet program goals, and
foster the achievement of desired outcomes
for children.
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NAEYC Classroom Observation Tool Page 33 of 35

# Notes of Evidence; Why Met or Not

** U I T P K Criterion
Met
9 B. X X X X X Outdoor Environmental Design
9 B. X X X X X Outdoor play areas, designed with equipment
01 that is age and developmentally appropriate
and that is located in clearly defined spaces
with semiprivate areas where children can play
alone or with a friend, accommodate
motor experiences, such as running,
climbing, balancing, riding, jumping,
crawling, scooting or swinging.
activities such as dramatic play, block
building, manipulative play, or art activities.
exploration of the natural environment,
including a variety of natural and
manufactured surfaces and areas with
natural materials such as nonpoisonous
plants, shrubs, and trees.
The program makes adaptations so
children with disabilities can fully participate
in the outdoor curriculum and activities.
9 C. X X X X X Building and Physical Design
9 C. X X X X X The routine frequency of cleaning and
06 sanitation in the facility is carried out as
indicated in the Cleaning and Sanitation
Frequency Table.
Staff clean and sanitize toilet seats, toilet
handles, toilet bowls, doorknobs, or cubicle
handles and floors either daily or
immediately if visibly soiled.
Staff clean and sanitize potty chairs, if in
use, after each child’s use.
9 C. X X X X X The building is well maintained:
07 Walls, floors, furnishings, the outdoor play
area, and equipment are kept in good repair
and are safe, with no sharp edges, splinters,
protruding or rusty nails, or missing parts.
All areas, both indoors and outdoors, are
free from glass, trash, sharp or hazardous
items, and visible soil, and are in a clean
condition.
Staff observe all areas of the facility, both
indoors and outdoors, and take steps to
correct or avoid unsafe conditions.

© National Association for the Education of Young Children, 2006. This form may be reproduced for use by programs seeking
or maintaining NAEYC Accreditation. All other rights reserved. www.naeyc.org 09/06
NAEYC Classroom Observation Tool Page 34 of 35

# Notes of Evidence; Why Met or Not

** U I T P K Criterion
Met
9 C. X X X X X Any body of water, including swimming pools,
12 built-in wading pools, ponds, and irrigation
ditches, is enclosed by a fence at least four feet
in height, with any gates childproofed to prevent
entry by unattended children. To prevent
drowning accidents, staff supervise all children
by sight and sound in all areas with access to
water in tubs, pails, and water tables.
10 X X X X X Observable Criteria for the Leadership &
Management Standard
10 B. X X X X X Management Policies and Procedures

10 B. X X X X X Policies prescribe that each group be assigned

11 teaching staff who have primary responsibility
for working with that group of children. These
teaching staff provide ongoing personal contact,
meaningful learning activities, supervision, and
immediate care as needed to protect children’s
well-being.
10 B. X X X X X Written procedures address the maintenance of
12 developmentally appropriate teaching staff-child
ratios within group size to facilitate adult-child
interaction and constructive activity among
children.
Teaching staff-child ratios within group size
(see table 1) are maintained during all hours of
operation, including:
indoor time
outdoor time
during transportation and field trips (when
transporting children, the teaching staff-child
ratio is used to guide the adult-child ratio).
Groups of children may be limited to one age or
may include multiple ages. (A group or
classroom consists of the children who are
assigned to a teacher or a team of teaching
staff for most of the day who occupy an
individual classroom or well-defined space that
prevents intermingling of children from different
groups within a larger room or area.)
10 B. X X X X X The program is organized and staffed to
13 minimize the number of group, teaching
staff, and classroom transitions experienced
by an individual child during the day and
program year. Every attempt is made to
maintain continuity of relationships between
teaching staff and children and among groups
of children.

© National Association for the Education of Young Children, 2006. This form may be reproduced for use by programs seeking
or maintaining NAEYC Accreditation. All other rights reserved. www.naeyc.org 09/06
NAEYC Classroom Observation Tool Page 35 of 35

© National Association for the Education of Young Children, 2006. This form may be reproduced for use by programs seeking
or maintaining NAEYC Accreditation. All other rights reserved. www.naeyc.org 09/06