1. Staff relate to all children and youth in positive ways.
a) Staff treat children with respect and listen to what they say.
b) Staff make children feel welcome and comfortable.
c) Staff respond to children with acceptance and appreciation.
d) Staff are engaged with children.
2. Staff respond appropriately to the individual needs of children and youth.
d) Staff respond to the range of children's feelings and temperaments.
3. Staff encourage children and youth to make choices and to become more responsible.
a) Staff offer assistance in a way that supports a child's initiative.
b) Staff assist children without taking control, and they encourage children to take leadership roles.
c) Staff give children many chances to choose what they will do, how they will do it, and with whom.
d) Staff help children make informed and responsible choices.
4. Staff interact with children and youth to help them learn.
a) Staff ask questions that encourage children to think for themselves.
b) Staff share skills and resources to help children gain information and solve problems.
c) Staff vary the approaches they use to help children learn.
d) Staff help children use language skills through frequent conversations.
5. Staff use positive techniques to guide the behavior of children and youth.
a) Staff give attention to children when they cooperate, share, care for materials, or join in activities.
b) Staff set appropriate limits for children.
6. Children and youth generally interact with one another in positive ways.
a) Children appear relaxed and involved with each other.
b) Children show respect for each other.
c) Children usually cooperate and work well together.
9. The program's indoor space meets the needs of children and youth.
b) The space is arranged well for a range of activities: physical games and sports, creative arts, dramatic play, quiet games, enrichment offerings, eating, and socializing.
10. The indoor space allows children and youth to take initiative and explore their interests.
a) Children can get materials out and put them away by themselves with ease.
b) Children can arrange materials and equipment to suit their activities.
Activities
12. The daily schedule is flexible, and it offers enough security, independence, and stimulation to meet the needs of all children and youth.
a) The routine provides stability without being rigid.
b) Children meet their physical needs in a relaxed way.
c) Individual children move smoothly from one activity to another, usually at their own pace.
13. Children and youth can choose from a wide variety of activities.
c) There are regular opportunities for quiet activities and socializing.
d) Children have a chance to join enrichment activities that promote basic skills and higher-level thinking.
20. The program serves foods and drinks that meet the needs of children and youth.
a) The program serves healthy foods.
b) Drinking water is readily available at all times.
c) The amount and type of food offered is appropriate for the ages and sizes of children.
d) Snacks and meals are timed appropriately for children.
The complete list of NAA standards can be found here.
