QR4 Implementation Instructions

High-quality programs plan experiences across developmental and learning domains so children can build important skills through a variety of engaging and meaningful activities. These skills support overall growth and development and school readiness skills.

What does documentation look like?

Your schedule or lesson plan will clearly show activities that support developmental domains such as social and personal, cognitive, language and physical. Activities will also represent learning domains such as science, language and literacy, mathematical thinking, and fine arts.

Activities are individualized when they are tailored to meet the developmental needs of each child to support their development and growth. Individualization can occur throughout the day in every routine and experience. For example, individualization might occur by providing specific materials or activities that support a child’s skill level during a group activity, or by offering different utensils during mealtime to promote fine motor skills.

High-quality child care programs recognize each child’s unique needs, interests, and abilities and provide learning experiences that foster growth and development. These programs support all children, including those with disabilities or special health care needs, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive.

View the video to discover a variety of examples of individualized activities in a daily schedule or lesson plan.

What does the documentation look like?

The documentation you submit must demonstrate an example of how you meet the needs of individual children and include these key ingredients:

• Activities that support each child’s social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development
• Activities that match the children’s individual developmental levels and needs
• Connections to a child’s Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) or Individualized Education Program (IEP) as appropriate

Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs) and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) provide guidance on ways to meet the needs of individual children with special needs. Remember you are a critical member of the team that helps put these plans in action. Your daily schedule or lesson plan is evidence of the important role you play in supporting a child’s progress toward the goals outlined in these documents.

View the video to learn how to document activities informed by a child’s IFSP/IEP to meet the requirement.

Providing different learning experiences allow children to engage and learn in a variety of ways throughout the day. Whole-group activities help build a sense of community, small groups support collaboration and focused learning, and individual experiences let children explore at their own pace while supporting their unique interests and strengths.

What does documentation look like?

Your lesson plan or daily schedule will clearly show times when children learn together as a whole group, such as a morning meeting or physical activity. It will also include small-group activities, like teacher-led learning time or play with peers chosen by the child. Children will have opportunities to explore their own interests through free play and self-directed activities.

Transitions give children time to finish one activity before moving to the next. Clear routines and cues help children prepare for and smoothly move to another activity.

What does documentation look like?

Your lesson plan or daily schedule will show that between activities there is time for children to successfully transition from one activity to another. A lesson plan may include transition activities, such as a clean-up routine or a song used to help children line up for the next activity. A schedule may include planned transition times to help children move smoothly between activities.

Providing dedicated time each day for literacy and reading helps children build language, communication, and early learning skills needed for future success. By embedding these activities and experiences throughout the daily schedule, child care providers create meaningful opportunities for children to develop their vocabulary and comprehension.

What does documentation look like?

Your daily schedule and lesson plan will clearly show opportunities for literacy and reading throughout the day and through a variety of play-based and structured activities. Examples may include:

• Circle time (Reading, songs, calendar)
• Small group time – Letter identification, picture-word matching
• Center/choice time – library/book corner, writing center, dramatic play (menus, signs, labels, shopping lists)
• Transition time – songs, chants