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DCF CHILD CARE 40 HOUR CERTIFICATION
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2025
Why do childcare professionals observe and screen
children? - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔So they can facilitate
the growth and development of every child in their
program, detect early signs of development, delay or
disability, and identify signs of child abuse or neglect.
Observation - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔an ongoing process
in which child care professionals recognize and
document identifiable developmental milestones as they
appear using tools such as checklists, anecdotal records,
and running records
Screening - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔is an ongoing process
in which child care professionals use specialized
observation and documentation tools to identify,
document, and monitor typical development or possible
developmental delay
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Developmental milestones - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔are
observable behaviors, traits, skills, or abilities that
typically appear at specific age ranges
3 main reasons child care programs observe and screen
children are to: - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔-foster growth
and development
- detect early signs of delay
-identify signs of child abuse or neglect
Early intervention - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔a system of
services that helps children who have a developmental
disability or delay
Atypical - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔same as not typical or
not expected
Mandatory Reporters - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔people
that must identify themselves and must report suspected
abuse or neglect
Documented evidence - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔written
data collected by the program
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Observation session - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔trained adult
monitors a child as they demonstrate identified skills or
abilities within a developmental domain, in their natural
environment
Developmental Domain - ...ANSWER... ✔
✔Characterize children's skills and abilties
-Physical Health and Motor Development
-Cognitive Development and General Knowledge
-Language and Communication
-Social and Emotional
-Approaches to learning
Natural Environment - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔places the
child would typically be such as home, the child care
program, school, rather than a directors office or
doctors office.
Developmentally Appropriate Practice - ...ANSWER...
✔ ✔research based framework based on meeting
children where they are individually, chronologically,
and culturally
, 4|Page
Individualized Care - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔attention
paid to a child that recognizes and adapts to his or her
unique character and physical emotional, and cognitive
traits.
Screening Session - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔Trained adults
identify and measure specific skills and abilities as
indicated by a screening instrument
Screening takes place - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔recurrently
using an instrument that is proven to be valid, accurate.,
and reliable
Family members involvement in screening - ...ANSWER...
✔ ✔May be active or passive, but always involved
Benefits of Screening - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔-identify
specific areas of concern
-determine if assessment or evaluation may be
necessary
-basis for referral
-give info to parents to make decisions
-open ongoing communication with parents and others
DCF CHILD CARE 40 HOUR CERTIFICATION
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2025
Why do childcare professionals observe and screen
children? - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔So they can facilitate
the growth and development of every child in their
program, detect early signs of development, delay or
disability, and identify signs of child abuse or neglect.
Observation - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔an ongoing process
in which child care professionals recognize and
document identifiable developmental milestones as they
appear using tools such as checklists, anecdotal records,
and running records
Screening - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔is an ongoing process
in which child care professionals use specialized
observation and documentation tools to identify,
document, and monitor typical development or possible
developmental delay
,2|Page
Developmental milestones - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔are
observable behaviors, traits, skills, or abilities that
typically appear at specific age ranges
3 main reasons child care programs observe and screen
children are to: - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔-foster growth
and development
- detect early signs of delay
-identify signs of child abuse or neglect
Early intervention - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔a system of
services that helps children who have a developmental
disability or delay
Atypical - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔same as not typical or
not expected
Mandatory Reporters - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔people
that must identify themselves and must report suspected
abuse or neglect
Documented evidence - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔written
data collected by the program
,3|Page
Observation session - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔trained adult
monitors a child as they demonstrate identified skills or
abilities within a developmental domain, in their natural
environment
Developmental Domain - ...ANSWER... ✔
✔Characterize children's skills and abilties
-Physical Health and Motor Development
-Cognitive Development and General Knowledge
-Language and Communication
-Social and Emotional
-Approaches to learning
Natural Environment - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔places the
child would typically be such as home, the child care
program, school, rather than a directors office or
doctors office.
Developmentally Appropriate Practice - ...ANSWER...
✔ ✔research based framework based on meeting
children where they are individually, chronologically,
and culturally
, 4|Page
Individualized Care - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔attention
paid to a child that recognizes and adapts to his or her
unique character and physical emotional, and cognitive
traits.
Screening Session - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔Trained adults
identify and measure specific skills and abilities as
indicated by a screening instrument
Screening takes place - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔recurrently
using an instrument that is proven to be valid, accurate.,
and reliable
Family members involvement in screening - ...ANSWER...
✔ ✔May be active or passive, but always involved
Benefits of Screening - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔-identify
specific areas of concern
-determine if assessment or evaluation may be
necessary
-basis for referral
-give info to parents to make decisions
-open ongoing communication with parents and others
