Congregations Caring for Children

Standards for Quality School Age Care

Standards for Quality School Age Care

Standards for Quality School Age Care

Standards for Quality School Age Care

Standards for Quality School Age Care

The National School Age Care Alliance (NSACA) Standards describe the prac 

tices that lead to stimulating, safe, and supportive programs for young people

ages 5 to 14 in their out of school time.

These  Standards at a Glance  give you an overview of the standards which are

organized into 36  keys  to quality.  The first 21 keys are things that you can see

happening in a program.  The other 16  Administration  keys describe the poli 

cies and  behind the scenes  practices that are the foundation of a quality pro 

gram.

Human Relationships

Staff give children many chances to

choose what they will do, how they

1. Staff relate to all children and youth

will do it, and with whom.

in positive ways.

Staff help children make informed

and responsible choices.

Staff treat children with respect and

listen to what they say.

4. Staff interact with children and

Staff make children feel welcome

youth to help them learn.

and comfortable.

Staff respond to children with

Staff ask questions that encourage

acceptance and appreciation.

children to think for themselves.

Staff are engaged with children.

Staff share skills and resources to

help children gain information and

2. Staff respond appropriately to indi 

solve problems.

vidual needs of children and youth.

Staff vary the approaches they use

to help children learn.

Staff know that each child has

Staff help children use language

special interests and talents

skills through frequent conversations.

Staff recognize the range of

children's abilities.

5. Staff use positive techniques to guide

Staff can relate to a child's cultural

the behavior of children and youth.

style & primary language.

Staff respond to the range of

Staff give attention to children

children's feelings and temperaments.

when they cooperate, share, care for

materials, or join in activities.

3. Staff encourage children and youth

Staff set appropriate limits for

to make choices and to become more

children.

responsible.

Staff use no harsh discipline meth 

ods.

Staff offer assistance in a way that

Staff encourage children to resolve

supports a child's initiative.

their own conflicts. Staff step in only if

Staff assist children without taking

needed to discuss the issues and work

control, and they encourage children to

out a solution.

take leadership roles.

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