1 | Page
FL DCF Child Care Behavioral
Observation and Screening (BOSR)
Questions and Answers Latest 2026
Child care professionals observe and screen children so
they can Ans: 1. Facilitate the growth and development of
every child in their program,
2. Detect early signs of developmental delay or disability,
3. Identify signs of child abuse or neglect.
Observation and screening describe Ans: how early
childhood professionals use certain methods to help
them pay attention to the behavior and development of
children under their care.
Observation Ans: is 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 Ans: 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.
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
The three main reasons child care programs observe and
screen children are to Ans: 1. To foster growth and
development in every child,
2. Detect early signs of developmental delay or disability,
and
3. Identify signs of child abuse and neglect.
These processes are also used to support Ans: -quality
curriculum development;
-help parents support growth and development at home; -
allow timely referral for early intervention services; and -
provide a common reference point and basis for
interaction between parents, program staff, and other
professionals.
Observation and screening foster growth and
development in every child by Ans: determining the
child's developmental-age level and by using the
information obtained from observation and screening to
develop inside and outside learning spaces, personal care
routines, communication and interaction practices,
learning activities, and program policies and procedures.
Observation and screening can detect early signs of
developmental delay or disability when Ans: child care
staff members are trained to identify and document signs
of typical or atypical growth and development. Since staff
members see children throughout the day and have
training in child growth and development, they may be in
the best position to spot the earliest signs of atypical
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 3 | Page
development. Therefore, staff may be in the best position
to help the child and family.
Child care personnel should not Ans: attempt to
diagnose delay or disability. Instead, they should
document typical and atypical patterns of development
and take appropriate action as defined by their program's
written policies and procedures.
Observation and screening can help child care
professionals identify the signs of child abuse and
neglect by Ans: reporting any suspected abuse or neglect
and can do so anonymously. However, people who work
with children are required by law to identify themselves
when they report suspected child abuse or neglect.
Failure to report suspected abuse or neglect is a felony of
the third degree in Florida.
Observation and screening support quality curriculum
development by Ans: focusing learning goals and
objectives, lesson plans, and teaching strategies on the
development and implementation of activities that
strengthen the child's skills. The best child care
professionals can recognize what each child knows and
can do, and uses this information to help increase skills,
abilities, and knowledge.
Observation and screening can help parents support their
child's growth and development at home by Ans:
increasing the volume and quality of information
available to them. When quality information is combined
with the professional services provided by a child care
© 2025 All rights reserved
FL DCF Child Care Behavioral
Observation and Screening (BOSR)
Questions and Answers Latest 2026
Child care professionals observe and screen children so
they can Ans: 1. Facilitate the growth and development of
every child in their program,
2. Detect early signs of developmental delay or disability,
3. Identify signs of child abuse or neglect.
Observation and screening describe Ans: how early
childhood professionals use certain methods to help
them pay attention to the behavior and development of
children under their care.
Observation Ans: is 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 Ans: 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.
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
The three main reasons child care programs observe and
screen children are to Ans: 1. To foster growth and
development in every child,
2. Detect early signs of developmental delay or disability,
and
3. Identify signs of child abuse and neglect.
These processes are also used to support Ans: -quality
curriculum development;
-help parents support growth and development at home; -
allow timely referral for early intervention services; and -
provide a common reference point and basis for
interaction between parents, program staff, and other
professionals.
Observation and screening foster growth and
development in every child by Ans: determining the
child's developmental-age level and by using the
information obtained from observation and screening to
develop inside and outside learning spaces, personal care
routines, communication and interaction practices,
learning activities, and program policies and procedures.
Observation and screening can detect early signs of
developmental delay or disability when Ans: child care
staff members are trained to identify and document signs
of typical or atypical growth and development. Since staff
members see children throughout the day and have
training in child growth and development, they may be in
the best position to spot the earliest signs of atypical
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 3 | Page
development. Therefore, staff may be in the best position
to help the child and family.
Child care personnel should not Ans: attempt to
diagnose delay or disability. Instead, they should
document typical and atypical patterns of development
and take appropriate action as defined by their program's
written policies and procedures.
Observation and screening can help child care
professionals identify the signs of child abuse and
neglect by Ans: reporting any suspected abuse or neglect
and can do so anonymously. However, people who work
with children are required by law to identify themselves
when they report suspected child abuse or neglect.
Failure to report suspected abuse or neglect is a felony of
the third degree in Florida.
Observation and screening support quality curriculum
development by Ans: focusing learning goals and
objectives, lesson plans, and teaching strategies on the
development and implementation of activities that
strengthen the child's skills. The best child care
professionals can recognize what each child knows and
can do, and uses this information to help increase skills,
abilities, and knowledge.
Observation and screening can help parents support their
child's growth and development at home by Ans:
increasing the volume and quality of information
available to them. When quality information is combined
with the professional services provided by a child care
© 2025 All rights reserved
