DCF EXAM - CHILD CARE Behavioral Observation and
Screening (BOSR) 2026/2027| FREQUENTLY TESTED
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS | BRAND NEW!
why observe and screen? - ANSWER--to facilitate the growth and development of every
child in their program
-detect early signs of developmental delay or disability
-identify signs of child abuse or neglect
(easy definition is using certain methods to pay attention to the behavior and
development of children under care)
*O and S also used to:
-support quality curriculum development
-help parents support growth and development at home
-allow timely referral for early intervention services
-provide a common reference point and basis for interaction between parents,
program staff, and other professionals
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-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 and provide a basis for referral
,under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), child care professionals
should interact with others who are helping a child with disabilities through a team
approach. Offer to: - ANSWER--share results of your observation and screening sessions
(with parental permission)
-provide expertise related to the child's activities at the program
-be on the child's intervention team
-ask how you can help them improve outcomes by sharing your knowledge about the
child's skills and abilities
helping victims of abuse or neglect - ANSWER--observe and screen them
-conduct sessions regularly
-watch for signs and changes
-document professionally and immediately
-be familiar with the Florida Abuse Hotline
-be aware that abused/neglected children may avoid unfamiliar people or activities
-pay attention to what they are saying and doing, and help them process situations that
are making them uneasy
-be aware that some developmental delays or disabilities can mimic the signs of abuse
or neglect (ex: children with autism may bang their heads, leaving bruises; children
with motor development impairments may fall easily and have abrasions or
lacerations; child with cognitive impairment might be overly or inappropriately
affectionate); discerning between these are to screen children often and know what is
typical for each individual
when the results of screening and observation sessions suggest assessment or
evaluation might benefit the child, meet with the child's parents and apply these best
,practices: - ANSWER--prepare carefully for the meeting
-begin the meeting with a brief overview
-present a blank sample of the specific tool or tools that were used
-present the child's results in writing
-be an active listener
-keep the meeting positive
-talk about the program's role
-make an appropriate referral and provide information
-supply appropriate information, resources, and support to the child's family which
continuing to provide individualized care
sharing results best practice #1 (prepare carefully for the meeting) includes: -
ANSWER--schedule a specific time to discuss results
-set up a face to face meeting to provide the results as soon as possible
-hold the meeting where you can maintain confidentiality
-gather copies of the key documents
-just before the meeting, review the materials
-reflect on what you need to say and the best way to say it
proactive - ANSWER-means to address concerns or problems
sharing results best practice #2 (begin the meeting with a brief overview) includes: -
ANSWER--define the terms observation and screening
-state that these are routine processes in quality programs
, -explain why the program observes and screens enrolled children
-talk about when and how the program conducts observation and screening sessions
-describe how the program uses the information to help children
-respond to questions
sharing results best practice #3 (present a blank sample of the specific tool or tools that
were used ) includes: - ANSWER--explain the tool, the skill areas it addressed, and its
scoring system
-clarify that the instrument is not an intelligence test, nor is it an assessment or an
evaluation tool
-describe when and how the tool was used with the child
sharing results best practice #4 (present the child's results in writing) includes: -
ANSWER--emphasize the child's current strengths and skills
-explain areas in which the child might benefit from classroom interventions or further
assessment
-tell parents that the results of screening tools used by only one screener cannot be
used to determine the status of a child's development
-relate your desire and willingness to assist and collaborate with the parents in deciding
how to proceed
sharing results best practice #5 (be an active listener) includes: - ANSWER--listen very
closely to what parents say
-think before responding
-ensure everyone has a chance to speak without interruption
-ask respectful questions
Screening (BOSR) 2026/2027| FREQUENTLY TESTED
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS | BRAND NEW!
why observe and screen? - ANSWER--to facilitate the growth and development of every
child in their program
-detect early signs of developmental delay or disability
-identify signs of child abuse or neglect
(easy definition is using certain methods to pay attention to the behavior and
development of children under care)
*O and S also used to:
-support quality curriculum development
-help parents support growth and development at home
-allow timely referral for early intervention services
-provide a common reference point and basis for interaction between parents,
program staff, and other professionals
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-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 and provide a basis for referral
,under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), child care professionals
should interact with others who are helping a child with disabilities through a team
approach. Offer to: - ANSWER--share results of your observation and screening sessions
(with parental permission)
-provide expertise related to the child's activities at the program
-be on the child's intervention team
-ask how you can help them improve outcomes by sharing your knowledge about the
child's skills and abilities
helping victims of abuse or neglect - ANSWER--observe and screen them
-conduct sessions regularly
-watch for signs and changes
-document professionally and immediately
-be familiar with the Florida Abuse Hotline
-be aware that abused/neglected children may avoid unfamiliar people or activities
-pay attention to what they are saying and doing, and help them process situations that
are making them uneasy
-be aware that some developmental delays or disabilities can mimic the signs of abuse
or neglect (ex: children with autism may bang their heads, leaving bruises; children
with motor development impairments may fall easily and have abrasions or
lacerations; child with cognitive impairment might be overly or inappropriately
affectionate); discerning between these are to screen children often and know what is
typical for each individual
when the results of screening and observation sessions suggest assessment or
evaluation might benefit the child, meet with the child's parents and apply these best
,practices: - ANSWER--prepare carefully for the meeting
-begin the meeting with a brief overview
-present a blank sample of the specific tool or tools that were used
-present the child's results in writing
-be an active listener
-keep the meeting positive
-talk about the program's role
-make an appropriate referral and provide information
-supply appropriate information, resources, and support to the child's family which
continuing to provide individualized care
sharing results best practice #1 (prepare carefully for the meeting) includes: -
ANSWER--schedule a specific time to discuss results
-set up a face to face meeting to provide the results as soon as possible
-hold the meeting where you can maintain confidentiality
-gather copies of the key documents
-just before the meeting, review the materials
-reflect on what you need to say and the best way to say it
proactive - ANSWER-means to address concerns or problems
sharing results best practice #2 (begin the meeting with a brief overview) includes: -
ANSWER--define the terms observation and screening
-state that these are routine processes in quality programs
, -explain why the program observes and screens enrolled children
-talk about when and how the program conducts observation and screening sessions
-describe how the program uses the information to help children
-respond to questions
sharing results best practice #3 (present a blank sample of the specific tool or tools that
were used ) includes: - ANSWER--explain the tool, the skill areas it addressed, and its
scoring system
-clarify that the instrument is not an intelligence test, nor is it an assessment or an
evaluation tool
-describe when and how the tool was used with the child
sharing results best practice #4 (present the child's results in writing) includes: -
ANSWER--emphasize the child's current strengths and skills
-explain areas in which the child might benefit from classroom interventions or further
assessment
-tell parents that the results of screening tools used by only one screener cannot be
used to determine the status of a child's development
-relate your desire and willingness to assist and collaborate with the parents in deciding
how to proceed
sharing results best practice #5 (be an active listener) includes: - ANSWER--listen very
closely to what parents say
-think before responding
-ensure everyone has a chance to speak without interruption
-ask respectful questions
