When you go into a daycare facility, take a look around to get an idea of their security measures. You should ask about this, too, but you can get an idea of how involved they are by taking a quick look around and seeing what you find. Here are three things you should see in every daycare facility worth its prices.
1. Security Cameras
Security cameras are inexpensive and do a lot to increase security. The monitors may not be visible at the desk, but you should see them hanging in the lobby and in the areas where children are accommodated. If you don’t see them, go ahead and ask. They may have a security system that’s designed to be less intrusive. Some cameras are deliberately hidden just to make the facility look nicer.
2. Sign-in Sheets
You should be asked for an ID and to sign in when you arrive at the facility. This is the simplest way to keep security up to par, but it’s also very effective. If no one asks you who you are and why you’re there and you can just walk right into the childcare area, it is a definite problem.
3. Locked Front Doors
The best security is to have a front door that is always locked to entrance. This prohibits anyone from coming in without a staff member letting them in. Some facilities have inner doors that lock but the best system of all is to have the very first door to the facility set to a default locked position. Some facilities will have a set up where you are identified by someone at a desk and “buzzed” in.
Good security makes safe facilities. Remember that anyone who has access to the children is a potential threat and, because of that, the people that actually do have access to the children have to be known and have to be let in in a controlled fashion.
Not controlling access and causing a child to come to harm is most certainly something that can be construed as daycare negligence. Talk to a daycare abuse attorney about such cases and see if they’re willing to take you on as a client. If they feel that you have a good case, they may be able to win you compensation in a court or get a settlement out of the company responsible for the negligence.