A good daycare facility is something just about every parent is always on the lookout for. Stories about daycare neglect and outright abuse have made parents more selective. There are signs that you can look for which indicate a facility is very professional and that it is likely a good choice. There is no one sure sign of a good facility, however, and you have to take your own instincts and experience into consideration.
Starting with the people who work at the facility, the following things should be true of them:
They are certified in their particular job.
Providing daycare services is not the same as raising children in your own home. It requires that you’re trained to deal with the needs of many children, not just your own. This is why there are so many certifications involved in becoming a licensed daycare worker. Make sure that your daycare facility has licensing for every type of service they provide. It’s one of the best ways to avoid becoming a victim of daycare abuse.
They have been thoroughly background checked.
Any competent facility background checks every single person who works for them. This doesn’t just mean running background checks on the caregivers themselves. Background checks also need to be run on the bus drivers, groundskeepers, maintenance people and anyone else employed at the facility. If these checks aren’t run, look somewhere else for a daycare provider.
They are adequately staffed.
Any daycare facility needs to ensure that there is enough staff to care for the amount of children that they take in. When you’re at the facility, take a look around to make sure that none of the staff seem like they have too much on their hands and that all of the children are getting plenty of attention. This is a sign of a facility that takes its work very seriously.
Remember that these people will be taking care of your children for long stretches of time. Think about whether or not your child will like them, and use that as another indicator of whether the workers are good at their jobs.
The facility itself should have some characteristics that tend to discourage daycare abuse and neglect.
- Access should be strictly controlled.
- Sign in sheets should be used.
- Parents should be welcome at the facility whenever their child is there.
- The head of the facility should be very experienced with childcare.
Providing childcare at a professional level is something that requires those involved to be passionate about what they do and compassionate toward the children they care for. Make sure that the facility you hire is staffed by such people. There is no need to settle for a facility that doesn’t offer such service, as there are plenty of very professional, top-notch facilities out there looking for new customers right now.
If your daycare has gotten in hot water for abuse or negligence and you’ve been affected, consider contacting an attorney. A daycare abuse lawyer will be able to take a look at the situation and determine if you may be entitled to financial compensation. This may involve going to a jury trial. It may also simply involve receiving a settlement from the daycare facility itself. In any regard, there is a limitation on the amount of time you have to file such a case, so be sure to check with an attorney as soon as possible.