Daycare Walkthrough Guide: Spotting Hazards and Red Flags

The Top 6 Things to Observe on a Daycare Tour or Visit

As you tour or visit a daycare center, we encourage you to look for the following indicators that a daycare center may have unsafe conditions.  

1. Are the Toys in the Classroom Age-Appropriate and Safe? Per the minimum standards, toys and learning materials in each daycare classroom should correspond to the ages of the children enrolled. For example, a toddler classroom should not have any toys with small parts that could be choking hazards. In addition, toys should be in good condition without any broken parts. (Our daycare injury lawyers helped a family get justice when a toddler swallowed a magnet from a broken toy that was not immediately thrown away.)
2. Does the Daycare Center Look and Smell Clean? It is no secret that children easily spread germs, so it is vital that daycare centers properly clean classrooms, common areas, and other spaces around the center. This includes using the proper cleaning solutions and ensuring that floors are thoroughly dry so little ones cannot slip and fall. In addition, notice that daycare centers with kitchens are practicing good hygiene, such as requiring caregivers wash their hands before prepping meals or snacks. While cleanliness is important, caregivers should not be so distracted by cleaning that they’re unable to supervise the children in their classroom. If you see this on a tour, that is a red flag.
3. In Classrooms, Can Kids and Caregivers Move Freely? When classrooms at a daycare center are cluttered and disorganized, children can trip and suffer a severe fall injury. Walkways should always be clear of large objects, electrical cords, and other hazards. This is also important during naptimes, when daycare centers lay out cots or nap mats for kids to rest. We recently helped a family get justice in a case involving a daycare center that haphazardly laid out nap cots, which caused a child to be permanently disfigured when she fell and hit her head trying to step over cots while returning to her spot after using the bathroom.
4. Are the Playgrounds and Outdoor Spaces Properly Secured and Well Maintained? Playgrounds are fun spots for little ones to play during the day, but children can be seriously hurt if they are not properly maintained. The minimum standards require daycare centers to conduct frequent checks of their premises and address any current or potential hazards. On a playground, this includes making sure all fences are secure and locked so children cannot get out and wander away. (You would be shocked at how many daycare wandering cases we have worked on.) Also, the playground equipment should be in good condition without any sharp edges that could sever little fingers, or rusty or loose bolts that could cause equipment to break while a child is playing.
5. Are the Classroom Doors and Any Exterior Doors Locked and Monitored? All exterior doors at a daycare center should be locked and equipped with alarms so children or unknown adults cannot leave unnoticed. In addition, the center should have a secure process for signing children in and out to ensure they do not leave with a stranger. (Sadly, this has happened—a negligent daycare center handed a toddler to a stranger.)
6. Does the Daycare Center Use Security Cameras? While the minimum standards do not require daycare centers to use security cameras, these devices can give parents peace of mind. And, if an incident involving your child happens, surveillance footage can help identify the facts around the situation, such as how your child’s injury happened and what safety deficiencies caused it.

What Should You Do If You Notice Red Flags on a Daycare Tour or Visit?

If you notice any red flags or safety deficiencies on a daycare tour, we recommend that you continue your search to find a safe daycare center for your child. Explore more of our articles containing tips on how to find a safe center that follows the minimum standards here.

However, if your child is already enrolled at the daycare center, you should bring up the red flags you observed with the daycare director. In your conversation, share what you witnessed and ask how he or she plans to address the hazard. It is also important to ask about when the hazard will be handled. For example, if you see there is a gap in the playground fence and the director says they will fix it, ask when they expect to have that repair completed and how they plan to protect the kids from that hazard in the meantime. If the director is defensive during your conversation or you are not satisfied with their response, we advise placing your child in another center before they are harmed or seriously injured. 

Was Your Child Injured at a Daycare Center? Contact The Button Law Firm.

If your child was seriously injured or harmed at a daycare center anywhere in Texas, contact our experienced Texas daycare injury lawyers at The Button Law Firm. With lawyers in Dallas, Houston, and Midland, we are ready to listen, fight for your family, and help your family move forward. Our lawyers at The Button Law Firm are recognized on the prestigious Texas Super Lawyers list, and we can help guide you after a traumatizing incident involving your child. We work on contingency, meaning we don’t charge you or collect any upfront fees to get started on your case. Call us at 214-699-4409, email us at [email protected], or fill out a contact form for a free case evaluation.