What Else Should I Consider When Looking for a Safe Daycare Center for My Child?
Once you have gone through the preliminary work of downloading our free guide and conducting online research about local daycare centers and childcare options, follow these steps:
- Tour the Daycare Center: This is important, as it allows you to observe how the caregivers interact with the children and get a sense of the activities offered at the center for little ones. A tour also provides the opportunity to meet the director of the facility and the caregiver(s) who would oversee your child's class. If you get pushback on this request, the facility may not be the right place for your child.
- Look for Security Cameras: While security and surveillance cameras are not required by the state, we recommend choosing a facility that has a live video feed and recorded surveillance footage. By being able to observe their child in daycare, parents can feel secure with their child’s care and make sure the center is complying with Texas childcare laws. In the event your child is harmed at the center, evidence from recorded surveillance footage helps hold the negligent center and any relevant caregivers accountable.
- Confirm Class Sizes: Our experienced legal team has found that the improper supervision of little ones is among the top contributors to daycare and childcare injury incidents. That’s why it is important to confirm the daycare center’s maximum child-to-caregiver ratio complies with the state’s minimum standards so that the caregiver can have visual and auditory awareness of each child.
- Ask About the Center’s Caregiver Qualifications: It’s no secret that hiring caregivers is a challenge to many daycare centers right now. A safe facility should ensure its caregivers have completed annual training and are passionate about working with kids. In addition, all caregivers and staff members should have completed background checks before working at the daycare center.
- Learn About the Center’s Parental Communication Policies: Transparency is key at daycare and childcare centers, and that includes a center’s communication processes with parents and its visitation policies. In our experience, the safest daycare centers encourage parents to stop by whenever they want. These facilities also engage with parents daily via an activity tracking app or by providing daily schedules and activity sheets.
- Ensure the Daycare Center Is Licensed and Insured: Licensed daycare and childcare facilities are regulated by the state and required to maintain a safe environment and protect children from injuries by following strict minimum standards. Also, check to see that the daycare center is insured. When a daycare has an insurance policy that covers its liability, it reveals that the center and its director take the business and childcare safety regulations seriously.
- Call the Daycare Center: Pick up the phone and call the daycare center to get a feel for the overall atmosphere of the facility. Is the person answering the phone warm and friendly or are they cold? A phone call is also a great opportunity to ask any follow-up questions from your tour of the facility. It is a green flag if the staff member is knowledgeable about the center’s policies and safety procedures.
Get more insight into finding a safe daycare center by watching our video series here. If you still have questions about finding a safe daycare or childcare center for your little one, don’t hesitate to contact our experienced daycare and childcare injury lawyers at The Button Law Firm. Our goal is to help keep families and communities safer from the start. Call us at 214-699-4409 or email us at [email protected].
Was Your Child Hurt at a Daycare or Childcare Center? Contact The Button Law Firm.
If your child was physically or emotionally harmed or injured because of negligent practices at a daycare or childcare center anywhere in Texas, our team of experienced and compassionate daycare and childcare injury lawyers at The Button Law Firm can help. We’re dedicated to advocating for you and your family. We are ready to listen and fight for your family to get justice and 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. Get a free case evaluation by calling us at 214-699-4409, emailing us at [email protected], or filling out a contact form.