In the United States, about 23.4% of children under the age of five receive childcare from someone other than a parent. Most parents work outside the home and must rely on daycare centers or other programs to look after their children with care as the parents would. Leaving your child with a group of professional caregivers should be an easy transition, and one would expect nothing but the best quality care for their child. The shocking truth, however, is that there are many incidents of daycare abuse and neglect that happen often. We simply trust that these paid professionals would be an extension of parents and would pay attention to detail as if it were a life and death situation. In fact, that is exactly what it is, and various cases are showing an ever-so-increasing number of child fatalities in daycare at the very own hands of the staff we are trusting with our child's life. Are we asking too much from these daycare centers? Is it too much to expect to get your child back in the same condition they were received? This is mind-boggling, and one should be asking, who’s really minding the children?
What Are Some of the Common Types of Negligence Seen in Dallas/Fort Worth Daycares?
Injuries to children at daycare centers are usually caused by the following:
- Lack of proper supervision
- Incompetent childcare staff
- Insufficient childcare staff-to-child ratio
- Staff lacking first aid skills
- Playground accidents
- Hazardous or unsafe facilities
- Injuries from defective or toxic toys
- Injuries caused by other children
Daycare centers and their employees have a delicate job to attend to and they are held to a different level of expectation. When they fail to meet such a standard of care, they are acting negligently and should be legally accountable for such negligence.
In Texas, the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) designed the Minimum Standards for Child-Care Centers. Daycare centers are required to follow at least these “minimum standards” in order to mitigate risks for children and to establish a safe setting that is conducive to children’s learning, health, and well-being. These childcare minimum standards set staff-child ratios and training requirements for childcare facilities. Research shows that appropriate ratios and group sizes are critical in promoting optimum child development.
What to Look Out for Before Sending Your Kids to Daycare
If you or a loved one sends your children to daycare, make sure the facility implements adequate safety training and protocols for the kids in their care. Inspect the daycare facility, and review its policies to ensure it meets all appropriate safety guidelines. Specifically, a daycare center should maintain the following:
- Appropriate child-to-caregiver ratio
- Storage and safety precautions for chemicals, cleaners, medications, and small objects that can be swallowed
- Properly maintained building and grounds area
- Properly following all mandated state childcare laws
Furthermore, make sure to ask them about what their top five priorities are for caring for the child and run for the exits if one of the five does not mention the importance of keeping all children safe and well observed. It is also crucial to be aware if the daycare center is exceeding the prescribed minimum standards allowed for daycare centers. Following this helpful guide is the parent's duty to better ensure that their children will have the proper care they need.
Want to Learn More About What to Do if Your Child Was Injured at a Dallas Daycare?
If you or a loved one has had a child that was injured or killed as a result of negligence by a Texas daycare facility, reach out to us at 214-699-4409, so that we can be that shoulder you can lean on. More importantly, we want to help you to take action and get you the compensation you deserve. Our daycare negligence team is ready to handle all your needs and answer any questions you may have. When your child is hurt or worse, the last thing you want to do is deal with the legal side. Let us guide you through this process so you can focus and attend to your family in this difficult time.
