How Often Is Too Often? What Parents Need to Know About Daycare Injuries in Texas

In just the last year, 678 children between the ages of 0 and 4 experienced serious or fatal injuries at Texas-licensed daycares.

As a parent, that number is terrifying. When you drop your child off at daycare, you trust they’ll be safe, cared for, and protected. But when injuries happen, especially repeatedly, it raises a serious question:

How often is too often for daycare injuries?

Not All Injuries Are Equal

The short answer: any injury that happens at daycare should be acknowledged and investigated.

Children are naturally curious and active, so it’s not uncommon for them to end up with the occasional bump or bruise. But when injuries become more frequent, severe, or don’t make sense, it could be a sign that something is seriously wrong.

Some of the more serious daycare injuries we’ve seen include:

• Broken bones
• Burns
• Head injuries

These types of injuries often result from unsafe environments, lack of supervision, or even outright abuse or neglect.

What Are “Never Events” in Daycare?

In the world of daycare safety, some injuries are considered “never events.” These are catastrophic and entirely preventable situations that should never happen when proper care is being taken.

Examples of never events include:

• Physical abuse, like hitting or shaking
• Neglect, such as leaving children unattended
• Sexual abuse
• Severe falls from playground equipment or furniture
• Choking or suffocation from unsafe toys or sleeping arrangements
• Burns from bottle warmers or heating equipment
• Allergic reactions caused by failure to follow dietary or medical instructions

If your child has experienced any of these, it’s a clear sign that the daycare may not be following the state’s minimum safety standards—and that immediate action is needed.

Warning Signs of an Unsafe Daycare

Red flags that could indicate an unsafe or negligent daycare include:

• A pattern of similar or recurring injuries
• Vague or inconsistent explanations from staff
• A lack of supervision or unqualified caregivers
• Delayed or missing incident reports

A safe daycare will always have safety protocols and be transparent with parents when something happens. These protocols should include:

• Proper staff training
• Low child-to-staff ratios
• Childproofed facilities with regular safety checks
• Clear policies for reporting and managing injuries

What to Do If You Notice a Pattern

If you’re starting to notice injuries happening more often—or if something feels off—here’s what you can do:

1. Seek medical attention. Have a healthcare provider evaluate whether your child’s injuries are consistent with normal activity.
2. Talk to the daycare. Ask for a detailed explanation of how the injury occurred.
3. Document everything. If applicable, keep a log of injuries, dates, conversations, and photos.
4. Report the daycare. If the same issues continue, consider filing a report with Texas Child Care Licensing.
5. Find a new provider. Your child’s safety should always come first.

When to Consider Legal Action

If you believe your child’s injuries were caused by negligence or poor supervision at daycare, you may have legal options.

Our daycare and child injury legal team understands how emotional and complex these situations can be. We’re here to help families uncover the truth, hold negligent daycares accountable, and move forward.

If you’re not quite ready to speak with someone but want to know what steps to take, we’ve created a free 5-step guide to help parents navigate what to do after a daycare injury. You can access it below.

Your child deserves a safe, nurturing environment. If something feels wrong, trust your instincts. We’re here when you’re ready to talk—and we’ll be with you every step of the way. Call us at 214-699-4409, email us at [email protected], or fill out a contact form for a free case evaluation.