The Dangers of Sending Children to Unlicensed Daycares

Is It Ever Okay to Send Your Child to an Unlicensed Daycare?

Finding the right daycare for your child can be one of the most stressful decisions you’ll make as a parent. You’re not just looking for convenience or affordability—you’re trusting someone else to care for your little one, often for hours at a time. And with the rising cost of childcare, it’s understandable that some families start considering cheaper options, including unlicensed daycares.

But at The Button Law Firm, we’ve seen firsthand how dangerous those setups can be. As attorneys who help families after daycare injuries and abuse, we often get this question:
“Is it okay if my kids go to an unlicensed daycare?”

Our answer is simple: we strongly advise against it.

The Risks of Unlicensed Daycares

While the lower price tag of an unlicensed daycare may seem appealing, these facilities often lack the oversight and safety standards licensed centers must meet. Licensed daycares must follow strict regulations set by the state, covering everything from caregiver-to-child ratios and discipline policies to safety checks and emergency preparedness.

On the other hand, unlicensed daycares operate without this level of scrutiny. There’s no regular monitoring from child care licensing agencies, no guarantee of staff training, and no accountability to ensure the safety and well-being of the children in their care.

That means caregivers in these settings may not:

• Keep hot appliances, sharp objects, or choking hazards out of reach

• Group children by appropriate age ranges

• Properly supervise or feed children

• Use safe and developmentally appropriate discipline methods

When safety standards aren’t followed, kids are at a much higher risk of serious injury—or worse.

What If Something Goes Wrong?

Another major issue with unlicensed daycares is that they’re often uninsured. This puts families in a tough spot if something happens to their child. Without insurance coverage, parents are frequently left responsible for medical bills, therapy costs, and other expenses that come with an injury or traumatic experience.

In some of the cases we’ve handled, families discovered after an incident that the daycare wasn’t even legally allowed to operate. And because of that, there was little to no legal recourse available to hold the caregivers accountable.

Unfortunately, we see this happen more often than most people realize.

What You Can Do to Protect Your Child

Choosing the right daycare can feel overwhelming, especially when balancing quality care with affordability. But it’s important to prioritize licensed and insured providers who are committed to your child’s safety.

If you’re not sure where to start, we’ve got a free resource that can help. Our team created a downloadable guide called 10 Tips for Finding a Safe Daycare. It walks parents through the key questions to ask, red flags to watch for, and steps you can take to ensure your child is in a safe and supportive environment.

You can find the guide linked below.

We’re Here If You Need Us

If you’re navigating a daycare decision or if something has already gone wrong and you don’t know what to do next, you’re not alone. The Button Law Firm is here to support families like yours with compassion, clarity, and guidance—no matter what stage you’re in.

We believe every child deserves a safe place to grow and thrive. And every parent deserves peace of mind. Call us at 214-699-4409, email us at [email protected], or fill out a contact form for a free case evaluation.