There are few things more important than choosing the right daycare for you child. But with the horrible news stories which we sometimes hear, how can we be sure that the most precious people in our lives are protected and safe?

Although not any list can guarantee that your child will be completely safe, here are some characteristics of daycare facilities which are being proactive to safeguard the children.

Signs of a Safe Daycare

Proper Licensing: Any daycare you consider should be properly licensed, and their documents should be clearly displayed. Licensing requirements and written policies provide standardized expectations for child care professionals and parents regarding the child care environment. Standard safety measures help to measure quality – and children are at less risk of getting injured. Meeting the requirements set in place by the National Association of Education of Young Children or the National Association of Family Child Care indicates a higher level of practice. Written procedures should also clearly outline how parents are engaged and contacted should any situation arise involving their child.
Child Care Health Consultant: A health consultant is a licensed professional with expertise in mentoring childcare staff to improve health and safety. If the daycare has a health consultant onsite or on call, the day care may be better equipped to keep your child safe.
Trained in CPR: Accidents happen, and not all of them can be avoided – for that matter, not all accidents mean that the daycare center is negligent. But in order to keep your child as safe as possible, there should always be a staff member on shift who is trained in both pediatric CPR and first aid. The more staff members who are certified, the better. Don’t just take their word for it, ask to see papers and certifications.
Ratios are Important: Caregiver-to-child ratios lead to an appropriate level of supervision in the classroom. While states requirements may vary, experts recommend one adult caregiver for every 4 infants or young toddlers under the age of 2; one adult caregiver for every 6 children between the age of 2 and 3; and one adult caregiver for every 9 preschool age children.
Spaces are Child Proofed: You put quite a bit of effort into child-proofing your home, and you should expect the same from your choice of a daycare center for your child. Some non-negotiable procedures should include: properly secured window blind cords, cribs out of reach of windows and cords, outlets secured, any stairwells blocked, changing tables and high chairs have safety straps, clean and well cared for toys, and all possibly toxic substances well out of reach.
Positive Reinforcement: Discipline in a day care center should never be harsh or physical, and children should be gently guided towards good behavior.
Staff Morale: People change jobs, that is just a fact of life. But if the daycare center has a high level of turnover, this can be very disruptive to children who crave stability. It can also indicate that the staff as a whole is dissatisfied with the working conditions in the facility, and this may be indicative of an overall issue with how it is run.

Parents should also seek for a center which allows an open door policy – they should be able to drop by unannounced and observe their child’s classroom. Parents should always be made to feel comfortable about asking questions of the administration or staff, and should never feel as if they are “interfering”.

If you feel that your child’s Sarasota daycare acted in a negligent manner or did not properly alert you to a situation involving your child, first attempt to work out the situation with the administration. If you cannot get the answers you require, call Probinsky & Cole. We will help you to determine if there is a reason to pursue the issue further.