When you leave your child with a daycare provider, you expect them to be safe, nurtured, and well taken care of until you arrive to collect them. However, that’s sadly not every parent’s experience. Not every daycare is as safe as it advertises, and children can be at risk. If you suspect that your child’s daycare is unsafe, or that something feels ‘off,’ trust your instincts. Act quickly, calmly, and methodically, and take the following actions:
Pay Attention to Warning Signs
As soon as your instincts tell you that something is off about your child’s daycare, pay attention to warning signs. If your child sustains an injury while at daycare, try to learn more by asking questions.
You should also take note of unexplained injuries, sudden changes in your child’s behavior, dirty or unsafe conditions, and lack of proper supervision. Even employees being unwilling to answer basic questions and high staff turnover can be red flags.
Document Everything
As you start paying attention to warning signs, document everything, especially as they relate to your own child. For example, if your child comes home with bruises, take photos and write down the dates, times, and details of any injuries.
If you contact daycare staff about anything, save the emails and messages. For in-person conversations, note as many details as possible and list who was present. This information may all be crucial if you need to escalate your concerns and take legal action.
Talk to Your Child
Communicating with your child about their experiences at their daycare isn’t always straightforward. For example, some children who can’t accurately communicate their feelings may show their fear or discomfort through clinginess, nightmares, or regression.
However, you may gather helpful information by approaching the situation gently and asking open-ended questions. ‘What did you do today?’ ‘Who helped you when you were upset?’ and ‘Did anything make you feel scared or uncomfortable?’ are just some of the many questions you may ask. Refrain from asking leading questions and don’t pressure your child to speak if they aren’t comfortable doing so.
Speak with the Daycare Director
As a parent, you want your child to have positive childhood experiences. If a childcare facility is potentially preventing that from happening, it’s time to talk to the daycare director. Request a private meeting and present your concerns calmly. Be sure to reference specific examples and ask for information about safety procedures, supervision policies, staff training, and background checks.
As your meeting progresses, pay attention to how they respond. If they are vague, dismissive, or defensive, you may wish to take your concerns further. At this time, it can also be helpful to search the childcare licensing database in your state to check for your daycare’s inspection history, any past violations, its current licensing status, and any complaints filed.
Remove Your Child and Report Serious Concerns
If you don’t believe your child is safe in their daycare, remove them. You don’t have to wait until an investigation concludes to do so. You should also report any serious concerns you have regarding safety violations, abuse, and neglect to your childcare licensing agency, Child Protective Services, and local law enforcement.
Every parent deserves peace of mind knowing their child is in a safe, nurturing environment when attending a daycare facility. As soon as you don’t feel that way, pay attention. Take these steps to get to the bottom of it and ensure your child’s safety.
