Due to strict laws being enforced by the government in daycare centers and homes, majority of these daycare facilities are meeting the state regulations but one cannot rule out neglect or abuse by careless providers. There have been several instances of children abuse like in the case in Philadelphia where child abuse was caught on tape and several others including a case where 10 kids were fed with wiper fluid mistaken for kool aid in Arkansas.

Numerous cases go unreported and it is estimated that 5.9 children per 10,000 enrolled are abused in daycare centers and 8.9 children per 10,000 in home or family daycare. That seems to be a small number, about 0.059% and 0.089% respectively but ask yourself what if your child fall in those numbers. The best option is to use your common sense in choosing where you would want your child to be cared for.

Highlighted below, is a handy checklist that you should have when choosing your daycare provider, material provided by National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agency (naccrra).

(1.) Will my child be supervised – the following are the recommended caregiver to children ratio

• One caregiver per 3 or 4 infants
• One caregiver per 3 or 4 young toddlers
• One caregiver per 4 to 6 older toddlers
• One caregiver per 6 to 9 preschoolers

(2.) Have the adults been trained to care for children? -Has the provider had specific training on children’s development and experience caring for children? This very vital in the case of emergency where CPR is needed.

(3)Will my child be able to grow and learn? – The environment should be conducive for child development such as having toys with educative motive for toddlers and caregivers engaging in educational communication with older children.

(4.) Is the place  safe and healthy for my child?- By observation, verify that sanitary procedures are followed such as care givers washing hands before and after handling food or after using bathroom. Diaper changing zones cleaned and sanitized. All medicine is kept in a safe place. Ensure that the place is clean. A first aid kit should be within vicinity.

(5.) To be safe, do a background check on the caregiver- check for criminal history and last but not least.

(6.) Evaluate whether the program is set to promote quality and work well with parents -Remember this is your child you should get involved in whatever decisions are made in the day care.

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