As your child celebrates their first birthday, you must be planning to send them to a daycare center. That’s a wise decision, especially if you’re a working parent. About 6.38 million—or 58%—of working parents with children five years and below send their kids to daycare centers.
Day nurseries or daycare centers provide opportunities for socialization and various educational activities that might be challenging to replicate in a home setting. Though beneficial, these facilities can sometimes be unsafe for children.
This June, a toddler lost their foot after it was trapped underneath a running lawn mower at a Quincy daycare. Now, this is just one incident that came to light. Many more such instances take place all over the U.S. As a parent, it’s your responsibility to ensure your child’s health and safety in a day nursery.
With 575,528 daycare centers already there, how would you know which one offers a safe and healthy environment? It can be hard but not impossible. Here, we’ll share some things that you can do to choose a daycare center that meets high standards and your expectations.
#1 Research and Visit Multiple Centers
Over a thousand daycare centers are located in every state of the U.S., but not all of them offer quality service or are up to par.
Before settling on a daycare center, take the time to research each that you shortlist. Reviews of other parents are the best way to determine whether a daycare facility offers what it claims. You’ll find reviews online, so look for them on Google and third-party sites like Yelp.
Don’t just rely on online reviews; visit each facility in person. Your visit will help you understand the overall atmosphere of the center. Pay attention to the cleanliness to see if the floors, toys, and common areas are clean and well-maintained.
Check out the flooring. Tile or marble flooring might look appealing. But they aren’t the safest options. Your child can slip and fall, injuring themselves on these floors. Cushioned, PVC or wooden flooring are child-safe flooring options. Choose a daycare center that has these installed since they provide a softer surface that minimizes the risk of injuries.
#2 Inspect the Facility’s Safety Measures
Violence, especially those involving guns, is on the rise in the U.S. Daycare centers are also not spared by attackers.
Earlier this year, a shooter entered a daycare facility in Springfield, Virginia, and shot 2 women. Over 70 children were present at the center, but thankfully, none of them were hurt. For your child’s safety, you must always inspect the safety measures of the day nursery you plan to enroll your child in. It should have secure entry points to prevent unauthorized access.
Injuries are also common in daycare centers, and they usually occur during playtime. Check if the outdoor play area is cushioned to reduce injury risks from falls. Also, make sure the center has CCTV surveillance on the premises. In some cases, workers are to blame for injuries in daycare centers since they hit children.
The St. Louis daycare center, A Brighter Future Childcare and Development Center, sued by Diona Harrold-Paige this March, is a case in point. When Diona picked up her two children from the daycare center, she noticed facial scratches and a bump on the forehead of her four-year-old autistic son. Her three-year-old daughter was also injured.
She demanded the video footage and found that a worker hit her children with paint-stirring sticks and dragged them onto the ground. Diona filed a personal injury lawsuit on behalf of her children.
Should anyone harm your child, you can always access the recording and file a personal injury lawsuit. A St. Louis personal injury lawyer can help you navigate the complex legal landscape. Consider hiring them. Just make sure you ask for the video footage from the daycare center and give it to your attorney. They will evaluate the evidence and build a strong case.
When hiring a lawyer, make sure you choose an experienced one. An experienced personal injury attorney, TorHoerman Law explains, can help you recover your current and future medical bills and other damages associated with your case.
#3 Evaluate the Nutrition Program
Children must eat a healthy, balanced diet rich in minerals, vitamins, carbohydrates, protein, and fats. Such a diet supports their growth and development.
Per Healthdirect Australia, eating healthy foods in childhood will minimize your child’s risk of developing chronic health issues like obesity, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers.
Your child will stay at the daycare center for, say, half a day every day. They will have meals there. It makes sense to check the nutrition program of the daycare center you plan to enroll your child in.
Review the meal and snack menus to ensure the facility offers balanced, nutritious options. The menu must contain fruits, vegetables, whole grain foods like oats, and lean proteins like eggs and cheese. Inquire with the authorities if they can tailor their menu according to dietary restrictions or allergies. Also, ask them how they handle picky eaters.
Try visiting during meal times. That way, you can see if the center promotes a positive eating environment where children learn about healthy choices and proper table manners.
All things considered, deciding on a daycare center where your child remains safe and their well-being is prioritized is not an easy task. But, if you take these aspects into account, you will be able to choose a center that provides a nurturing, safe, and healthy space for your child’s growth and development.
