When Should a Daycare Notify Parents of an Incident?

Immediate Notification for Serious Incidents at Daycare

Daycares should notify parents as soon as possible when a serious incident occurs. Serious incidents include:

• Injuries requiring medical attention – If a child suffers a significant injury such as a deep cut, broken bone, head injury, or any other harm that may need professional medical treatment, parents should be contacted immediately.
• Allergic reactions or medical emergencies – If a child experiences an allergic reaction, seizure, or any other health emergency, daycare staff should call emergency services first (if necessary) and notify parents immediately afterward.
• Child endangerment situations – If a child is involved in an incident that jeopardizes their safety, such as an accident involving unsafe equipment, exposure to hazardous materials, or an unauthorized individual attempting to pick up the child, parents should be informed right away.
• Physical altercations – If a child is seriously injured due to another child’s aggressive behavior, the daycare should contact the parents promptly and explain the situation. 

Same-Day Notification for Minor Incidents at Daycare

Not all incidents require an immediate call, but parents should still be informed the same day the event occurs. These incidents might include:

• Minor scrapes and bruises – If a child trips and falls, leading to minor cuts or bruising, parents should be informed at pickup with a written or verbal report.
• Behavioral concerns—If a child is involved in a nonviolent behavioral issue, such as an argument or noncompliance with daycare rules, daycare staff should communicate with parents at the end of the day.
• Mild illness symptoms – If a child shows signs of mild illness (e.g., slight fever, runny nose, mild cough), parents should be made aware so they can monitor symptoms at home.

What Should Daycares Include in Incident Reports?

For both serious and minor incidents, most states require daycares to complete an incident report. This document should include:

• The date and time of the incident
• Details of what happened
• Any injuries sustained
• Actions taken by the daycare staff
• Any medical attention provided
• Witnesses to the event
• Staff signatures
• A section for parents to acknowledge receipt of the report

Parents should receive a copy of this report, and the daycare should keep a copy for their records.

What to Do If a Daycare Fails to Notify You

If a daycare fails to inform you of an incident involving your child, follow these steps:

1. Ask for an explanation – Speak with the daycare director or staff member responsible for supervising your child at the time of the incident.
2. Request documentation – Ask for a written incident report detailing what happened.
3. Review daycare policies – Check if the daycare’s policies align with state regulations on incident reporting.
4. Monitor your child’s condition – If your child was injured, seek medical attention and document any symptoms or behavioral changes.
5. Report your concerns – If the daycare repeatedly fails to report incidents, you may need to file a complaint with your state’s childcare licensing agency.

If your child was severely injured and the daycare failed to notify you, it may indicate negligence. In such cases, contacting an experienced daycare injury lawyer can help you understand your legal options and seek justice for your child.

Contact The Button Law Firm After a Daycare Injury

At The Button Law Firm, we are dedicated to holding negligent daycares accountable and ensuring that families receive the justice they deserve. If your child was injured at daycare and you were not properly informed, our team is here to help. Call us at 214-699-4409, email us at [email protected], or fill out a contact form for a free case evaluation.