Top 5 Questions Every Parent Should Ask Before Choosing a Daycare Center

2. How Does The Daycare Center Communicate with Parents?

As you may already know, effective communication between parents and daycare staff is essential for a safe and positive experience. A green flag indicating a safe daycare center is an open-door policy that encourages parents to check in with the director or your child’s caregivers anytime. (This includes making unannounced visits.) Some centers provide daily reports, newsletters, or even use an activity tracking app to update parents on a child’s meals, naps, and activities throughout the day. It is also important to ask about the center’s communication methods and processes for notifying parents in the event a child gets ill, is injured, or experiences an emergency.

3. How Do Caregivers Handle Discipline or Behavioral Problems?

Sadly, little ones are at risk of experiencing physical and emotional abuse when daycare centers cut corners when hiring qualified caregivers. Our experienced daycare injury lawyers have seen a spike in these instances, especially when it comes to unqualified caregivers using unapproved discipline methods. That’s why asking about the daycare’s discipline policy is important, including how caregivers manage common behavioral issues like tantrums or sharing disputes between little ones. Per the minimum standards, punishment tactics should use age-appropriate discipline strategies with positive reinforcement techniques that focus on redirecting a child rather than spanking, hitting, slapping, or name-calling. Any form of physical punishment or shaming—such as leaving a child alone in a room–should be a red flag.

4. Does The Daycare Center Have Live Surveillance Cameras? If So, How Can I Check on My Child?

Many daycare centers have embraced technological advances and have surveillance cameras installed throughout the center. These cameras help provide transparency to parents and are an excellent tool for classroom safety accountability—daycare directors should frequently review footage to ensure caregivers comply with minimum standards. In the event a child is harmed at the center, surveillance footage can help reveal exactly what happened at the daycare center and hold the center and relevant caregivers accountable. Some camera systems even offer a live streaming option so parents can virtually check in on their child throughout the workday. If the daycare center does not have cameras, ask about how you can stay informed about your child’s well-being.

5. What Qualifications and Training Are Required for The Caregivers at The Center? 

The Texas minimum standards have strict guidelines for caregivers at daycare centers. Workers must have a high school or equivalent diploma, pass a background check, have a current medical record showing they do not have contagious diseases like tuberculosis, and meet state-defined education and experience qualifications. In addition, daycare centers are required to provide ongoing training to ensure caregivers know and follow the minimum standards when looking after little ones. In addition to caregiver qualifications, asking a daycare center about its staff turnover is important. For example, high turnover or several newly hired teachers can indicate poor working conditions or management issues. Some daycare centers desperate for workers may be tempted to cut corners and forgo best hiring practices to add more teachers.

For more questions to ask a director or owner during a daycare tour, check out this FAQ article.

More Resources to Help Find a Daycare Center for Your Child

Our experienced daycare injury lawyers have created several free guides and articles to inform you about daycare safety and give you peace of mind to make the best decision for your family:

• 10 Tips for Finding a Safe Daycare Center
• The Importance of Touring a Daycare Center
• How Do I Find a Safe Daycare Center for My Child?

Was Your Child Harmed at a Daycare Center in Texas? Contact The Button Law Firm.

If your child was physically or emotionally harmed because a daycare center did not comply with Texas childcare safety laws, contact our experienced daycare injury lawyers at The Button Law Firm. With lawyers in Dallas, Houston, and Midland, we are ready to listen, fight for your family, and help your family move forward. Our lawyers at The Button Law Firm are recognized on the prestigious Texas Super Lawyers list, and we can help guide you after a traumatizing incident involving your child. We work on contingency, meaning we don’t charge you or collect any upfront fees to get started on your case. Call us at 214-699-4409, email us at [email protected], or fill out a contact form for a free case evaluation.