Our team of experienced Are Security Cameras Required by Texas Childcare Laws?
Shockingly, the state of Texas does not require licensed daycare and childcare centers to operate with security and surveillance cameras. However, with technological advancements and requests from busy working parents who wish to virtually check in on their child, many daycare centers have installed cameras.
Without a mandate in Texas childcare laws, also known as the minimum standards, parents cannot expect this added layer of protection. We believe this lack of regulations leaves room for uncertainty, making it difficult for parents to verify what is happening inside a daycare center when they are not present. This is especially challenging when parents suspect something is happening to an infant who has yet to learn how to talk or a child with special needs who is unable to fully communicate.
Two incidents at daycare centers in Minnesota—one involving the mistreatment of children and the other involving illegal drugs—have state lawmakers and lawyers calling for mandated cameras in local centers. And Texas parents are asking for a similar law to be introduced by the state legislature. After his daughter was sexually assaulted at a daycare center in Lockhart, a father is advocating for video monitoring systems in childcare facilities across the state.
Our team firmly believes that when children's safety and well-being are at stake, the benefits of security cameras at daycare centers far outweigh any potential drawbacks, such as cost or privacy concerns.
How Can Security Cameras Help Prevent Abuse and Neglect in Daycare Centers?
One of the most significant reasons to require security cameras in daycare centers is their potential to prevent child abuse and neglect. When caregivers know they are being monitored and recorded, they are more likely to follow the minimum standards and treat children with the care and respect they deserve. In these instances, cameras act as a deterrent against harmful behavior, discouraging any form of mistreatment.
Additionally, security cameras provide daycare administrators with a tool to monitor caregivers throughout the facility in real-time. (The minimum standards require daycare directors and administrators to closely supervise caregivers throughout the day to ensure all children are safe.) If directors notice that a caregiver appears to be overwhelmed or is not handling a situation appropriately, they can intervene before a child is harmed. This proactive approach ensures that caregivers remain accountable for their actions and adhere to the highest standards of childcare.
What Role Can Security Cameras Play in Daycare Abuse Cases?
While preventing abuse is the primary goal, security cameras at a daycare center also serve a crucial role in proving abuse. In cases where a child is injured or mistreated, it can be challenging for parents to obtain clear answers. Our experienced daycare injury lawyers have handled cases involving centers that prioritize profits over child safety. They try to cover up any safety failures by altering their description of how an incident or injury occurred or even denying a child’s injury occurred at the center. This is especially common when a young child is incapable of explaining what happened to them.
That’s why surveillance footage can be the key to unlocking the truth when parents have questions about an incident or if their child appears to have bruises or other signs of injury. The recorded footage provides undeniable evidence of what took place and can help families get justice. In fact, surveillance footage has helped our team get justice for numerous families across Texas by holding daycare centers accountable for harming little ones. Here is a small sampling of these legal victories:
- How The Button Law Firm Held a Fort Worth Daycare Center Accountable for Abusing a 2-Year-Old Boy
- Mesquite Daycare Center’s Failure to Comply with Safety Laws Exposed in Girl’s Back Injury Case
- BLF Lawyers Get Justice for Rockwall Family in Daycare Head Injury Case
- Carrollton Family Gets Justice in Daycare Abuse Case, Thanks to BLF Lawyers
Without video documentation, many abuse cases turn into frustrating battles of a parent’s word against that of a daycare center.
Even when a daycare center has security cameras, we encourage parents to speak with their child about a suspected daycare injury and their experience at the center. Use our tips for age-appropriate ways to talk to your child about daycare injuries in this article.
How Can I Find a Daycare Center That Uses Security Cameras?
While security cameras are not required in Texas daycare centers, we encourage parents to find daycare centers that use security cameras. Here are some more resources and tips to help you find a safe daycare center for your child:
- What Questions Should I Ask During a Daycare Tour?
- 10 Tips for Finding a Safe Daycare Center
- Finding a Safe Daycare Video Series
- Top 5 Questions Every Parent Should Ask Before Choosing a Daycare Center
Was Your Child Harmed at a Daycare Center? Contact The Button Law Firm.
If your child was physically or emotionally harmed because caregivers did not comply with Texas daycare safety laws, contact our experienced daycare and child 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.
.png)
.png)
