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How Safe Is Your Childcare?
Ensuring Your Child Is in Good Hands
By Teri Brown
McDonald suggests asking if your prospective daycare giver belongs to such an organization or is involved in continuing education. "My colleagues and I have thrown up our hands over how little research some parents put into finding quality daycare," says McDonald. "Some put more research into buying a car than they do finding a place for their child. Parents really need to have a consumer mentality when it comes to childcare."
According to McDonald, having a consumer mentality means shopping around before you buy: checking the prospective homes for how childproof they are, learning how often the provider attends continuing education classes and finding out if the provider is certified. "It's very important that parents know the difference between certified and licensed," says McDonald. "Most states have their own regulations concerning childcare, and parents need to educate themselves on what they are. Then you will know the policy on things such as background checks, first aid certification and food handling."
Traci Amor, mother of three from Livermore, Calif., learned about childcare safety the hard way. After placing her child in what she thought was a quality daycare, she learned the place was about to be shut down for failing health codes and abuse. "It turned out to be a huge mistake," says Amor.
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